Job Opportunities

Co-Lead Teacher

Hours: 26 hours per week, Monday, Wednesday-Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm

Ages: 17 Months – 5 Years

Co-Lead Teacher in a mixed-age room with up-to 14 children aged 17 months through 5 years. This position will be a part of a 4 person team consisting of this position, an experienced KidsPark co-lead teacher, an assistant teacher and a float teacher. The Co-Lead Teachers will be responsible for supervising the assistant teacher and the float teacher when in their room. The co-lead teachers will be responsible for writing an article for the quarterly KidsPark community newsletter.

Float Teacher

Hours: 18 hours per week, Monday, 8:30 – 1:00pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30am – 3:30.

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Float Teacher, spending one day in each of the four primary KidsPark teaching roles (Mixed Age co-lead teachers, Infant Room teacher, Prep teacher). This will allow each classroom teacher to have a 4-day student-facing week. This position will be a part of a 4 person team in the mixed age room consisting of this position, an experienced KidsPark co-lead teacher, a second co-lead teacher and a float teacher. The float teacher will be supervised by the co-lead teachers. This position must be qualified to work with children age 6 weeks through age 5.

Assistant Teacher

Hours: 18 hours per week, Tuesday-Friday 8:30am – 1:00 pm

Ages: 17 Months – 5 Years

Assistant Teacher in a mixed-age room with up-to 14 children aged 17 months through 5 years. This position will be a part of a 4 person team consisting of this position, an experienced KidsPark co-lead teacher, a second co-lead teacher and a float teacher. The assistant teacher will be supervised by the co-lead teachers.

Lead Preschool Teacher

Hours: 23 hours per week initially. Tuesday and Thursday 8:30am – 1:00pm; Wednesday and Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm.

Additional Hours: Field trips on Tuesday/Thursday may increase the day to 8:30-3:30, but would be known well in advance as the position will be setting the schedule.

Ages: 3.5-5 Years

Lead Preschool Teacher with up-to 7 children aged 3.5 through 5 years. This position will be the primary teacher for this age group. Our preschool program has evolved to be a meet and explore offering. The children meet at KidsPark and explore our community experience using neighborhood walks and the metro transit system to explore our community. This group will meet at the Jimmy Lee Recreation center to swim on Wednesdays, and as weather allows, will head back to Desnoyer Park after lunch and will attend circus classes at Circus Juventas on Fridays. Additionally, the ideal candidate would plan other outings to Children’s Theater, Minnesota Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Ballet and others as the teacher sees possible. This position will work with the executive director on Wednesday and Friday initially and as needed. Additionally, this person must be able to work with parent volunteers providing guidance and modeling as needed. The lead preschool teacher will be responsible for writing an article for the quarterly KidsPark community newsletter.

How to Apply

What is KidsPark?

KidsPark is a Reggio Emilia influenced child care provider in the Desnoyer Park neighborhood in St. Paul. KidsPark was founded in 1988 as a cooperative child care to provide an care option for families needing less than full-time care. We are licensed as a drop-in child care center through the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services.

What is the teaching philosophy at KidsPark?

We believe children are capable and curious, desiring to build their competencies and meaningfully participate and contribute to their communities. We provide these opportunities in a play-based environment, concentrating on being outdoors as much as possible throughout the year. In the spring-autumn, we are frequently outside all morning, only coming inside to use the bathroom, diaper changes, wash hands and nap. In the winter, we play outside in the snow.

What are you looking for in a candidate?

Desired candidates for all positions will:

  • be a curious learner themselves,
  • welcome children, families, staff and volunteers into the KidsPark community,
  • acknowledge that children are capable and curious and guide them into deeper learning,
  • accept coworkers, children and caregivers where they are in their learning and development,
  • foster relationships, independence, growth and self-confidence in the children in our care and their families.
Are staff required to work evenings / weekends?

As a cooperative community, we have some evening and weekend events that our teachers are expected to attend, including trainings and organizational meetings. These events will be identified on our calendar.

Do you offer benefits / child care?

Benefits include earned sick and safe time; paid vacation; paid holidays; personal professional development budget; discounted child care, and YMCA membership discount.

If you are interested in being a future employee at KidsPark, please submit a letter explaining why you are interested, a copy of your resume and be ready for three references. Additionally, we are frequently in need of substitute teachers.  Please email application materials to: erica@kidsparkdropin.org OR mail application materials to: KidsPark, 525 Pelham Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55104.