What are the responsibilities and job description for the Toddler Lead Teacher position at Blossoms Childcare?
We are looking for A strong lead teacher to run our 18 months-2.5 year old classroom. This is a small classroom of max 9 students, 2 teachers.
JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Teacher position is the heart and soul of Blossoms and the primary role of focus for our staffing program. We believe in empowering lead teachers to be an extension of our entire team and our philosophy; thriving children, empowered teachers, and supported families. We expect that preparing children to thrive is your passion and that you will be as committed to quality childcare as we are! We also expect that you will take charge and develop strong individual relationships with all the kids, parents and staff in your classroom. We celebrate a ‘tribe’ mentality at all times. We want to give you full freedom on implementation of our curriculum and adapt the lessons to the needs of each unique child. We want to have complete trust and faith in your ability to teach and keep kids safe. And, we really want you to Blossom here! We will make every effort to support you along your journey as an early-learning educator.
JOB PURPOSE
Your purpose is to teach fundamentals of social, physical, intellectual, and motor skill development. A basic, developmentally appropriate curriculum is provided for each classroom as a foundational guideline and is HIGHLY encouraged to be adapted by each individual teacher to fit their style and accommodate the various developmental skill levels of the children in their class. We have a private Facebook page so part of your job description is to post pictures, activities and experiences the children are having. Our parents and extended families look forward to connecting with their child via the Facebook page every day! This is a small, but critical element that we believe helps us connect and support our families in yet another way.
LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Develop curriculum
- Implement curriculum
- Lead other teachers on how to implement
- Classroom, environment & safety management
- Parent/teacher communications
- Manage your MERIT ACCOUNT
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Teaches fundamentals of social, physical, intellectual, and motor skill development by preparing course objectives, outlining course curriculum guidelines, following state and school requirements.
- Sets up lesson plans by determining a logical course of instruction building upon learned skills and knowledge.
- Instructs children by conducting activities, both individual and group, to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills.
- Mentors students by encouraging and developing skills and efforts in a positive manner. Teaches rules of conduct, how to listen, playing with others, using play equipment, cooperative social behaviors, personal hygiene, etc.
- Broadens students’ knowledge base by teaching performance, improvisation, analysis, and evaluation. Promotes discussions and dramatic play-acting. Encourages children to sing and dance, and promotes self-expression.
- Provides variety by exposing students to a variety of styles of music, art, and literature. Uses games, audio-video aids to present subject matter.
- Offers background by providing historical relevance.
- Provides periods of rest and strenuous activity.
- Maintains order in the classroom and on the playground.
- Recognizes strengths and weaknesses by observing students’ behavior and mannerisms. Takes into consideration outside influences, personality, length of session, etc to encourage commitment and interest.
- Looks to detect signs of illness or emotional disturbance by observing behavior.
- Discusses students’ progress and problems with parents.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; and participating in professional societies.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- MUST BE WILLING, ABLE AND CAPABLE OF CHANGING DIAPERS FOR ALL CHILDREN IN YOUR CARE / CLASSROOM
- Must be consistently on time and willing to complete an entire day’s shift for your scheduled / contracted time.
- Personal development skills with an emphasis on leadership training
- Need to know how to lead your classroom and your assistants
- Must be at least 18 years or older
- The ability to lift 50 pounds regularly
- Must be able to lift and carry ALL children in your care / classroom Must be able to assume and maintain a variety of postures (kneeling, squatting, crawling, sitting, standing) for extended periods of time.
- The ability to respond quickly - physically and mentally
- The ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces
- The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations
- The ability to safely climb step ladders
- The ability to work outdoors with the children (we go outside multiple times EVERY DAY unless the weather is extreme)
- The ability to wear personal protective gear correctly the entire day, particularly gloves and masks
- Must be able to sit on the floor or stand for extended periods of time
- Must be able to clean a child after toileting accidents
- Must have manual dexterity to perform specific computer and electronic device functions pertaining to parent communication
- Must be physically present at the assigned job location
- Must be able to receive detailed information through oral communication
- Must have visual acuity to read and comprehend written communication through computer, electronic devices, and paper means
- Must have reliable transportation and be willing and able to travel between different locations as specified by your scheduling supervisor
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLETE PRIOR TO HIRE
- Create a MERIT account & obtain a STARS ID number
- Have a highschool diploma or equivalent with transcript uploaded to MERIT system
- Register with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and pass a background check, and fingerprinting as deemed necessary by DCYF. Background check performed once every 3 years and more as deemed necessary by Blossoms Childcare
- A degree OR certificate in early childhood education or related / parallel field of study (PREFERRED)
- Child Care Basics 30 Hour STARS Certificate
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Negative TB Test results done within the last 12 months
- 1st Aid & Infant, Child and Adult CPR (expires every two years)
- 2 hour BBP Certificate (expires every year)
- Food Handlers Card (expires every 2 years)
- Safe Sleep Training (expires every year)
- 10 hours continuing education completed yearly before the end of the calendar year
- Read all handbooks provided for families with Blossoms Childcare
