Universal Pre-K Teacher

First Learning•Hamburg, NY

9d•$20 - $25

About The Position

Responsible for the general supervision of children and classroom staff and management of one classroom. The teacher provides a safe, nurturing, stimulating, and educational environment that supports children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development at their own pace. The role supervises Assistant Teachers, works as a team with the designated school district, and reports to the Director, Assistant Director, or another designated Administrator. The teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate programming, maintains a prepared classroom environment, supports children’s care and safety, communicates with families and staff, and oversees classroom records and operations. The role also supervises, trains, coaches, and develops assigned staff and supports other classrooms and employees as needed. The position requires the ability to meet the physical demands of caring for young children, good health confirmed by a physician’s statement, proof of being free of tuberculosis, New York State Registry clearance, and Criminal History Fingerprint clearance. The teacher must complete 15 hours of early childhood training within the first six months and each year thereafter, and maintain a current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualifications: New York State Teaching Certification (Birth–2); a bachelor’s degree with at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education; or at least 6 months of experience working in a school-based setting with children under age 6, with a commitment to obtain New York State early childhood teacher certification within three years of employment.
Demonstrate commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience, and involvement with the early childhood community.
Know New York State child care regulations.
Know and be able to implement developmentally appropriate practices and age-appropriate activities consistent with NAEYC guidelines.
Have effective and tactful oral and written communication skills.
Have effective supervisory skills and model appropriate practices.
Be able to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents.
Be able to use constructive methods to maintain group control and address individual behaviors.
Use sound judgment and tact.
Be able to work on a team as a team leader.
Be able to organize and problem-solve effectively.
Be flexible, especially in scheduling and practices, to respond to program needs.
Demonstrate creativity and patience.
Be able to observe, see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, emergencies, and conflicts in the classroom, on the playground, in other Center areas, and on field trips.
Be able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table 25–30 times daily.
Be able to reach a child 20–30 feet away within 30 seconds.
Be able to crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, and sit on the floor for extended periods regularly.
Have good health confirmed by a physician’s statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis.
Have New York State Registry clearance.
Have Criminal History Fingerprint clearance.

Responsibilities

Follow Care-a-lot Child Care policies and procedures and New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) child care licensing regulations.
Ensure the care, safety, and well-being of children in the classroom, including attending to personal needs such as diapering, toileting, feeding, washing, dressing, comforting, and preparing for rest.
Plan and implement an age-appropriate, open-ended program aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the District.
Prepare an inviting, clean, and organized classroom with learning centers and hands-on activities aligned with NAEYC and District philosophies.
Delegate program responsibilities to an appropriate person when absent.
Interact frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive, and encouraging manner consistent with NAEYC and District guidelines.
Orient and actively supervise children in both small and large groups.
Develop relationships with parents and communicate with them regularly, including through classroom orientation, daily child activity reports, and at least biannual progress reports.
Maintain classroom records and required written documentation for OCFS and the District.
Know children’s allergies, inform staff, and act accordingly.
Maintain a positive work climate, meet deadlines, and organize classroom procedures.
Communicate effectively and directly with other staff.
Provide timely reports to supervisors outlining needs, problems, and suggestions for improvement.
Supervise, train, coach, and develop staff assigned to the classroom.
Measure children’s and staff members’ progress and create systems to improve, modify, and remediate.
Assist the supervisor and provide staff support to other classrooms and employees as needed.
Supervise and maintain general housekeeping and repair of assigned areas and common spaces.
Perform administrative duties necessary for classroom and Center operations.
Maintain a current Aspire account for recording education and training with QualitystarsNY.
Complete 15 hours of early childhood training within the first six months and annually thereafter.