Lead Teacher - childcare

Position: Lead Teacher for the Long's Chapel Child Enrichment Center (LC CEC)

Reports to: Director of the CEC

Full Time

Work Hours: First Shift

Position Summary

The lead teacher will exhibit comprehensive knowledge of typical as well as atypical patterns of child development and age-appropriate practices. The lead teacher will create and adapt environments that are safe, nurturing, and cater to best practices to meet childcare regulation guidelines. Additionally, lead teachers will use authentic, ongoing assessments of children’s abilities to plan and implement age-appropriate activities that are built upon each child’s unique strengths. Lead teachers are expected to foster relationships with families to support children’s development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Additional duties may be assigned.

Professionalism

• Supports and upholds LC CEC policies and philosophy to parents, co‐workers, and the community.
• Maintains confidentiality about issues regarding staff members, children, families, Long's Chapel management, church council, and church staff.
• Shows respect for individual differences, including learning styles, cultural differences, points of view, and individual preferences.
• Models conflict resolution by communicating directly with individuals involved and collaborating to develop solutions.
• Continues professional growth by attending courses, workshops, trainings, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of development. Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas in childcare practices, and, under the LC CEC management’s guidance, develops implementation plans.
• Keeps management regularly informed on issues regarding LC CEC.

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Faculty Responsibilities

• Creates weekly lessons and leader chart if applicable.
• Models, implements, and assesses strategies for learning, social, emotional, and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
• Integrates research into the design of best practices.
• Implements the curriculum with fidelity.
• Promotes effective interpersonal relations and engages in continuing professional growth activities.
• Maintains student confidentiality.
• Communicates regularly about special events or upcoming closings.
• Communicates with parents regarding their child’s behavior and developmental milestones.
• Updates the daily sign in/out sheet, ensuring children are properly signed in/out.
• Does a name-to-face count, modeling this mandated policy. Follows Long’s Chapel CEC supervision policy.
• Communicates with the team leader and CEC director about any classroom challenges within the classroom or the CEC.
• Is flexible with hours and maintaining ratio. This may require staying additional hours or leaving early, depending on attendance.
• Completes paperwork daily regarding attendance.
• Participates in snack and lunch.
• Completes daily sheets, notes, or progress reports as needed.
• Communicates and works as a team with the assistant teacher and foster grandparents within the classroom.
• Follows LC CEC Discipline Policy, Employee Handbook, and performs all duties and responsibilities.
• Communicates sensitive issues to parents and locates appropriate services for referral in partnership with the team leader.

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Parent Responsibilities

• Is accessible and available to parents every day and responds promptly with respect, sensitivity, interest, and cooperation to their concerns.
• Keeps director and team leader informed of parental concerns and issues.
• Supports management in establishing and sustaining a sense of community through parent engagement and promoting parent retention.

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Health and Safety

• Adheres to all health, safety, and emergency care protocols and sanitation guidelines.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain calm and follow LC CEC Emergency Care Plan in the event of an emergency.
• Documents all accidents and notifies parents and the team leader and director in a timely fashion.
• Follows state regulations regarding incidents of abuse or neglect.
• Assists and supports management with monitoring the maintenance of facility, equipment, and supplies to ensure safety and good repair, including playground safety inspections.
• Participates in monthly fire drills.

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Marketing

• Supports efforts to increase and maintain enrollment in the center.
• Helps market the program in the community through participation in CEC marketing events.
• Assists management in ensuring that center grounds, classroom, and office areas are clean, attractive, and inviting.
• Ensures that all paperwork is complete and up to date in the classroom.

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Physical Demands

• Models a professional work ethic by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance. Arranges and communicates absence in advance.
• Demonstrates flexibility with the work schedules and assignments as needed to meet the needs of the center.
• Follows state and federal guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required safety and health training.
• Refrains from being under the influence of any legal or illegal substances that may impair judgment, alertness, or responsiveness.
• Ensures children's safety while performing the following job functions: frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 50 pounds (on occasion perform these tasks for a child weighing more than 50 pounds).
• Demonstrates a full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, or otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Responds immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.

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Qualifications

• Must have a love for and willingness to serve children and their families. Supports and cultivates a Christlike environment that supports LC CEC’s mission.
• Demonstrates outstanding written and oral communication and organizational skills.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must meet federal as well as individual state requirements (i.e., TB test, physical, criminal background check).
• Preferred educational requirements ‐ 9 semester hours in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, or related field, Child Care Certificate or Credentials I and II.
• For Infant/Toddler staff, ITS-SIDS
• Must hold and maintain a valid CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Has Training in: ITS-SIDS, BSAC, Playground Safety.
• Must be a self-starter and demonstrate the ability to work unsupervised.
• Must have a working knowledge and ability to execute and maintain Subsidy Program requirements.
• Must acquire required training hours per year as required by the DCDEE.

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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to consistently act as a team player, establishing positive, respectful, and professional relationships with children, parents, colleagues, church members, church staff, and the childcare community.
• Skill in facilitating conflict resolution and modeling best professional practices.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Skill in relating to a variety of people, remaining positive even in stressful situations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.

Work Location: In person