Preschool Teacher

Volunteers of America Southwest•El Centro, CA

10d•$23 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

Volunteers of America is a federal and state-funded comprehensive early childhood education program focused on child development, including cognitive, physical, and social-emotional growth. The program fosters family engagement and provides resources to low-income families in health, nutrition, and community services. The State Preschool Teacher facilitates safe and healthy learning activities for children aged 2-5, promoting play-based learning for social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. They plan individual and group activities according to age and developmental levels using the Creative Curriculum, aiming to develop school readiness skills. The role also involves engaging parents in educational activities to enhance their role in the child's development and assisting them in understanding child growth and development.

Requirements

Minimum of an Associate's degree.
CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Ability to pass fingerprints, criminal investigation screening, TB and health screenings.
Computer proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

In bilingual settings, communicates both verbally and in writing, with both the parents and the children in their language when possible.

Responsibilities

Facilitates safe and healthy learning activities for children, 2-5 years of age, using play-based learning to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
Plans individual and group activities according to a child’s age and current developmental levels under the guidelines of Creative Curriculum.
Provides children with a learning environment and varied experiences to develop school readiness skills.
Involves parents in educational activities to enhance their role as the principal influence on the child’s education and development.
Assists parents to increase knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in child growth and development.
Identifies and reinforces experiences that occur in the home that parents can utilize as educational activities for their children.
Develops a plan to ensure the safety of the children within the group utilizing indoor and outdoor facilities.
Completes daily health and safety checklists and reports needed repairs and/or timely maintenance to the Center Coordinator.
Inspects facilities for hazardous conditions and unsafe environments and materials.
Supervises activities of children to ensure their safety.
Recognizes and reports accidents, illnesses, and suspected child abuse to appropriate personnel according to timelines.
Conducts monthly emergency drills.
Maintains a clean and orderly classroom, kept free of garbage and debris.
Plans and conducts classroom activities that encourage healthy habits appropriate to the child.
Selects and uses materials and equipment that stimulates development in the children.
Includes materials that reflect the children’s culture(s) and uses them appropriately.
Plans and facilitates daily learning activities for children based on children’s interests in alignment with the Creative Curriculum to support School Readiness in all learning domains.
Writes and maintains accurate records and child observations to complete accurate child assessments (DRDP) 2 times per year.
Designs an individual development plan (IDP) for each child in collaboration with the parent, identifying learning goals and activities for home and school.
Provides diaper changes and meets toileting needs of children, as needed.
Facilitates healthy habits with assistance such as tooth brushing and handwashing.
Conducts staff-parent conferences for each family with an enrolled child each program year.
Attends all required in-service training, orientations, workshops, and seminars.
Follows approved agency procedures and distributes and maintains them under property security.
Submits all required reports and administrative forms accurately, completely, and timely, including enrollment and attendance information.
Actively participates in recruiting and assisting parents who walk in for enrollment information and/or participates in formal recruitment activities as assigned.
Encourages participation in parent groups at the center and provides opportunities for parents to use their skills and talents in the group.
In bilingual settings, communicates both verbally and in writing with parents and children in their language when possible.
Conducts parent education meetings, including orientation, discussion of IPP, child development, curriculum, and parenting skills.
Attends trainings and meetings as scheduled and/or assigned.
Performs special projects and/or other related duties as assigned.
Abides by Agency Code of Conduct and policies, including applicable laws such as Mandated Reporting.