We are looking for an energetic and motivated Lead Toddler Teacher! Please email intent to apply and resume to email provided.
Position Title: Early Childhood Educator (Lead Teacher)
Supervisor: The Director
Takes Direction From: Leader of Operations or Designated Opener and Closer
Give Direction to: Assistant Teachers, Aids, Volunteers, Interns
Job Summary: Work with a team to plan, supervise and implement a program of developmentally appropriate activities to meet social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of a group of children assigned to your care. (Age level 1 month – 5 years) A lead teacher is responsible for the care and safety of assigned children and maintenance of classroom and materials.
Job Responsibilities
1. Program Responsibilities
a. Plan developmentally appropriate learning activities for your classroom. Keep a balance between quiet and active periods, individual and group activities, free and organized play and large and small muscle skills.
b. Plan the weekly/monthly curriculum; keeping the program appropriate to the age group.
c. Turn into the Assistant Director on designated planning day the weekly lesson plan for the following week. Post Lesson Plans in the Classroom and in Brightwheel App.
d. Ensure completion of daily reports for parents on paper or in Brightwheel App as assigned.
e. Be consistently alert and sensitive to the individual needs of the children in your care.
f. Prepare a physical environment that is safe, attractive, and stimulating. Maintain order in that environment. Tables, floors and counters are to be kept free of clutter and clean.
g. Check supplies and equipment and turn in a list of items needing purchased one week in advance during your planning.
h. Prepare materials in advance necessary to implement daily plans.
i. Maintain meal counts and attendance.
j. Adhere to the policies established by the State of Washington Department of Social & Health Services and The Seedlings Early Learning Center.
k. Maintain up to date documentation in each child’s online portfolio on Brightwheel. Use this information for individualizing and lesson planning in order to meet the developmental needs of the children in your care.
l. Responsible for the completion and turning in of required paperwork; meal counts, cleaning checklist, safety checklist, etc.
m. Respect diversity in enrolled families; greet parents and children with warmth, sincerity and a non-judgmental manner.
2. Supervision Responsibilities
a. Supervise all the activities of all your students.
b. You are expected to know the number of children in your care at all times. Frequent head counts are required. If you are covering a break for a teacher, it is your responsibility to know who and how many you are watching.
c. Supervise or be responsible for the supervision of bathroom times. Change diapers or clothing as necessary.
d. Never leave children unsupervised. This includes naptime. A teacher must be present in the classroom at all times and all children must be in a teacher’s view.
e. Fill out accident reports when needed. Give the original to the parent and give a copy to the Administration Staff for the child’s file.
f. If you are out of ratio, you must notify the office immediately.
g. Implement all health and safety policies of the Center.
3. Parent Relations
a. Work with parents whenever possible to promote the understanding of growth and development of their child in the Center.
b. Encourage parent involvement in Center activities whenever possible.
c. Attend activities to which parents are asked to come whenever possible.
d. Communicate daily with parents, verbally, through Daily Reports and progress reports and/or communication App.
e. Maintain professional conduct and attitude in working with parents.
4. Personal Responsibilities
a. Display a positive attitude toward your job, the Center, children and staff. Avoid any conversation that is not supportive of the Center, program and/or staff. Your mention of problems, suggestions and grievances are welcomed by administration.
b. Show respect for all fellow staff members, regardless of their roles and for all children and families.
c. Work cooperatively as a member of the staff team in the room assigned and perform responsibilities as determined necessary to benefit children.
d. Work or assist in non-assigned classroom as needed. Assume new assignment if administration determines it necessary to the overall good of the Center.
e. Maintain confidentiality at all times for all people; parents, children and staff.
5. General Responsibilities
a. Report to work on time for your shift.
b. Check in and out regularly on your timecard. Overtime must be authorized The Director or other person in charge.
c. Notify the Director at least two hours in advance if you are going to be absent. Call immediately if you are going to be late.
d. Attend all scheduled staff meetings.
e. Help serve all meals. Be responsible for following all health regulations with regards to serving food. Be responsible for sweeping, wiping down tables and room clean up in a timely manner after each meal.
f. Assign and label cubbies, mailboxes and art folders for all children and teach proper use.
g. Be thoroughly familiar with the emergency procedures established by the Center. Practice emergency exits monthly with children.
h. Keep the playground walkways swept and free of rocks, sand & wood chips, toys organized and activities available outside.
i. On the playground, interact with the children, not only other staff. Position yourself so that you are near the children, moving with them.
j. Breaks are to be taken in the Maple Room or outside of the center, not in a classroom. Planning and preparation are not to be done during 10-minute breaks and unpaid lunch breaks.
k. Use provided “planning breaks” to plan and set up lessons
l. Smoking is not allowed on the Seedlings campus.
m. Use positive discipline techniques. Redirect and engage the children in problem solving when at all possible. Request support when needed.
n. Be thoroughly familiar with the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers.
o. No shift is permanent. Shifts will vary according to enrollment and administrative needs. Staff will be sent home if the enrollment indicates the need.
p. Gossip is unprofessional and unacceptable.
q. Keep all teacher items and bleach bottles out of the reach of children.
r. I.D. ANYONE you are not familiar with before releasing a child. Check for proper authorization before release.
6. Requirements:
a. Be at least eighteen years old;
b. Pass Washington State Portable Background Check
c. TB skin test
d. Have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
e. Complete the applicable preservice requirements, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0105.
f. Have and ECE short certificate or equivalent or be enrolled in program leading to an ECE short certificate within 6 months of hire.
g. AA in ECE preferred or enrollment in a program leading to an AA in ECE within 6 months preferred.
h. Complete the MERIT 10-hour annual training requirement. Upgrade job performance and personal skills by attending conferences, courses, seminars when able and by reading job-related journals and periodicals.
i. Complete a Seedlings Professional Development and their professional development progress documented annually.