Lead Preschool Teacher - Basin City

Inspire•Basin City, WA

About The Position

The Lead Preschool Teacher plans and delivers developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum and classroom activities, evaluates and documents children’s progress, and supports school readiness goals. The position models instructional techniques and guides the Assistant Preschool Teacher, substitutes, floaters, and volunteers, while helping ensure classroom ratios and established program procedures are maintained. The role provides a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment; follows applicable state and federal instructional, health, fire, and safety requirements; and supports children’s physical, cognitive, language, and creative development, including children requiring special services. The Lead Preschool Teacher works with families through home visits, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and other program activities, and coordinates with program staff and specialists to monitor classroom practices and provide technical assistance. The position also administers educational screenings and refers children with potential health, disability, or behavioral concerns; completes required records and meal counts; follows procedures for children’s arrival and release; maintains confidentiality; and contributes to in-kind fundraising and volunteer efforts. The Lead Preschool Teacher reports to the Center Manager and guides the Assistant Preschool Teacher.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), or an associate degree with 30 ECE-related college credits, with experience teaching infant/toddler and/or preschool children.
At least six months of experience in a child care setting.
Knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices.
Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment.
Experience with policy and procedure processes and planning and facilitating groups.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Experience in classroom risk management.
Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems.
Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
Ability to gather and analyze data for reports.
Strong customer service focus and ability to work with culturally diverse populations.
Knowledge of personal computers, including Microsoft Office.
Accurate data, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must hold a current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate, enroll in higher education toward an associate degree in ECE, and be on an approved waiver.
At least 18 years of age.
Valid Washington State driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and ability to travel to perform job duties.
Pass initial and periodic criminal, background, and Department of Early Learning background checks.
Pass initial and periodic employee health clearance and provide it within 45 days of employment.
Obtain Food Handler training within 30 days of employment and hold a current Food Handler card.
Obtain First Aid/CPR training within 30 days of employment and hold current cards.
Subject to initial and periodic TB screening and random drug screening.
Obtain required initial STARS/MERIT training within six months of employment.
Complete 15 hours of continuing in-service training annually and 10 hours of continuing STARS/MERIT training annually.
Sign an Educational Professional Development Plan to obtain a BA degree in ECE.
Sign a confidentiality agreement and complete and sign an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.

Nice To Haves

Previous Head Start experience.
English/Spanish bilingual fluency.
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 30 or more ECE college credits.
Sign a Professional Development Plan to learn to read, write, and speak English (recommended).

Responsibilities

Plan developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum, lesson plans, classroom activities, and home learning tasks.
Evaluate and document children’s progress and analyze classroom and child outcome reports.
Model appropriate instructional techniques for the Assistant Preschool Teacher, substitutes, floaters, and volunteers, and help ensure classroom ratios are met.
Provide input on performance evaluations of the Assistant Preschool Teacher and floaters.
Implement and monitor classroom school readiness goals.
Complete required documentation within established timelines, including daily assessments, meal guides, health checks, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences.
Complete daily USDA meal counts and ensure children are safely released according to center procedures.
Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment and follow state and federal instructional, fire, health, and safety requirements, including handwashing, laundry, and housekeeping practices.
Promote children’s physical, cognitive, language, and creative development, including supporting children who require special services.
Attend scheduled teacher meetings and facilitate mentoring of classroom staff in early childhood education.
Encourage positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
Communicate with and actively involve parents through home visits, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, Make-n-Take activities, and brainstorming sessions.
Follow established curricula, procedures, documentation requirements, and service plans; coordinate with program staff and specialists to monitor and provide technical assistance to teaching staff.
Perform assigned administrative duties.
Participate in age-appropriate interactions and classroom activities, including free play, mealtime, floor time, and classroom activities; this may include bathing or diaper changing for children with special needs.
Administer educational screenings and identify and refer children with potential health, disability, or behavioral concerns.
Maintain confidentiality of program and client-related information.
Contribute to in-kind funds by requesting goods, services, or cash donations and encouraging professionals, community members, and parents to volunteer.
Guide and direct the Assistant Preschool Teacher.