*offering a signing bonus*

First Church Academy for Young Children located in the heart of West Hartford CT, is looking for a full-time preschool Associate Teacher. We are a nonprofit, NAEYC Accredited, OEC licensed program serving children 6 weeks through 5 years of age. We are a full year program. Our mission is to provide an encouraging, loving, learning environment that nurtures the growth of the whole child. We believe children learn best through play.

Under the supervision of the Education Director, the Associate Teacher will provide a warm, nurturing, safe and loving environment that encourages a child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. The Teacher will follow policies and procedures outlined in the First Church Academy for Young Children Staff Manual and adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethics.

The Academy is a warm and supportive work environment. We welcome teachers new to the field and can provide mentorship opportunities!

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom

· Meet the children’s individual needs in all areas – physical, emotional, social and intellectual according to their appropriate developmental level.

· Assist the Lead Teacher in the development of weekly lesson plans and assist in the flexible implementation of these plans.

· Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s behavior according to First Church Academy for Young Children’s Positive Guidance Plan, outlined in our Staff Manual

· Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children’s thinking and actions.

· Maintain a room arrangement that is clean, safe, inviting, interesting and stimulating, and acknowledges individual development, physical and emotional needs and current interests.

· Assist Lead Teacher in child and group observations and in daily record keeping for the classroom.

· Maintain appropriate documentation for each child, as directed by the Lead Teacher, accident/incident reports, daily notes, etc.

· Perform other Duties as Assigned by the Lead Teacher or Education Director

Families

· Be sensitive and responsive to parents and act as a resource to them, in consultation with the Lead Teacher.

· Keep child and family information confidential for classroom use only. Do not share with other families or staff not involved with care for that child.

· Add specific information regarding each child to the daily sheets.

Staff

· Attend all staff meetings.

· Maintain open communication with co-workers and to raise issues in a constructive manner.

Professional Development

· Establish a program for one’s own growth and development.

· Acquire the number of annual professional development hours required by the Office of Early Childhood.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Child Development Associate (CDA), Associate’s Degree in early childhood, highly preferred.

· At least one year’s experience working with infants/toddlers or preschool aged children, preferably in an organized program required.

· Ability to relate joyfully and sensitively to children.

· An understanding and acceptance of the individual developmental stages of the young children within the classroom.

· Must have evidence of emotional maturity and stability and the confidence and judgment to handle crisis situations.

· Be dependable and punctual.

· Must meet all state licensing requirements including fingerprinting for a background check and a medical statement which indicates staff is in good health and able to work with young children.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

· Move, push, and pull, if needed, while moving and holding children.

· Safely lift up to 40 lbs.

· Physically interact with young children through running, chasing, bending, stooping, climbing, sitting, and standing.

· Stand for extended periods of time.

· Assume postures in low level positions that best allow physical and visual contact with children.

· Engage in repetitive bending at the waist, as well as kneeling, stooping, crouching to assist children.

· Have excellent speaking and hearing ability to exchange information, hear in noisy environment, and locate the sources of sounds for health and safety including crying by children.

· Easily and safely accompany children in the building and outdoors for distances of several hundred yards per day at a reasonable pace.

Preference given to an applicant with:

· At least 2 years of experience working with preschool or early elementary children in an organized program (comparable education and/or experience may be considered).

· Ability to relate joyfully and sensitively to children. Must have evidence of emotional maturity and stability and the confidence and judgment to handle crisis situations.

· Meet all state licensing requirements including fingerprinting for a background check and a medical report which indicates staff is in good health and able to work with young children.

A team player

Strong communicator

The Academy offers a competitive benefits package for full time employees. This includes:

15 paid holidays

paid sick and vacation time

life and disability insurance

health, dental, and vision coverage

pension plan

The Academy also offers scholarships for certificate programs, professional development and job related coursework.