Infant and Toddler Caregiver - Day Care

Description

Summary & Objective

The incumbent in this position is responsible for providing a safe and developmentally appropriate program in accordance with Accreditation guidelines and ensuring compliance with Agency Policies and Procedures, Regulatory Agency requirements, and all Funding Source guidelines.

The incumbent must demonstrate competency in providing effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, planning and implementing learning experiences to ensure effective implementation and use of curriculum and assessment that promotes children’s progress, including children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate, and being able to respectfully, culturally responsively, and build trusting relationships with families.

Essential Functions

• Greets infant/toddler and their parents warmly and with enthusiasm every morning
• Provide daily lesson plan
• Assures that at arrival each child gets individual attention and is gradually assisted to become part of the small group
• Plan and implement activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of the children in the program
• Provide daily a variety of experiences and opportunities that allow the children to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, creativity, and gross motor development
• Responds quickly soothingly and tenderly when children cry or call of distress
• Responds consistently to children’s needs for food and comfort
• Implements individualized feeding plans for children; respects individual preferences and eating styles; sits with toddlers and shares family-style meals, models manners and good nutrition
• Ensure children are supervised at all times including nap time
• Infants are always put on bed on their back
• Supervises parent/legal guardian signature is recorded on a daily basis in the center’s sign-in/out log, and assures that no child is dismissed with a person other than those identified in the center’s registration card.
• Ensure the learning environment is clean and safe.
• Tends to children's personal hygiene needs, remaining attentive to them during routines such as diaper changing, cleaning, feeding, and changing wet or soil clothes.
• Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice and models this attitude and voice to parents and volunteers.
• Administration of medicine and dispensation of first aid is conducted by guidelines.
• Provide a safe and secure environment for children to feel comfortable
• Integrate special needs children positively and respectfully.
• Visually assesses or screens the general health condition of children at arrival time and completes the Health Alert form if necessary
• Identify, refer, and discuss with the appropriate professionals children’s problems as appropriate
• Keep parents informed of program expectations, program activities,s and child’s progress in a positive and tactful fashion
• Conduct developmental screening and ongoing assessment as per guidelines
• Prepare and submit to direct supervisor written record of accidents or unusual incidents and child abuse and neglect according to guidelines
• Record meal counts, and monitor portions according to guidelines
• Develop and maintain current, accurate, and confidential client information
• Talks, sings, and read to children frequently
• Develop culturally appropriate programs and activities
• Observe children and make note of their progress
• Promotes feelings of security and trust in infants and toddlers
• Ensures that children treat each other gently
• Establish routines and provide positive guidance
• Be familiar with emergency procedures
• Maintain an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family
• Encourage each child’s family to be actively involved in the program
• Visits each child’s home to become familiar with the home environment
• Discuss and document children’s development with parents as per guidelines
• Keep classroom inventory updated
• Develop and maintain current, accurate, and confidential client information

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Other Duties

• Attend conferences, trainings, and staff meetings as required
• Maintain deficiency-free and 90% compliance in the safety area and regulations
• Complies with all personnel policies and procedures, including but not limited to dress code, wearing of name badge, professional image and conduct, punctuality, and work attendance
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect towards persons of different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
• Provides orientation to new employees as needed.
• Maintain your required certifications and mandatory skill updates.
• Comply with all policies, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• May serve as an interim department leader depending on need.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds., walk, climb stairs or ladders, stand on feet for extended periods, etc.

Disclaimer

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

EEOC Statement

CHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, and recall. PM19

Requirements

Knowledge & Experience Requirements

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED)
• National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in Infant/toddler
• Bilingual – English / Spanish
• CPR & First Aid Certificate
• Department of Children and Families 45 mandatory training hours must be obtained within 6 months of employment
• Analytical, decision, and problem solving skills
• Effective verbal and listening skills
• Stress management skills
• Time management skills
• Must have knowledge of computer office software
• Must be able to read, write and understand the English language