INFANT/TODDLER (ITCS) LEAD TEACHER

ALLEGHENY LUTHERAN SOCIAL MINISTRIES INC•Bedford, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Growing Years Early Learning Center in Bedford, PA, is actively seeking a full-time, first-shift Infant Toddler (ITCS) Lead Teacher. This position is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and implementing program planning, including individualized activities for each child and family in both home and classroom settings. The goal is to ensure the highest quality of services are provided within a secure and nurturing teaching environment for children from birth through five years of age.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Early Childhood Development with a current PA ECE Teaching Certificate.
A minimum of a CDA credential; or completion of at least two years of full-time post-secondary study; or the equivalent in Early Childhood Education or a related degree; or an Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood; or related degree with at least 15 credits in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
Experience working with young children.

Responsibilities

Maintains accurate records of classroom time, family contacts, services to children, food data, etc., as per procedure.
Provides services to assigned children age birth to 3 years and their families.
Maintains good relationships with community agencies and the public to encourage community support and understanding of ALSM, Growing Years and its mission.
Assists with recruitment as requested including publicity, providing families with appropriate information, screening and the screening selection process, etc.
Ensures that activities, material, etc., are appropriate to the developmental capabilities of each child.
Plans an individualized developmental program for each child that reflects goals and objectives agreed upon by the family.
Utilizes educational assessments and observations to track child progress.
Greets each child and parent in a warm, friendly manner as they arrive at the center; facilitates entry into classroom and separation from parents.
Makes provisions for all children with disabilities so that their special needs are met and their well-being is assured.
Conducts initial meeting with enrolled families to review child profile.
Establishes and maintains an atmosphere that is positive and comfortable for each family and that facilitates growth and competency, both as individuals and as a family unit.
Conducts meeting within first 45 days and develops a plan with the families to address identified goals.
Works jointly with the family to identify the strengths and needs of each parent and child, assisting parents to understand the importance of what their role is in their children’s learning and development.
Uses appropriate techniques, such as modeling, positive reinforcement, direct instruction, and feedback to facilitate positive growth in the parents and children.
Establishes open communication and encourage parents to assume an active role in their child’s learning experience by modeling, training and involving them in all aspects of the educational process.
Assists parents to develop realistic expectations of their children and provide parent meetings, workshops, and informational materials to help families increase their knowledge and skills.
Assists parents to interact with their children in ways which facilitate the development of communication, listening, comprehension, and problem solving skills, as well as mutual trust and esteem.
Offers parents information about community health, human services, social services, and other resources to meet identified goals.
Provides a learning environment for children that invites exploration, emphasizes communication and problem solving, stimulates curiosity and the development of new ideas, and maximizes success.
Provides a variety of appropriate equipment, activities and opportunities to promote the physical development of the children.
Provides activities and experiences that develop questioning, probing and problem solving appropriate to the developmental levels and learning styles of children.
Provides opportunities for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non-verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
Provides experiences that stimulate children to explore and express their creative abilities.
Helps children learn to get along with others and encourages feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults.
Provides an environment in which children can learn and practice behaviors which are appropriate and acceptable individually and in a group.