ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and facilitate developmentally-appropriate individual and group lessons utilizing Creative Curriculum to stimulate growth in language, literacy, mathematical, cognitive, physical, and social skills that are responsive to the evolving learning needs of each child.
• Lead an engaging and inclusive classroom experience that empowers children to develop curiosities, initiative, risk-taking and a sense of accomplishment by encouraging children to think, reason, question and experiment, while encouraging children’s independence and self-selection of learning activities through play based learning approaches. 
• Establish warm and responsive relationships that allow each child to feel recognized, acknowledged and secure.
• Create an environment that is safe and nurturing by establishing and implementing a daily schedule, establishing a structured social construct through shared decision-making, and providing support for children to regulate their own behavior.
• Maintain a healthy, safe and clean environment for children and colleagues.
• Manage to all regulatory standards, rules and requirements, including those for NAEYC accreditation, Paths to QUALITY™, CACFP and Indiana child care center licensing.
• Conduct and document regular, objective observations of children’s learning, utilizing adopted assessment tools to collect evidence of learning and development to interpret, adjust, refine, and redirect instructional practice.
• Engage in ongoing two-way communication that supports the family as a partner in their child’s education.
• Participate in school-based family engagement activities.
• Other duties as assigned to advance the mission of Early Learning Indiana. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

An individual must have the following education and/or experience.

• Child Development Associate (CDA) required. Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Developmental or Child Psychology, Elementary Education or closely related field preferred.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in an early childhood setting working directly with young children is preferred.
• Satisfactorily complete and maintain all required certifications

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

The successful team member will demonstrate individual competency in the following areas:

• Knowledge of child growth and development
• Ability to build and nurture relationships
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and be detail-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to take initiative and work proactively
• Customer service orientation
• Creative and critical thinking skills
• Flexibility and adaptability

WORK CONTEXT

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The team member frequently is required to:

• Stand, walk, sit
• Use hands and fingers to handle books, paper, technology
• Use computer and other electronic equipment and technology
• See and read
• Communicate with multiple audiences, including children, colleagues, and management
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl
• The team member must frequently lift children or equipment up to 35 pounds.
• The team member must occasionally lift children or equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Legally able to work in the United States for any employer.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements.

Employment with Early Learning Indiana is contingent upon satisfactorily completing pre-employment requirements. Pre-employment screenings include, but are not limited to, criminal background and drug screenings. Employment with Early Learning Indiana is at-will.