Infant/Toddler Co-Lead Teacher

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Infant/Toddler Co-Lead Teacher will provide comprehensive services that support the development of the whole child, with a focus on school readiness. Teachers will create a safe, supervised, inclusive, educational setting where all children can experience success. Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos will be implemented to fidelity by teachers to provide a framework for embedding learning into routines. and Teachers will provide sensory rich, hands-on experiences for enrolled children. Supplemental curricula may be used to ensure all developmental domains are incorporated in planning the educational experiences being offered. 

Teachers will create a classroom culture that acknowledges families as the primary caregivers and educators of their children and promotes family engagement in the classroom and home settings. Teachers will participate in a regular schedule of screenings and follow-up with referrals as necessary. Teaching Strategies Gold will provide teachers with an on-line assessment and planning tool. Teachers will be responsible for accurately entering data for each child into TSG and using outcomes to inform curriculum development and to individualize instruction for all children. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with at least 30 credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE), including one course that is specific to Infant/Toddler development. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered with a commitment of obtaining an Infant / Toddler Credential within 12 months of hire.
• Minimum of 1500 hours of experience, working with infants and toddlers in an early childhood program.
• Comply with NH Child Care Licensing Rules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to utilize online data systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide a safe and healthy environment for infants and toddlers including implementation of active supervision strategies.
• Participate in pre-service training and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Act as primary caregiver to children assigned to you to support secure attachments and continuity of care.
• Develop and maintain consistent routines (feeding, diapering, napping, etc.) and embed learning opportunities within those routines whenever possible.
• Provide rich opportunities for sensory exploration, social interaction, experimentation, problem-solving and making appropriate choices.
• Plan and provide a comprehensive program that is inclusive of at-risk children, children with disability, and those from diverse families. Implement Creative Curriculum for Infant, Toddlers and Twos with fidelity, and other appropriate supplemental curricula in compliance with NH Child Care Licensing Rules. Utilize Teaching Strategies Gold for collection and reporting of child assessment data.
• Conduct developmental screenings of children within 45 days of enrollment.
• Individualize instruction for each child using assessment data and other sources to inform planning.
• Guide and facilitate daily activities for children, including creating an enriching learning environment for children, that is based on children’s interest through the selection and arrangements of equipment in the classroom.
• Work in a team setting to design and implement plans that will engage children in developmentally appropriate, meaningful experiences.
• Manage classroom operations; provide supervision, guidance and coaching to childcare floats, substitute staff, and classroom volunteers.
• Ensure that all classroom staff sign-in each morning and sign-out when they leave at the end of the day. Sign-in and out should occur at staff break times, as well.
• Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the classroom, fostering a positive home-classroom connection and family partnership. Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents and guardians.
• Provide developmentally appropriate activities parents can do at home with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning. Encourage parents to become involved in the classroom and other center activities.
• Provide a family-style setting, eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
• Maintain and monitor accurate child attendance records, USDA meal counts, in-kind reports and other record keeping and reports as required. Submit documentation in a timely manner. Assure that files are complete, accurate and confidentially maintained.
• Conduct a minimum of 2 home visits and parent/teacher conferences, according to program schedule and policies and procedures.
• Help organize and encourage parent involvement.
• Continue professional development by participating in ongoing ECE education, training programs, attending workshops/conferences as budget allows; developing professional goals to work toward each year; maintaining and updating required certifications such as first aide and CPR, TSG interrater reliability, and the CC Licensing required ProSolutions certifications.
• Actively engage in practice-based coaching.
• Participate fully in program staffing's, staff meetings, and collaborative meetings with other agencies, as assigned. Attend case conferencing when applicable.
• Report any concerns for safety, health, or non-compliance to the Site Supervisor and/or ECE Management Team or ECE Director.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisor that are reasonably within the scope of duties listed above.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality
• Excellent organization and time management skills with ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel when necessary.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by families living in poverty.
• Reliable source of transportation with 100/300 liability insurance coverage.
• Physical strength/endurance/mobility to perform in a standard daily required work routine (i.e. walking, sitting, lifting, and driving to various sites as required).
• Maintain and model good hygiene, appropriate dress (neat, clean and modest), and professional behavior to families, staff and the community.
• Maintain a positive and productive attitude.
• Demonstrate, through positive words and actions, respect for and acceptance of income eligible families.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Be able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and families on a regular basis
• Good communication skills and ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate instructions

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Substitute Staff and Classroom Volunteers

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Respects confidentiality of information about agency staff, personnel issues, and other program operations.
• Available to attend occasional evening program events.
• Models direct, positive, honest, and respectful behavior in every aspect of work with children, families, staff, and community members.
• Energetically engages people, issues, and work.
• Applies the highest ethical standards to themselves and others on a daily basis.
• Supports others in their efforts to be productive and effective and succeed in work and life.
• Actively participates in teambuilding, which includes sharing ideas and mutual support of team members.
• Consistently uses interpersonal skills that are appropriate for individual styles, personalities, cultures, the nature of the work, and the environment in which the work is being done.
• Practices honest, respectful, and direct communication as well as active listening.

EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Valid Driver's License and insured vehicle (100/300 minimum coverage) for use on the job or acceptable alternative, driving record check, criminal record check, randomized drug screening.

Head Start, Early Head Start, Childcare, and Home Visiting Programs are also subject to the following: Head start, and childcare licensing requires a criminal record check and finger printing to be completed prior to employment. An initial physical examination record, including a TB screening must be obtained within 60 days of hire, updated every three years, and be kept on file with Human Resources. If a TB screening indicates high risk, results of a TB test must be kept on file including any treatment received. An initial driving record check will be conducted. License information will also be submitted to the agency's automobile insurance carrier.