JOB CLASSIFICATION
Teaching Staff

QUALIFICATIONS 

A Lead Teacher must:
-Be at least 19 years of age
-Have a high school degree or equivalent education
-Meet Lead Caregiver requirements per the State Licensing Standards (Infant and toddler lead teachers must have 3 semester hours or 4.5 CEUs in infant/toddler development)
-Submit to various background checks including those completed through the Department of Human Services, the Michigan State Police Department and FBI Fingerprinting
-Be CPR, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen certified or obtain certification upon hire
-Complete a Tuberculosis test and physical and provide a physician’s documentation of both
-Be mentally and physically capable of caring for a large group of children alone in a classroom
-Possess a strong work ethic, be punctual, and have minimal absences
-Have an awareness of the unique needs of young children and have appropriate expectations of their abilities
-Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 70lbs
-Be available for full time employment and available to work as late as 6:30 pm
-Have dependable transportation

REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS
-Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social, and physical
needs as well as their educational needs
-Utilize developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times
-Be a positive role model for all care giving staff and children
-Be customer service orientated and professional
-Provide excellent customer service according to the standards of AppleTree/Gilden Woods
-Appropriately meet the requirements as listed in the dress code policy
-Complete all annual and ongoing professional development requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Including, but not limited to, the following:
-Be the primary caregiver (when applicable)
-Assist children with activities of daily life (restroom use, diapering, hand washing)
-Appropriately supervise children while keeping them safe at all times
-Engage children in activities and play that stimulates their development
-Approach parents daily and speak with them about their child(ren)
-Creating and maintaining an environment that is clean, organized, and safe for all children
-Establish a professional level of rapport with each family in order to provide quality care and friendly service
-Supervise assistant teacher in the classroom and ensure they are following program policy and customer service expectations
-Train any assistant teacher in the classroom and direct them as to what duties need to be carried out throughout the day
-Implement curriculum and plan daily activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children
-Conduct child assessments and facilitate parent-teacher conferences
-Attend and engage in occasional parent participation events and other events that may be on nights and/or weekends
-Prepare monthly parent newsletters and weekly lesson plans according to policy
-Be responsible for AppleGrams and the daily activities pertaining to eating, sleeping, and diaper changing

-Maintain a professional self-image and project the values of the organization at all times
-Be responsible for completing the required daily and weekly nap time tasks (when applicable)

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR
Lead Teachers report directly to the Curriculum Coordinator or Assistant Director