NATURE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the Program for Infant and Children Coordinator. The position provides a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourage their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. The Teacher plans and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum for enrolled children to prepare students for five-year-old kindergarten.  No supervisory requirements.

About First Steps 4K: The Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP), also known as, First Steps 4K, was created as a pilot program in 2006 and codified alongside the state’s Read to Succeed legislation (Act 284) in June 2014. Children who qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch, those receiving Medicaid, or those with a documented developmental delay are eligible to participate in First Steps 4K at no cost to the family. First Steps

4K is co-administered in private preschool settings by South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness (First Steps), the state’s school readiness initiative.

This position involves activities that require ability to lift 50 lbs., reaching, climbing, fingering, and grasping. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing or analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing surroundings and activities. The worker is not subjected to adverse environmental conditions.

JOB DUTIES 

• Create and implement weekly lesson plans in accordance to the First Steps 4K approved curriculum, ensures lesson plans are developmentally appropriate and reflecting observations and assessments of individual children and goals
• Engage constructively with individual children during actives and routines
• Adhere to the First Steps 4K guidelines
• Attend all required First Steps and Department of Social Services trainings and obtain required continuing education hours.
• Demonstrate effective listening, oral and written communication skills
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by displaying professional behavior to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students, coworkers, parents, supervisors and the public
• Follow all employer policies and procedures at all time
• Actively supports ERI values of acknowledgment, commitment, openness, celebration, and humility.
• Actively support a trauma informed and responsive work environment as demonstrated in the 5 core values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Actively supports and implements Motivational Interviewing as the program’s core evidence based practice.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of early childhood education and development
• Ability to assist in the delivery of appropriate curriculum
• Ability to communicate in both oral and written form to parents and children
• Ability to work within regulatory guidelines
• Demonstrates knowledge of substance use disorders, their effect on the family unit, and appropriate child treatment modalities

REQUIRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

At least six months experience in a childcare setting, provide a minimum of two references familiar with your work history, and able to pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry background check. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education required.