Children's Center Lead Teacher

Description

About Us

The Fessenden Children’s Center provides childcare for children 12 weeks to 5 years-old. We are located in West Newton, MA on the campus of the Fessenden School. We are committed to foster social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and developmental growth through thoughtful, integrated curriculum within a safe and nurturing environment. Through interpersonal relationships between teachers, children, and their families, we ensure that each child’s individual needs are met.

Position Summary

The Fessenden Children’s Center is seeking a Lead Teacher for our team on a full-time basis, 40 hours a week for the full year. The person in this role must be able to demonstrate competency in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum that promotes child growth and development in the following areas: language self-help and interpersonal problem-solving, cognitive, creative expression, and social/emotional skills. A Lead Teacher must be able to work cooperatively with others in both a team teaching setting and within the Center as a whole, be responsible, innovative, creative, and maintain a professional work environment.

Planning and Program Responsibilities

• Plan group and individual activities with other team members.

• Plan end of year activity for the families that attend the Center along with other colleagues. 

• Share in leadership and planning for classroom activities.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Assist in the integration of new children. 

• Participate, in turn, in procuring equipment, resources, craft materials, snack items, and books.

• Supervise children in their assigned classroom and bathroom/diapering areas.

• Work as a mentor to teachers, assistant teachers, volunteers, substitutes, 

• Take responsibility for clean-up as required.

• Prepare materials in advance of expected time of use.

• Attend all meetings scheduled by the Director including, but not limited to, individual group and Center-wide meetings and on-site professional development sessions.

• Attend all family involvement events.

• Attend 20 hours of professional development training per year.

• Spend one hour per week with the other teaching team members, planning and scheduling weekly activities and preparing a monthly curriculum plan to be submitted to the Director by the last Monday of each month. 

• Plan outdoor activities and supervise outdoor play.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all the children in care by being aware of the following: 

  • Emergency evacuation and fire drill procedures.

  • First-aid responsibilities.

  • Location of emergency and permission forms.

• Report on all medical needs, health problems, changes in schedule, phone number changes, etc. to the Director.

• Shall follow all teaching and supervision procedures as outlined by the Director.

• Write and maintain developmental reports for each child. Reports are to be done every three months for infants and every six months for toddlers and up.

• Establish, together with other team members, educational goals for each child; plan and carry out curricular activities designed to meet such goals.

• Be supportive of and communicate openly with parents, fellow colleagues, and the Director.

• Be prepared and willing to help colleagues in other groups if there is a need.

• Greet parents and tell them about their child's day.  Inform them about any illnesses or concerns related to their child.

• Communicate to parents up-coming events, supplies needed for the Center such as diapers, wipes, party items, change of clothes, etc.

• To develop warm, friendly, and trusting relationships with parents and extended family members, encouraging them to feel welcome and comfortable within the Center.

Staff Responsibilities

• Assist the Director with training exercises when needed.

• Assume Director's responsibilities when not on-site.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education; a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred.

• Must be EEC Lead Teacher certified.

Physical Responsibilities

• Lift up to 40 lbs.

• Sit for long periods on the floor.

• Stand for long periods.

• Push and maneuver a stroller with four children.

• Comfortable with cleaning and disposing of bodily waste and fluids.

Qualifications