Job Summary

Plans and implements the daily curriculum for children in the classroom. Oversees and coordinates the children’s personal care, hygiene, learning activities, specialized programs and positive guidance. Maintains classroom records and developmental checklist. Ensures that classroom and other play areas are consistently clean and safe. Informs parents of their children’s progress on a daily basis. Keeps director informed on a timely basis of pertinent issues regarding staff, children, families, and the program.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Education, Curriculum and Classroom Responsibilities

• Plans and implements curriculum activities and lesson plans that promote children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Implements program schedule for the classroom, outdoor time, meals, snacks, and special activities.
• Uses positive guidance techniques consistent with state regulations, counsel’s children when social, academic or adjustment problems arise. Uses a confident, firm tone of voice in handling behavioral problems, not a shrill or angry voice. Never uses food or rest as a punishment.
• Keeps accurate and current records of each child’s developmental milestones, anecdotal records, and attendance in the Child Pilot app.
• Logs all meals/bottles, all diaper changes/bathroom breaks, beginning and ending of all nap times, at least 3 activities and 2 pictures daily in Child Pilot. Informs parents of the child’s general mood for the day in Child Pilot and in person.
• Establishes developmentally appropriate room arrangement, décor, and learning environment in the classroom.
• Maintains classroom bulletin boards.
• Plans formal and informal parent conferences with director’s guidance.
• Ensures that daily list of activities is posted for parents.
• Has strong working knowledge of Texas Minimum Standards as they pertain to center operations.
• Directs classroom aide and volunteers in a professional manner
• Opens or closes the classroom and ensures items are cleaned, stocked and ready for the day. May wash toys, laundry or dishes. May gather and stock items needed for diapering, cleaning, feeding and diapering.
• Establishes and maintains primary caregiver groups (ratio) as outline by Minimum Standards.
• Plans and updates “sub plans”
• Updates the classroom board in a timely manner
• If teacher is participating in TSR or any other program, all rules and obligations must be met for the program.

Interactions with Others

• Welcomes families, volunteers and others in to the classroom by creating a friendly environment and facilitating their participation. Demonstrates tact, courtesy, tolerance and consideration for others. Interactions with individuals reflect mutual trust, respect and support.
• Shares information appropriately with other staff members/keeps classroom staff informed but doesn’t violate confidentiality with those who have no need to know.
• Treats each child with dignity and respect. Respects the privacy of children by not discussing children or their families in front of other children. Includes children in conversation with parents when the child is present and being discussed.
• Observes, records, and reports to director any significant behavior of children or staff that could adversely affect the quality of care provided.
• Actively participates in center events, staff training sessions, meetings, and programs.
• Immediately notifies director of needed repairs to the building, play area, equipment or toys throughout the facility. Ensures that children are not exposed to equipment or situations that could affect their health or safety.
• Accepts temporary work assignments in the event regularly scheduled staff is not available. May answer phones, assist the cook, clean and organize or file as needs of the program dictate.
• Interacts appropriately and professionally with parents through the Child Pilot app.

Health and Safety

• Implements appropriate emergency procedures in the event of fire, tornado, chemical leak, or other emergency situations.
• Administers CPR/First Aid or other appropriate emergency procedures in the event of serious student accidents or emergencies and correctly prepares an incident/illness report or behavior report for parent notification
• Properly maintains educational materials and equipment; ensures that children are using equipment in an appropriate manner.
• Keeps classroom and other play areas safe, neat, and clean. The teacher is responsible for cleaning and picking up any room/place their primary care group has used including cafeteria, gym, outdoors.
• Maintains logs, Child Pilot and emergency binders.
• Must be alert and responsive to children at all times.

Qualifications

• The teacher must meet or exceed state licensing requirements for age (must be 18 years old), education (high school diploma or GED required), and experience. Previous work experience is preferred.
• Must be able to repeatedly bend, stoop and run; must repeatedly lift and carry children.
• Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with children and parents.
• Must be able to work effectively with a diverse staff.
• Maintain current infant/child CPR and first aid certification.
• The teacher is required to maintain at least 24 hours of training each year. Training will reflect infant topics such as infant brain development, diapering procedures, Frog Street Curriculum training and other topics specific to infants.

Reporting Relationships

The teacher reports directly to the director, he/she also takes direction from other center management personnel, including, but not limited to the assistant director and the kitchen manager.