Under the supervision of the Director of Early Learning and the direction of the Classroom Teacher, a successful incumbent may work independently in the absence of the teacher but for the majority of the time works with the teacher in the classroom.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Relationships – assists in

• Building strong partnerships with families
• Establishing on-going community with families, children and co-workers
• Developing and maintaining effective classroom team

Curriculum – assists in

• Implementing developmentally appropriate practice in the five key areas of practice
• Planning and responsibility for and implementing weekly lesson plans in all domains using the Creative Curriculum Goals and Objectives
• Preparation of lesson plans in cooperation with the teachers

Teaching – assists in

• Creating an inviting and positive learning environment across all domains using Creative Curriculum
• Using intentional and purposeful multiple instructional methods
• Supervision of all classroom activities
• Implementing lesson plans with the assistance and cooperation of the teacher

Assessment – assists in

• Conducting ongoing observations and documentation of the children
• Maintaining portfolios and observation notes for every child with the assistance of the teacher Conducting yearly screening of every child
• Referring children for additional assessment to the appropriate professionals in a timely fashion
• Preparing Individual Child Profiles and Child Progress and Planning Reports for family conferences three times a year

Health and Safety – assists in

• Assuring a safe and secure environment in the classroom and throughout the center
• Promoting the complete physical, oral and mental health and social well-being of children because health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Families

• Assists in establishing and maintaining positive and effective relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development
• Is sensitive to the diversity of children, their families and co-workers, including but not limited to family composition, language and culture
• Maintains confidentiality of children and parents
• Assists in reinforcing a families’ responsibility in their child’s education, growth and development

Community Relationships – assists in

• Developing community resources outside the scope of the program
• Building reciprocal relationship with community groups to achieve the center’s goals for curriculum, health promotion, children’s transitions, inclusion and diversity
• Advocating on behalf of children and families
• Networking with other early care and education professionals

Physical Environment – assists in

• Setting up and maintaining the classroom’s physical environment to foster learning, comfort, health and safety of children, parents and colleagues
• Assuring that the classroom is accessible to all

Leadership and Management

• Knowledge of and adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the organization generally and of the center specifically
• Adherence to the policies and procedures of the organization and the center
• Be a role model for the classroom and for the center
• Be proactive in identifying problems and providing solutions
• Being a willing participant in continuing educational growth and development

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• An Early Childhood Certificate or
• Current CDA with 12 ECE credits or
• 3 or more ECE credits or currently enrolled in ECE education program at an accredited institution
• Experience and/or training in working with children under six years old

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Effective interpersonal skills, effective communication, organizational and guidance skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse children, families and co-workers
• Specific preparation, knowledge and skill in Early Childhood Education
• Strong, positive and nurturing approach to the care and education of children

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (picking up children when necessary and retrieve supplies)
• Ability to stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel or crouch (To work with and communicate with children at their level and to keep classroom tidy)
• Move throughout the classroom (and outdoors) supervising children
• Stand for long periods of time
• Walk or run for long periods of time
• Sit on the floor for periods of time
• Walk up/down flight of stairs daily

This is a full time, non-exempt position, scheduled for 35 hours per week.