EARLY EDUCATION CENTER TEACHER

Job Title : Early Education Center Teacher

Classification Title : RNE (Regular Non-Exempt)-2

Status : Hourly, Non-exempt

Department : Early Education Center (EEC)

Supervisor : EEC Director

Primary Building Location : EEC

The Highlands Recreation District operates under the Community Services District law pursuant to the government code 61000 et seq, for the purpose of providing recreational services within the District. Services are provided under the leadership and direction of an elected Board of Directors. The Highlands Recreation District maintains facilities including the Recreation Center, Early Education Center, After School Center, Tennis Courts, Pool, and Playgrounds in addition to a variety of programs, services and annual special events.

Mission

The Highlands Recreation District is dedicated to providing beneficial and enriching programs and services to its patrons and a place to create and promote health, well-being and community.

Job Summary

The Educator is responsible for caring for and educating young children aged three months through 2 years (infant) or 2 years to 5 years old (toddler / preschool). The educator is responsible for creating a warm and nurturing relationship with each child, designing and maintaining an environment which stimulates curiosity, and utilizes a dynamic emergent curriculum grounded in hands-on exploration and play, inspired by the Reggio-Emilia Approach. The Educator documents each child's growth and learning to make learning visible for children and families. The Educator engages in a highly reflective teaching practice based on child observation, which informs the planning of learning experiences about their developmental level and the California Foundations for Early Learning and NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice. Educators are expected to follow the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct principles.

Essential Functions and Tasks

The foundation of the learning environment at the Early Education Center is that relationships are the core of all experiences.

• Develop and plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflects children's needs, interests, and developmental stages.
• Create and maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom environment conducive to exploration, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Implement and maintain a nutritious snack program that promotes healthy eating habits.
• Conduct comprehensive observations of each child to document developmental progress, using this data to guide curriculum and lesson planning.
• Provide a balance of child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities, ensuring a mixture of active and quiet learning opportunities throughout the day.
• Plan and implement interest-based experiences and curriculum that support cultural diversity and promote physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth.
• Utilize Reggio-Emilia philosophy and play-based learning to facilitate a rich learning environment.
• Foster positive relationships with families, communicating through daily updates and tools such as Brightwheel, and facilitating annual conferences to discuss children's development.
• Welcome parent participation and provide resources and support when needed to facilitate understanding of assessment results and child development.
• Maintain consistent routines to support transitions and encourage self-help skills and independence in children.
• Assist in creating a professional, collaborative, and respectful working environment by participating in team meetings, offering constructive feedback, and engaging in professional development opportunities.
• Stay informed about licensing regulations and assist in compliance efforts with the director / assistant director.
• Provide training and guidance to aides, substitutes, and volunteers in the classroom, ensuring they understand their role and the classroom expectations.
• Regularly assess classroom supplies and materials, ensuring that everything needed for planned activities is available in advance.
• Monitor and maintain the health and well-being of children in your care.
• Assist with diapering, toilet learning, and hygiene practices for children, ensuring they are supported in developing good hygiene habits and independence in a positive and respectful manner.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's)

Required Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

Physical Demands and Work Environment

1 . The position works in an indoor classroom and outdoor play area which is subject to severe hot, cold and inclement weather.

Compensation - $26.00 - $34.00 / hour

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of Section 1 of the California Industrial Welfare Commission Orders.

Benefits

This position is employed through the Highlands Recreation District which offers employees of this classification to receive medical, dental, vision insurance, health and dependent care saving accounts, paid sick and vacation time, paid holidays, and Simple IRA (if employee makes more than $5,000 in a year) and 457 retirement plans with District match , and employee discounts in accordance with Highlands Recreation District Employee Handbook.

Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action

The Highlands Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Required Staff Training

Prior and during hiring process, all employees are required to complete the following compliance online training sessions through Paylocity. Employees will be enrolled in the training soon after their appointment is processed and will be notified via email from the HR department.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Employees are required to undergo and complete a successful background check that includes verification of employment and education, as well as a check of criminal records for employment. Candidates for positions where the employee will come in regular contact with minors will be required to be fingerprinted. This policy includes emergency hires and may also be applicable to volunteers depending on the work they will be doing.?

In some cases, a background check will include a Department of Motor Vehicles check, as well as a check of licenses and certificates when applicable.

California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act

All childcare workers are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing.

Salary Description

26-$34 / hour

Salary : $5,000