Toddler Teacher

Full-time (40 Hours per week - 8:30-5:00) 

Wakefield RI

General Responsibility: To work cooperatively with all classroom, program, and agency staff while assisting with the daily operations of a Tri-County Joyful Learning Child Academy classroom. Provide enrolled children with an educational experience that is conducive to optimal development, and build and maintain positive relationships with enrolled families.

Specific Responsibilities:Attend relevant trainings/workshops/conferences (minimum of 24 hours) each program year. Maintain required professional development criteria set by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Department of Human Services (DHS). Encourage parent involvement in all areas of the program. Provide an environment which is socially and emotionally supportive to children and their families. This environment must be accepting and supportive of building ethnic pride and a positive self-concept, enhance individual strengths and develop ability in building social relationships. Foster the development of intellectual skills by promoting language use and understanding; encourage children to problem-solve, organize experiences, understand concepts, initiate activities, explore and experiment, question and gain mastery through hands-on experiences and learning through play. Create/provide written daily plans that include time for the following activities: Individual, small/large group, quiet, active/gross motor, small muscle/fine motor, outdoor (weather permitting), child-initiated, and teacher-directed. Curriculum should be complete at least 2 weeks in advance. Curriculum plans are due to the Education Coordinator on a monthly basis. Assist children in working toward developmentally appropriate skill sets as related to the Rhode Island Early Learning & Development Standards and Creative Curriculum. Create ideas/plans for individualizing curriculum that is relevant and reflective of the needs of each child. Include parents/guardians in curriculum development and use them as resources. Conduct on-going observations, recording, and evaluating each child’s growth and development for the purpose of planning activities to suit individual needs. Supervise Teacher Assistants and provide feedback on skills and allow input to the curriculum including individualization for children. Conduct Parent/Teacher Conferences when appropriate and if necessary. Enhance parents’ knowledge and understanding of the educational and developmental needs and activities of children in the program. Ensure that all flammable and other dangerous materials and potential poisons are stored in a locked cabinet or other storage facility accessible only to authorized persons. Ensure that indoor and outdoor premises and equipment are kept free and clean, on a daily basis of undesirable and hazardous material and conditions. The daily cleaning and maintenance of these areas is imperative to maintaining a healthy and safe environment. Concerns resulting in the decreased safety of children and families are to be reported to the Center Director immediately. Ensure classroom meets DCYF licensing requirements. Attend IFSP/IEP meetings when necessary. Act as a support for families through the developmental screening process. Work cooperatively with the local school district to identify, plan and provide services for children’s individual needs. Participate and prepare for BrightStars quality ratings every 3 years. Actively participate in the process of Quality Improvement observations to maintain and improve Joyful Learning's 4-star rating.

Qualifications: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (or related field) required, valid Teaching Certificate through the State of Rhode Island preferred. Must have RIELDS (Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards) training or be willing to attain within the first year of employment.

Special Qualifications: Love of children and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with families is a must. Understand children and family’s special circumstances. Experience with infants, toddlers or pre-school aged children for at least one year. Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with families. Organized, professional, efficient, decisive. Demonstrate an understanding of everyone’s experiences, every day. Ensuring the delivery of services that recognizes and respects that every moment matters.

Competitive Benefit Package: We offer an excellent, competitive salary and benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability insurance, as well as a 403b Savings Plan/Pension with an Agency match, Vacation, Sick, Holiday time and access to Agency-sponsored EAP services for employees and their families. Many training opportunities are available that include, but are not limited to various educational experiences, certificate programs, CPR and First Aid training as well as ongoing occasions for additional learning. Tri-County is a qualified entity for employees to access loan repayment opportunities.

Application Process: Please visit our website at www.tricountyri.org to apply and view other current openings. Click on the Career Opportunities link on the bottom of the page.

Tri-County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Tri-County is committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, limited English proficiency (LEP), gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.