Child Care Leader

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, plans, coordinates and oversees child care program activities in a designated child care center, including designing and implementing a variety of activities, which promote child’s cognitive, linguistic, physical, social-emotional, and self-expressive learning and development in a safe and well supervised manner; carries out program goals and policies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN RELATED CLASSES

Child Care Leader is distinguished from a Child Care Assistant by exercising a significant amount of responsibility in facilitating, planning and coordination of Child Care program activities at an assigned school site; and providing work direction and guidance to incumbents in a Child Care Assistant classification.

Positions in this classification do not provide instructional support in a K-12 classroom and do not fall under the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops written lesson plans and objectives for the purpose of design, planning and implementation of programs for preschool and elementary age children that utilize developmentally appropriate curriculum which focuses children’s attention on a particular concept or topic, offer a balance of staff and child guided activities, include interactive small and large group experiences and opportunities for sustained high-level play; school age programs will include homework assistance as part of the daily schedule.

In collaboration with assigned supervisor, design, implement and maintain site programming and classroom environment utilizing SACERS guidelines.

Establish and maintain files and records related to the program such as registration and enrollment, attendance, use of materials, supplies, equipment and related inventory controls.

Performs operational activities incidental to the operation of the program such as monitoring authorization of persons to sign-in and out students, collection of fees and checks, ordering supplies, preparation of cooking projects and general housekeeping.

Maintains a monthly budget for warehouse supplies and orders supplies.

Assist supervisor in coordinating schedules of assigned center staff to ensure required classroom coverage is maintained.  

Provide information and respond to inquiries from parents participating in the program and the public by interpreting policies and procedures with regard to program operation.

Assist in ensuring a safe and healthy classroom environment to achieve optimal learning and development.

Attend staff meetings, parent meetings, and pre and in-services trainings.

Organize and coordinates fund raisers with supervisor.

Organize and coordinate field trips with and supervisor.

Collaborate with school site Administration and staff.

Maintain ongoing communication with parents and conference as needed.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

ü  Theory and practice of early childhood and/or school-age education

ü  Organization and operation of child care and education programs

ü  Program evaluation methods and assessment tools

ü  Basic elements of team teaching

ü  Principles of classroom health and safety

ü  Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation

ü  Recordkeeping practices and procedures

Ability to:

ü  Learn and apply rules and regulations involved in assigned program functions

ü  Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

ü  Set appropriate boundaries with children and adults utilizing conflict resolution skills and proactive communication, following guidelines established in the Child Care Parent Policy Handbook.

ü  Comprehend and follow directions given verbally and in writing

ü  Demonstrate mental acuity sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position

ü  Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

ü  Apply principles of creativity and flexibility in executing program functions

ü  Establish and maintain a safe and healthful environment

ü  Establish and maintain basic filing systems for program required recordkeeping

ü  Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with children and parents, program staff and the public.

ü  Develop and implement behavior plan as needed to address challenging student behaviors and address individual children’s needs.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT

In order to effectively perform the essential functions of the classification, an incumbent is subject to properly operating the following tools/equipment with or without reasonable accommodation and/or on-the-job training upon job entry.

ü  Operate a variety of office equipment including a personal computer and job-specific software applications, and related peripheral equipment, including, but not limited to fax machine, copier, and printer. 

ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

ü  High School diploma or an equivalent. Associate’s Degree Early Childhood Education/Child Development and/or Teaching Credential as issued by the State of CA are is highly desirable. 

ü  A minimum of two (2) years of Recent experience in child care and education service, in a structured childcare/preschool program

*Alternate variations of education/experience may be considered by Personnel Commission staff as acceptable to qualify for participation in the examination process resulting in an eligibility list.  When appropriate additional work experience beyond the minimum requirement may be supplemented for required minimum education requirements.

Licenses/Certifications/Special Requirements

ü  Completion and/or enrollment in at least one (1) three (3) unit course in early childhood education prior to completion of the six (6) months probationary period.

ü  Valid First-Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) Certificates shall be obtained for permanency in this classification (within 6 months of employment) and must be renewed as necessary during employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

Level - Moderate / Performance of position duties/responsibilities is subject to frequent standing, walking, kneeling with frequent opportunity to move about freely; on an occasional basis the incumbent may have to lift, push, pull, carry, move, and/or position objects weighting up to 50 lbs; the position is subject to exercising continuous manual dexterity (i.e., coordinated and/or precise movement of hands, arms and fingers) throughout a work shift to operate office equipment (i.e. computer and peripherals); the position is not subject to prolonged physical exertion or fatigue.

Environment/Hazards

ü  Indoor and outdoor school classroom, learning center and/or outdoor playground environment

ü  Sitting, crawling on the floor for an extended time during play activities

ü  Exposure to variable weather conditions during outside activities

ü  Water play, swimming and extended walking during summer months

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

ü  California Department of Justice/Federal fingerprints

ü  Tuberculosis screening

ü  X-Ray and Physical Abilities Test on the basis of job-specific functional job analysis

ü  Job knowledge/experience-based selection tests to assess minimum job competence and establish placement on the employment eligibility list used to fill job vacancies.

DISCLAIMER: This classification description is not a complete statement of essential functions, duties/responsibilities, or requirements. Stated requirements are representative of the minimum technical and behavioral job competency requirements. District Administration reserves the discretion to add or modify typical duties of a position as necessary for effective department/site operation.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.