The Chiles Academy
Child Care Teacher Job Description
Classroom Responsibilities:
- Comply with all applicable state and local laws regarding the care and education of children from birth to age three
- Use age-appropriate materials and evidence-based practices to support each child’s social, emotional, intellectual, language, motor, and cognitive skills
- Develop and utilize daily plans which reflect mandated elements as well as parental and cultural influences
- Follow a consistent schedule that meets individual needs, including small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities
- Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making
- Involve children in all phases of self-care (dressing, eating, toileting, etc.)
- Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor)
- Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom
- Protect the privacy and safety of children and parents
- Participate in staffing of children with appropriate team members
- Work with special needs staff in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom and meets the needs as specified on the IFSP
- Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry at designated, appropriate times
- Assist with meal service as needed and model family style dining
- Assist in general maintenance and security of facility
- Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities
- Other duties as assigned
Written Documentation
- Maintain accurate records, including assessments, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms
- Complete required documentation in a timely manner
- Observe and record behaviors of children to identify each child’s strengths and areas to grow
- Maintain accurate attendance records including requests for personal leave
- Report unanticipated absences (i.e. illness) to supervisor as soon as possible so that arrangements for classroom coverage can be made
Minimum Requirements
· Must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma
· Must pass drug screening and be enrolled in DCF Clearinghouse prior to hiring
· Completion of Pediatric CPR & First Aid within 30 days of hiring
· Completion of required DCF online courses within 60 days of hiring
· Coursework for Infant/Toddler CDA must be started within one year of hiring
· Prefer minimum one year of experience in a pre-school (infant/toddler) classroom
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Good written and verbal communication skills
· Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable
- Good decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to supervise and continuously monitor children of any age (from infancy to pre-school) to ensure a safe environment
- Physical ability to perform essential job functions without any health restrictions, including the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time; have unrestricted use of the upper body, corrected or uncorrected hearing and vision within normal range and a clear speaking voice; and, other abilities necessary to ensure child safety in the classroom, other group areas and when in the community, such as but not limited to the following:
- Ability to bend, squat, reach, kneel, and climb stairs;
- Ability to move from a sitting to standing position quickly, safely, and without difficulty;
- Ability to lift and carry up to forty pounds;
- Ability to move quickly in order to respond to very active children who may need or redirection in order to ensure their safety;
- Ability to join the children’s active play including jumping and running indoors and outdoors; and
- Ability to assist children with diapering, toileting, and change of clothing requiring lifting, bending, and squatting.
- Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis according to the school safety plan
Pay Scale & Benefits
· Starting pay $13-$18 depending on qualifications
· Full time year-round (11 month) and summers off (10 month) positions available
· Generous benefits package including health, life, supplemental, & disability insurance
· Semi-monthly pay with “level” paychecks available to avoid seasonal fluctuations due to school breaks and closures
· Two weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year and five paid holidays
· Part time (afternoon only) also available with no benefits