Job Description
Primary Objectives: Under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, provide a safe, nurturing environment for children that fulfills the standards of care recognized by St. Martin’s Early Learning Center, the Quality Rated System (QRS), and Licensing Regulations and Policies. Plan and implement a developmentally and age appropriate curriculum which takes into consideration the needs of the individual child and encourages the child’s spiritual, social, cognitive, physical and emotional development. Maintain positive, professional relationships with parents, children, co-workers and the church community.
General Work Habits
Ensure continuity of care by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance and following appropriate procedures for requesting time off.
Support the academy’s policies and philosophy to parents, co-workers and the community.
Demonstrate flexibility with work schedules and assignments.
Attend mandatory meetings, center events and training sessions.
Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices.
Model Christ-like behavior.
Professionalism
Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning faculty members, children and families or the center management or operations. Never involve parents in center concerns.
Continue professional growth by attending courses, workshops, asking for feedback and reading professional literature.
Demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of development for this age group.
Receive constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Give feedback in a respectful manner.
Conduct yourself in a manner that is not detrimental to the children or the reputation of St. Martin’s ELC.
Greet all visitors warmly; helping them to feel welcome and valued.
Interactions with Children
Interact frequently, affectionately and respectfully by smiling, touch and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner.
Speak directly with the child at the child’s level.
Show respect for individual differences, including developmental level, learning styles, cultural differences and individual preferences. Avoid stereotyping and labeling.
Practice positive guidance techniques as outlined in the St. ELC Discipline Policy.
Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families.
Engage and communicate with individual children during activities and routines. Use these teachable moments to extend the child’s thought and understanding.
Respect and observe the children’s interests. Enhance the children’s play and intervene when needed to maintain safety.
Be available and responsive to the children’s needs, interests, questions and requests.
Model positive social skills and encourage such behavior in the children.
Always act responsibly and attentively to avoid any injury or endangerment to the children.
Interactions with Parents
Greet parents at drop off and pick up with a courteous, friendly and professional demeanor.
Respond to parents’ comments, needs and concerns with respect, sensitivity, interest and cooperation.
Maintain a primary care giving relationship with families.
Practice open and honest communication with parents; with the Teacher’s guidance, keep them informed of activities, developmental goals and issues regarding their child. Communicate verbally and in writing with parents.
Assist in the preparation for parent teacher conferences with every family.
Always maintain confidentiality. Do not discuss a specific child or family in front of the children or other parents.
Interactions with Colleagues
Maintain an attitude of cooperation and respect with everyone in the center.
Assume a fair share of the workload. Look for ways to help others.
Demonstrate a willingness to participate in collaboration, share ideas and materials with others.
Be a considerate “borrower” and return items promptly and in at least the same condition as it was received.
Practice open, honest, respectful communication to resolve conflicts.
Go directly to the source with issues and avoid gossip.
Show respect for individual differences; including learning styles, cultural differences, point of views and individual preferences. Avoid stereotyping and labeling.
Provide assistance, orientation and guidance to everyone, but especially new employees or substitutes.
Be supportive of each other and assume additional center and classroom responsibilities as needed.
Show initiative and independence in assuming responsibility.
Communicate effectively with everyone in the center. Share concerns, challenges and successes with center directors.
Physical Demands
Follow state, federal and St. Martin’s Early Learning Center guidelines including immunizations, employment physical and required safety and health training.
Refrain from sleeping on the job or being under the influence of any legal or illegal substance that may impair judgment, alertness, responsiveness or your ability to do your job.
Ensure 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, may perform these tasks for a child weighing more than 50 pounds.)
Daily supervise and interact with a group of children outdoors for an extended period in various weather conditions.
Demonstrate a full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit or otherwise fully participate in activities.
Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.
Maintain physical and mental alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements
Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition
Maintain and follow all center safety and health rules, guidelines and procedures.
Follow all tracking and attendance procedures so you know the number of children in your group at all times.
Maintain child to staff ratios.
Complete appropriate paperwork; attendance, incident reports, medication authorization forms, allergy updates, etc.
Ensure accuracy in attendance records.
Model and encourage children to follow all health, safety and nutritional practices.
Keep the environment and equipment safe, clean and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials and notify center directors in advance when supplies are needed.
Arrange space in well organized, clearly defined areas.
Assist in designing an environment the responds to children’s individual developmental, physical and emotional needs.
Immediately report any safety/health related concerns to a center director.
Curriculum
Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflects observation, assessments and interests of individual children.
Assist in providing developmentally appropriate, Christian instruction through daily Bible lessons, verses and activities, prayer times and weekly Jesus Time programs.
Organize a variety of appropriate materials that meet all the developmental domains, so they are accessible to children.
Promote problem-solving, self-help and independence as these qualities build self-esteem in the children.
Promote social literacy by acknowledging feelings with sensitivity and help children identify and understand their emotions.
Encourage creativity.
Share ideas in planning a daily schedule that provides a balance of activities: child/teacher directed, active/quiet, indoor/outdoor, etc.
Allow many opportunities for children to make choices and offer guidance to provide well-rounded experiences for the children.
Assist in the documentation of children’s accomplishments through anecdotal notes, documentation panels and/or portfolios.
Maintain flexibility in scheduling to allow for children’s needs and interests.
Plan ahead and be prepared to implement planned activities on a daily basis.
Be sensitive to transitions times; daily schedules, changes in the classroom routines, new families.
Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
Meet federal, individual state and St. Martin’s ELC requirements (i.e. Immunizations, physicals, criminal background studies, ability to provide Christian instruction and model Christ-like behavior, etc.)
Be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the first 3 months of employment.
Preferred educational requirements: See MN DHS minimum guidelines at this link: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-7994-ENG
Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and positive interactions with children through an in-classroom interaction.