Universal Pre-K Teacher

First Learning•City of Rochester, NY

9d•$20 - $25

About The Position

The Universal Pre-K Teacher is responsible for the general supervision of children and classroom staff and the management of one classroom. The role provides a safe, nurturing, stimulating, and educational environment that supports children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development at their own pace. The teacher works with the designated school district and supervises assistant teachers. The teacher plans and implements age-appropriate, open-ended programming and prepares an inviting, clean, organized classroom with learning centers and hands-on activities, consistent with NAEYC and district philosophies. The position also involves children’s care and safety, ongoing communication with families, classroom documentation, staff supervision and development, and administrative and housekeeping duties. The teacher must follow Care-a-lot Child Care policies and New York State OCFS licensing regulations, and complete required professional development.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated education or experience pathways: New York State Teaching Certification (Birth–2); a bachelor’s degree and 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.
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, or on field trips.
Be able to lift approximately 30 pounds from floor to 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 provide proof of being free of tuberculosis.
Obtain New York State Registry clearance.
Obtain Criminal History Fingerprint clearance.
Have knowledge of New York State child care regulations.
Know and be able to implement developmentally appropriate practices and age-appropriate activities corresponding with NAEYC guidelines.
Have effective and tactful oral and written communication skills.
Have effective supervisory skills and use role-modeling practices.
Be able to maintain positive relationships with children, coworkers, and parents.
Be able to use constructive methods to maintain group control and address individual behavior.
Use sound judgment and tact.
Be able to work as a team leader.
Be able to organize and solve problems effectively.
Be flexible, particularly with scheduling and practices in response to program needs.
Demonstrate creativity and patience.

Responsibilities

Adhere to 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 classroom children, including attending to personal care needs such as diapering, toileting, feeding, washing, dressing, comforting, and preparing children for rest.
Plan and implement age-appropriate, open-ended programming consistent with NAEYC and the District’s philosophy.
Prepare an inviting, clean, and organized classroom with learning centers and hands-on activities consistent with NAEYC and the District’s philosophy.
Delegate program responsibilities to an appropriate person when absent.
Interact frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive, and encouraging manner.
Orient and actively supervise children in small and large groups.
Develop relationships with parents and communicate regularly, including through classroom orientation, daily activity reports, and at least biannual progress reports.
Maintain classroom records and required written documentation for OCFS and the District.
Keep informed about children’s allergies, advise 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 the supervisor about needs, problems, and suggestions for improvement.
Supervise, train, coach, and develop staff assigned to the classroom.
Measure the progress of children and staff 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 space.
Perform administrative duties necessary for classroom and Center operations.
Maintain a current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY.
Complete 15 hours of early childhood training within the first six months and every year thereafter.