Early Childhood Teacher

Overview

As Early Childhood Teacher at Memoral provides a safe and nurturing environment for children to encourage their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development through designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Children and Family services, Creative Curriculum and ExceleRate Illinois.   

Qualifications

Age Requirement:

• The IL Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) requires teachers to be a minimum of 19 years of age.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) required.
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development is strongly desired. Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or related field is strongly preferred.
• In lieu of an Associate’s degree, DCFS requires one of the following:  60 semester hours of college credits with 6 hours directly being related to child care or child development (birth to age 6), or 1 year experience in child development in a nursery school, child care or kindergarten program with 30 semester hours in college with 6 semester hours directly being related to child care or child development (birth to age 6), or completion of credentialing program approved by DCFS (CDA).

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry member within the first 5 days of employment
• Provide 3 letters of reference per DCFS requirements
• Hold or be able to obtain, within 90 days, First Aid/CPR certification

Experience:

• DCFS requires a minimum of one (1) year of experience in child care, early childhood, or child development.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Maintain 20 hrs of in-service hours each fiscal year, 5 hours must be from a Gateway Registry-approved training.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, initiative in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of development.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices.
• Understands the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.

Responsibilities

• Interaction between staff and children:
  • Interacts frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speaks in a friendly, calm, soft and courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
  • Respects and observes children’s interests. Intervenes when needed to maintain safety. Enhances children’s play with language, toys and activities. Encourages and models the appropriate behaviors and expectations.
  • Communicates directly with each child at the child’s level. Engages and communicates constructively with children during activities and routines. Positively extends children’s thinking and actions.
  • Maintains availability and responsiveness to children’s needs, questions, and requests. Acknowledges feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
  • Practices positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s behavior according to MMC’s guidelines.
  • Maintains attentiveness, flexibility and support with children and others during transitions among classrooms.
• Curriculum:
  • Implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum based upon the guidelines set forth in the Creative Curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children. Plans a daily schedule which balances activities using the Creative Curriculum lesson plan.
  • Designs an environment which responds to children’s individual development, physical and emotional needs and interests through the use of Creative Curriculum. Fosters positive self-concepts by supporting individuality, independence, and choices. Encourages creative expression. Respects diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences which reflect both center and global communities.
  • Creates documentation of children’s accomplishments through anecdotal notes, observations and portfolios.
• Faculty/Parent Interactions:
  • Acknowledges parents and all classroom visitors. Invites input from parents regarding their child’s development and care. Responds to parents’ comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect.
  • Maintains confidentiality. Establishes and maintains a Primary Care giving relationship with individual children and their families. Assists in the planning and attend center/classroom events and meetings.
  • Communicates verbally and in writing with parents regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care. Shares resources with parents through discussions, articles, parent boards, etc.
• Physical environment, health safety and nutrition:
  • Maintains and follow all safety and health rules of the center. Supervise children at all times. Demonstrates awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals. Encourages children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
  • Knows the number of children in assigned group and maintains ratios at all times. Maintains accurate attendance records throughout the day. Completes appropriate paperwork (i.e. accidents, medication, etc.).
  • Keeps environment and equipment safe, clean and attractive. Encourages respect for classroom materials.  Alerts others supplies are needed. Organizes materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.
• Professionalism:
  • Maintains confidentiality about issues concerning the out faculty members, children and families or MMC leadership and operations. Supports organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies.
  • Ensures continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, arranging and communicating leave requests in advance. Respects and adheres to staffing schedules which may be adjusted as programs needs change and may include working in another classroom.
  • Attends faculty meetings, training sessions and other center events. Continues professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback and reading professional literature.
  • Receives constructive criticism with a willingness to improve. Provides feedback in a respectful manner.
• Teamwork:
  • Establishes and maintains cooperation and respect with co-workers. Assumes fair share of work and seeks ways to be helpful. Assumes other responsibilities as needed:  kitchen, pets, etc. Offers and shares ideas and materials with others.
  • Participates in teaching team through communication, collaboration and curriculum planning. Communicates and works to resolve conflicts quickly and avoid gossip. Exercises care in expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional conduct of co-workers. Statements are based on first-hand knowledge and relevant to the interests of children and programs.
  • Performs other related work as required or requested.