Benefits:
Competitive salary
Employee discounts
Paid time off
Training & development
The Learning Experience – Mt. Pleasant
SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher
Position Details
Location: The Learning Experience – Mt. Pleasant 407 Faison Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 Program: South Carolina First Steps 4K (CERDEP) Job Type: Full-Time Compensation: Based on education and experience
About The Learning Experience & SC First Steps 4K
The Learning Experience (TLE) – Mt. Pleasant partners with South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness to deliver high-quality, free 4K education through the Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP), commonly known as First Steps 4K.
First Steps 4K serves eligible four-year-old children at no cost to families and is co-administered by SC First Steps in private preschool settings. Through this partnership, TLE provides a nurturing, standards-aligned learning environment that prepares children for kindergarten success while supporting families and strengthening school readiness statewide.
Job Purpose
The SC First Steps 4K Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and academically rigorous classroom environment that supports the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of four-year-old children. The Lead Teacher plans and implements instruction aligned with the SC Early Learning Standards, First Steps 4K requirements, and TLE’s L.E.A.P.® curriculum to ensure students are fully prepared for kindergarten.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet South Carolina First Steps 4K eligibility requirements, including:
Associate’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field AND enrollment in or completion of a teacher education program within four years
Minimum of six months experience in a licensed childcare or early learning setting
Ability to pass:
SLED background check
DSS Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect
Two professional references familiar with work history
Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum & Instruction
Develop and implement weekly lesson plans aligned with:
SC Early Learning Standards
First Steps 4K approved curriculum
TLE’s L.E.A.P.® Program
Use child observations, assessments, and progress monitoring to individualize instruction
Prepare students for successful transition into five-year-old kindergarten
Maintain documentation required for First Steps monitoring and compliance
Classroom & Compliance
Maintain a classroom that meets:
SC DSS licensing regulations
First Steps 4K program requirements
TLE health and safety standards
Participate in First Steps site visits, monitoring, and audits as required
Ensure accurate attendance, enrollment, and child record documentation
Child & Family Engagement
Build strong partnerships with families through:
Regular communication
Family engagement activities
Support of attendance and school readiness goals
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times
Professional Development
Attend all required:
SC First Steps trainings
DSS licensing trainings
TLE professional development
Complete all required continuing education hours annually
Demonstrate ongoing growth in early childhood best practices
Team Collaboration
Work collaboratively with:
Assistant Teachers
Center Leadership
First Steps Program Coordinators
Support center-wide quality improvement and accreditation goals
Why Join TLE – Mt. Pleasant First Steps 4K?
Be part of a state-supported, high-impact early education initiative
Serve children who benefit most from early learning access
Receive ongoing training through both TLE and SC First Steps
Join a mission-driven, professional early childhood education team
Make a lasting difference in school readiness for South Carolina children
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to The Learning Experience Corporate.