Lead Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Child Care

• Guides children in a positive manner displaying friendly, affectionate, enthusiast and caring behaviors.
• Helps with meal and snack preparation, feeding children, modeling table manners at family style meals.
• Interacts with children on the playground/classroom taking part in activities that include bending, stooping, jumping and other physical activities as indicated under the physical requirements section.
• Provides daily written/oral feedback to parents and/or any other communication required by the program.
• Maintain a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment
• Caring for Preschool age children: 3-6 year olds

Education/Curriculum

• Implements the daily program for children, including the following:
• Preparation and cleanup of daily programming and activities.
• Curriculum and child assessments.
• Helps children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and respect themselves and others.
• Participates in QRIS or accreditation goals and performs the associated classroom requirements to meet those goals if applicable.
• Guide and facilitate the activities of the children, including: daily activities, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
• Responsible for the implementation of the company or Head Start provided curriculum. Including training and observations of the children in your classroom.
• Facilitates conferences with parents twice a year per the school calendar.
• Utilizes digital technologies to communicate with parents and to drive intentional lesson planning. Implements and follows all proper supervision techniques as required by the company and state licensing.
• Complete expected and required child reports;

Safety & Security

• Works to prevent injuries and accidents; follows all procedures related to injuries and accidents if one should occur. Reports child injuries and hazards promptly to a member of management.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential safety and health hazards throughout the facility and create a safe and healthy environment for children of all ages;
• Reports suspected child abuse or neglect to local child protective agency or child abuse hotline as mandated by state law.
• Complete incident reports

Cleanliness

• Uphold cleanliness standards;
• Assists with ensuring the classroom is organized, clean and tour ready at all times;
• Maintain a clutter free room at all times;
• Maintain a very clean environment practicing all policies and procedures;
• Follow proper procedures to limit the transferring of sicknesses;
• Responsible for daily cleaning duties which include sweeping , mopping, disposing of trash;
• Be a positive role model for children by washing yours and child’s hands, sanitizing tables and counters, sweeping, sanitizing toys and equipment, making sure bedding is kept clean.

Operations

• Report progress of children to parents daily on their daily sheets, with verbal communication and bi-annual parent-teacher conferences;
• Maintain records on each child including but not limited to: daily observations, daily activities, daily sheets, daily sign in/out sheets, snacks/meals and attendance/timesheets;
• Ensure that standard operating procedures for the center are followed and positively reinforced to others on the child care team;
• Regular attendance is required.
• Performs other related duties as requested by a member of management, may be asked to work in other classrooms when needed.
• Report to the Director any damaged or lost materials.

Family Engagement and Satisfaction

• Engage parents/guardians through open verbal and written communication;
• Greet every family, child and visitor who enters the school/classroom with a warm and sincere welcome. Assist parents at drop off and pick up times. Acknowledge all departing families, children and visitors with a farewell.
• Provide exceptional customer service to the families and children we serve. This includes maintaining strict confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Proactively and professionally address and resolve parental concerns, keeping the Director informed of the issue and resolution. Escalate critical issues to the Director for resolution as needed;
• Respond to all questions and requests in a friendly and timely manner.
• Communicate effectively and often with families to ensure consistent feedback regarding the child's care and learning experience.

Leadership

• Upholds the company values of Love, Learn and Collaborate.
• Actively contributes creative ideas to grow and improve the learning center;
• Maintain a productive, positive, dynamic, engaging and fun working environment through a positive and fun-loving demeanor;
• Ensure new hires feel welcome and have a successful transition into the center culture;
• No participation in gossip or negative conversations;
• Maintain confidentiality in all circumstances and a “need-to-know” mentality.
• Required to attend all staff training sessions, meetings and programs sponsored by the School, this is mandatory not optional.

Additional Duties

• Attend staff training and meetings, this is required;
• Complete timely and accurate time sheets;
• Other projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) required
• At least one (1) year of experience in a licensed child care center required
• Undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required.
• Must hold a Gateways Director Level 1 Credential (or be willing to obtain immediately)
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Demonstrates an understanding of all current state and local child care regulations
• Must be able to effectively communicate (written and verbal)
• Must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, all essential functions of the job.

Physical Requirements

• Comply with other background checks as required by the Agency and/or DCFS licensing
• Lifting and/or carrying (maximum 50 lbs)
• Effective hand-eye coordination
• Physical Coordination to maintain the repetitive motion of:
• Stooping and/or Bending
• Kneeling and/or Squatting
• Sitting
• Pushing and/or Pulling
• Overhead and/or Horizontal Reaching
• Walking and/or Running
• Climbing and/or Balancing on different forms of equipment
• Ability to stand for 95% or more of the work day
• Close Vision (20” or less) and Distance Vision (20’ or more)
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish color)
• Depth Perception - judge distance
• Ability to read and interpret instructions

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person