Growing Tree At Rooted & Rising

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park is a non-profit organization that has been serving the Washington Park neighborhood since 1962. Our mission is to provide high-quality early childhood education and care to children and families in our community.

We are seeking an Early Childhood Educator to join our team at The Growing Tree Children’s Center. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our growth and transition to a more intentional and structured approach to early education, focusing on outdoor education and holistic learning.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with young children, a commitment to our organization’s mission, and the ability to build strong relationships with children and their families.

We are looking for someone who is dedicated, energetic, and willing to go above and beyond to provide the best possible care and education for our children.

1. The Early Childhood Educator will work collaboratively with other teachers and staff to plan and execute daily activities for children in art, music, language, and motor development, including outdoor play.
2. She/He will also plan and execute weekly activities for children in science, math, and multicultural experiences.
3. Responsibilities will include maintaining a portfolio of children’s observations, assessments, and growth, and ensuring the welfare, health, and safety of all children in the Center.
4. She/He will actively meet the individual needs of all children, participating in training as necessary to ensure these needs are met.
5. Regularly evaluating each child’s progress and providing written reports using data obtained from observations, interactions, and assessments, maintained in the child’s portfolio, and shared with parents at least twice per year during parent conferences.
6. Providing a safe, secure, and confidential environment for all children, and working flexibly and cooperatively with staff, administration, and parents.
7. Attending parent conferences as necessary, staff meetings, and parent functions, and participating in additional assignments and tasks as designated by Growing Tree and/or Rooted & Rising administration.
8. Being available to eat meals with children when in the classroom, and meeting all reporting requirements of the position.
9. Ensuring adherence to established standards of courtesy, discipline, attendance, and dress code, and contributing to the growth, development, and mission of Rooted & Rising – Washington Park.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain within 60 days of employment)
• Physical requirements include frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, lifting up to 25 lbs. without assistance and the use of hands and fingers to manage equipment and materials
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and lead physical activities
• High energy level and the ability to work collaboratively with staff, children and families
• Knowledge of positive behavior guidance and redirection strategies
• Must pass required background checks and health screenings
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong lesson planning, problem-solving and classroom/group management skills
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with children in a preschool, childcare, or other educational setting
• Excellent leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Dedication to the mission of Rooted & Rising and the people we serve
• Ability to manage stressful situations, multi-task and stay on schedule
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer proficiency
• Vision abilities include close-range and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception
• Demonstrated understanding of child development
• Demonstrated awareness of boundary/safety and confidentiality issues inherent to childcare
• Sound judgement and reasoning skills, particularly as it applies to child safety and well-being

• ECE Technical Degree, Infant & Toddler Credential or completion of 12 ECE-related credits, Introduction to Child Care Profession, Skills & Strategies for the Child Care Teacher, Infant/Toddler, Child Abuse & Neglect, SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Proven classroom and behavior management experience with school-age children
• Previous infant and toddler experience preferred
• Experience or training in diverse communities and inclusive educational settings
• Experience with nature-based, outdoor or experiential learning programs

• 403(b) Retirement/savings plan
• Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Allowance (ICHRA)
• Discounted on-site Early Education and Care at The Growing Tree
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Paid sick-time
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Established in 1962, Rooted & Rising - Washington Park (formerly UMCS) has a deep commitment to and long-standing presence in Milwaukee’s Washington Park neighborhood, where it has provided a wide range of social service programs and assistance to low-income, marginalized families, including childcare, supportive housing, community health promotion, community organizing, emergency food pantry and family resource center services, and social work.

Having served as a staple in the Washington Park community since 1998, The Growing Tree Children's Center looks to take on new initiatives as we continue to grow. Our goal is to transition from traditional childcare to early education with an emphasis on outdoor education. A move that requires a shift in focus from simple care to intentional, structured planning and environments, as we immerse ourselves in holistic learning using the world around us.