Requirements:

• Must meet EEC teacher requirements
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in ECE or related field; commensurate experience considered
• Willing and able to pursue higher education in accordance with NAEYC, and state guidelines for ECE teachers.
• Current First-Aid and CPR certification
• Evidence of physical exam, and MMR verification
• Physical constraints required include the ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid, the ability to see and read newsprint with or without corrective lenses, to speak and be understood under normal circumstances, to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds, and the use of arms, hands, legs, and feet with or without corrective devices to accomplish the job, including evacuation of the building during emergencies.

Job Description:

Interactions with Children

The goal of teachers at The Kids’ Place is to provide a warm, nurturing, safe, and loving environment where self-concepts are enhanced, independence encouraged, and individuality respected.  To this end the specific responsibilities included, but are not limited to the following:

• Protects the safety of all children in the center.
• Directly supervises children at all times.
• Uses positive phrasing with children.
• Communicates frequently with children throughout the day, naming objects, actions, using who, what, when, where. and why,  and open ended questions.
• Exhibits behavior management consistent with The Kids’ Place philosophy, including reflecting children’s feelings, approaching children to speak with them, directing comments toward children’s behavior, not at the children themselves, etc.
• Co-plays/interacts with children during play activities both indoors and on the playground.
• Treats each child with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural and socio-economic diversity of the population.
• Responds to the individual needs and learning styles of children.
• Responds to children in distress promptly and appropriately.
• Is responsible for all mealtime activities of the group.  Helps children serve themselves family-style and sits with children; preferably eats with them. Monitors children closely during meals.

Health and Safety Issues

• Complies with applicable universal precautions and infection control guidelines and procedures.
• Displays familiarity with and follows The Kids’ Place Health Care Policies.
• Reports immediately any needed repairs to Center Coordinator.
• Is responsible for the welfare, health, and safety of the children in the center.
• Ensures that children are supervised at all times as well as in the bathroom.
• Assists calmly in evacuation of the building in an emergency and in practice drills, and is able to respond to any emergency.
• Cleans and disinfects mouthed toys before next use, chairs and toys when soiled or at least weekly, mats/cots weekly.
• Checks on sleeping infants every 5 minutes, toddlers and preschoolers every 15 minutes.

Planning

• Plans activities reflecting the anti-bias philosophy of The Kids’ Place with age-appropriate and individualized activities. Provides a well balanced schedule of individual/group activities, and active/quiet activities with variations of structure.
• Submits weekly curriculum plans to Center Coordinator by Wednesday for the coming week.
• Plans open ended activities with an emphasis on process orientation and developmentally appropriate curriculum within the guidelines of The Creative Curriculum.
• Plans supervised activities for outdoors, or indoor gross motor play during severe inclement weather which prevents outdoor play (at least 1 hour per day).
• Keeps informal classroom anecdotal notes on children’s progress on an on-going basis.
• Develops and maintains portfolios of children’s developmental progress, keeping records, work samples and other evidence of growth and development.
• Prepares children’s progress reports for infants and children with special needs every three months, or for toddlers and preschoolers every six months.
• Reads to children DAILY.
• Uses resources, such as libraries, to incorporate literature into the daily routine.
• Prepares or makes available in advance, materials needed for planned activities.
• Plans circle to include hands-on, interactive activities.
• Sets individual goals and objectives for each child according to the guidelines of The Creative Curriculum.
• Plans and provides  appropriate activities to assure smooth transitions throughout the day.

Interaction with Parents

• The Kids’ Place establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language and culture.
• Acknowledges parent and child with a greeting at drop-off and pick-up.
• Communicates with parents daily, reports at least one positive event (accomplishment, amusing anecdote, etc.) about each child to the parent.
• Prepares memo daily for parent, indicating child’s functioning each day.
• Treats parents with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural and socio-economic diversity of the population.
• Makes parents aware of classroom and center activities, and encourages family involvement
• Brings any parent feedback, concerns about children, etc. to the attention of the Center Coordinator before discussing with the parent, and documents all such parent conversations on Office Communication form.
• Insures that items (papers, dirty clothes, etc.) are taken home and follows up with parents on items to be brought to the center.
• Respects the confidentiality of families, and takes care not to speak in front of the children about that child or other children.
• Participates in parent conferences as needed.
• Accommodates special requests from parents whenever possible.

Classroom Appearance

• Creates classroom environment reflecting the diversity of children & families and children’s interests, including all areas of the room; i.e. blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, literacy, art, science, math, and music.
• Labels shelves with pictures and words for easy identification by children.
• Displays children’s artwork in an attractive manner, using borders and stenciled lettering.
• Cleans floors, tables, chairs, and sinks after meals, when spills occur, or after messy activities. Sanitize according to infection control guidelines.
• Maintains cubbies neatly, sweeping periodically, and sending home older papers and other belongings.
• Leaves classroom at end of the day with tables cleaned, and floors free of debris and toys.
• Shares cleaning duties fairly with co-workers and maintains a clean safe and attractive classroom.

Use of Supervision 

• Prepares for and contributes to regular supervisory meetings.
• Attends, participates in, and contributes constructively to monthly staff meetings, Open Houses, Family events, Community Events, and required workshops.
• Informs Center Coordinator of any pertinent information regarding children, parents, or other staff
• Sets professional goals and objectives.
• Seeks supervision and remains open to supervisor’s suggestions.
• Participates openly in peer observation process.
• Meets deadlines in completing lesson plans, self-evaluations, newsletter contributions, progress reports, or any other reports requested by Center Coordinator.

 

General/Professionalism

• Has good work habits, is in place and ready to work at scheduled time, and shows no undue tardiness or absenteeism.
• Documents and remains current with state requirements for physical examination, First-Aid, CPR, in-service training, etc…
• Tidies children’s appearances throughout the day – sees that shoes are on proper feet, tied, hands and faces cleans, etc…
• Uses smocks for messy activities and bibs for infant and toddler meals.
• Follows daily schedule of The Kids’ Place.
• Follows opening and closing procedures as dictated by work schedule.
• Acts as a positive representative of The Kids’ Place to parents and community.
• Covers responsibilities (i.e.: prepares lesson plans and materials for activities for use by substitute) when absent.
• Supports and directs new staff, teacher aides, volunteers, student interns etc. in the policies and practices of The Kids’ Place including classroom schedule, behavior management,  lesson planning, classroom upkeep, etc.
• Cooperates with and shows respect for co-workers at all levels.
• Approaches problems in a constructive fashion, taking initiative to correct problems whenever possible, using the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct as a guide.
• Contributes ideas for better servicing of children and families.
• Completes classroom attendance on ongoing basis; being aware of the number of children in your care at all times.
• Complete meal checklists at time of food service and submit at end of each week.
• Dresses according to Dress Code in Personnel policies:  both in a professional manner as well as one that allows active participation with children. Personal appearance is neat and clean.
• Keep abreast of current issues in the field of Early Childhood Education.