Early Childhood Education Specialist

General Purpose

Under general supervision, maintains responsibility for assigned classroom or group of children ages 19 months to five years in a child development laboratory school; maintains a developmentally appropriate child-centered program in accordance with the lab school's program philosophy, goals and objectives; plans and implements curriculum; assesses progress and development of children assigned to a classroom/group; when appropriate, meets with parents to discuss their child's progress; models developmentally appropriate educational techniques for Early Childhood Education (ECE) students; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Supervises and interacts directly with children both inside and outside of the classroom; implements a program that is consistent with the theory and practices taught in child development classes and meets the needs of children, families and staff; provides oral and written language experiences appropriate to each child's level of readiness, interest and developmental capability.
• Plans, designs, supervises and implements a developmentally appropriate program for children ages 24 months to five years in most centers and for infants/toddlers less than 24 months of age in centers with infant rooms; develops and implements curriculum and lesson plans; incorporates developmentally and culturally appropriate activities and language experiences; acknowledges the cultural diversities among families and recommends the purchase of supplies and equipment that reflect the diversity within the community; provides models for children to maintain primary language and culture while acquiring a second language and developing an understanding of new cultures.
• Observes and mentors ECE practicum students during their time in the lab, based on the Child Development course outline of record; demonstrates and provides mentoring on developmentally appropriate methods and practices; monitors and provides feedback on the quality of interactions between students and preschoolers; evaluates student performance and provides observations and feedback to instructors.
• Conducts DRDP assessments of children; writes objective developmental descriptions for children based on observation and recording, holds bi-annual conferences with parents to review and revise expectations and special requests and to discuss their child's progress.
• Develops and implements conflict management and problem-solving strategies with children; assists children in identifying and verbalizing concerns and issues and helps them identify compromises and solutions to those issues.
• Assists with nutritional and food handling guidelines; utilizes appropriate food handling procedures; follows all safety precautions to avoid contamination or food spoilage and choking hazards.
• Provides instruction to children on hygiene procedures as necessary; follows universal health precautions; follows a written plan for dealing with blood or bodily fluid spills; ensures that other staff understands and follows plan procedures.
• Follows emergency procedures as required including provision of first aid and CPR; provides information about emergency procedures and health, safety and transportation policies to other staff and parents; assists in all fire and other emergency drills.
• Maintains all adult and child working areas in a clean, safe, sanitary and orderly condition; conducts inspections and reports replacement/repair needs; monitors outdoor play areas to ensure children cannot gain access to unsafe or unsupervised areas.
• Invites and encourages family participation in children's activities after providing ny necessary guidance; provides information about community resources to parents and staff regarding health, social services, mental health, developmental and family support services.
• Follows procedures for child abuse reporting as mandated by law.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.
  
  

Other Duties

• Notifies the Lab School Manager/Coordinators regarding needs for inventory replenishment of Lab School inventory of materials and supplies.
• Maintains up-to-date records on children and/or families.
• Participates in staff meetings, conferences, workshops and training.
• Substitutes for absent staff members.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of child growth and development including ages and stages of child development, developmental assessment processes and methods for implementing developmentally appropriate practice in a laboratory classroom.
• Current Desired Results (DRDP), Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and/or Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS).
• State of California Title 5 and Title 22 licensing requirements and associated compliance requirements.
• NAEYCaccreditation standards.
• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other District, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and policies governing student admissions and records.
• Health, safety and nutrition requirements of young children.
• Methods of observing, recording and evaluating both child and adult behavior.
• Principles and practices of student-teacher mentoring.
• Health and safety regulations for child care.
• Principles and procedures of pediatric emergency first aid and CPR.
  
  

Skills And Abilities To

Develop and maintain effective relationships with children up to five years of age, families, staff and students.

Design, develop and implement developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive and inclusive learning activities with young children based on the child development course outline of record.

Observe and reach sound conclusions regarding the skills and development of young children and apply these data skillfully and respectfully in providing feedback to students and parents.

Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.

Work confidentially and with discretion.

Maintain confidentiality of child/family conversations, records and reports.

Effectively engage in interpersonal communications; negotiate and resolve conflicts.

Administer first aid and/or CPR to children as needed.

Effectively engage and support historicallyminoritizedgroups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Operate a computer and standard business software.

Establish and maintain