Day Care Center Teacher II

Fairfax County • Alexandria (Ll15), VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Head Start Gum Springs Children's Center in Alexandria, VA, under the supervision of the Early Childhood Education Administrator. The role is responsible for the daily operations of the Head Start classroom, providing routine care for children aged 3 to 5 years. Key responsibilities include implementing developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum, creating a play-based learning environment to meet individual needs, and serving as a classroom manager and supervisor for Teacher I and classroom aides. The position adheres to all policy and procedures regulated by Virginia State Licensing and Head Start Federal Standards to ensure child safety and prevent health hazards. The role also involves completing and reporting on developmental screenings/assessments through family conferences, home visits, and staff meetings, and assisting in the preparation of documentation for local agency, state licensing, and federal Head Start Performance Standards. Collaboration with county staff, citizens, and the childcare community is also a part of this role. This is a grant-funded position.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a child-related field such as, but not limited to early childhood or elementary education, nursing, recreation, or a related field.
• Driver's License
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 60 days)
• AED (Required within 60 days)
• Criminal background check
• Child Protective Services Registry check
• Driving record check
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening upon hire
• Considerable knowledge of individual behavior and the growth and development of children, and the impact of group relationships
• Knowledge of health, safety and first aid methods
• Knowledge of the factors which cause problems in children
• Ability to establish warm and supportive relationships with children, on a group and individual basis, gaining confidence and trust and imparting a sense of security
• Ability to assume administrative responsibility for the assigned center's overall health and safety program
• Ability to provide a wide variety of stimulating experiences for children to meet individual intellectual and emotional needs
• Ability to recognize problems of both a physical and psychological nature as exhibited by children
• Ability to organize and plan the activities of subordinate day care personnel
• Ability to develop and maintain a working relationship with parents and staff

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) in Preschool.
• Knowledge of Head Start Standards and Creative Curriculum/TS Gold Assessment Tools.
• Three or more years of experience in a classroom setting.
• Experience working with school-age children.
• Experience working in an early childhood classroom setting within the past two years.
• Supervisory experience and/or experience reviewing the work of staff.
• Bilingual in English and another language.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Day Care Center Supervisor by coordinating activity plans, staff assignments and schedules
• Oversees program plans of subordinates
• Supervises the work of Day Care Center Teacher I’s, Aides, substitutes and volunteers
• Plans and implements a daily program of developmental experiences for preschool children, and a remedial and enrichment program for school-age children
• Provides care and protection for the children, helping them learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations and to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating and dressing
• From daily observation, notes the physical condition of each child, reports conditions needing attention, and administers first aid treatment when needed
• Maintains progress records on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children
• Holds regular individual parent-teacher conferences and participates in parent group meetings and activities
• Through individual conferences, supervises assistant teachers and aides in daily contact with children
• Maintains attractive, healthful surroundings and assures that equipment and materials are kept accessible to the children and in good condition
• Attends and participates in conferences and workshops related to group day care and other pertinent fields
• Performs center administrative duties, to include liaison with school officials, personnel, payroll, record keeping, cash handling and snack purchasing
• Responsible for center newsletter
• Performs related duties as assigned

Benefits

• Grant funded position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level