Daycare Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Daycare Teacher – Infants Through 4 Years Old

Position: Daycare Teacher
Age Group: 6 Weeks – 4 Years Old
Department: Childcare/Classroom
Reports To: Director/Assistant Director

Position Summary

The Daycare Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, clean, and educational environment for children ages 6 weeks through 4 years old. The teacher will support each child's physical, emotional, social, and developmental needs while maintaining a positive and professional classroom environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide attentive and loving care to children at all times.
• Actively supervise children and maintain proper ratios according to center and state requirements.
• Follow daily classroom schedules, routines, and lesson plans.
• Provide age-appropriate learning activities, play, music, books, and hands-on experiences.
• Assist children with feeding, diapering, toileting, handwashing, and other personal-care needs.
• Follow all classroom procedures for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary classroom throughout the day.
• Properly sanitize toys, tables, equipment, and classroom areas as required.
• Complete daily classroom documentation, including attendance, meals, diapering, naps, activities, and incident/injury reports when applicable.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with parents and guardians.
• Immediately notify administration of any injury, accident, biting incident, unusual behavior, illness, or safety concern involving a child.
• Follow all center policies and procedures regarding parent communication.
• Use the center's approved communication system for parent communication and do not use personal social media accounts, personal cell phones, or private messaging to communicate with parents regarding daycare business unless specifically authorized by administration.
• Protect the confidentiality and privacy of children and families.
• Work cooperatively with other teachers and administration as part of a team.
• Assist with classroom transitions, opening/closing procedures, meals, snacks, nap time, and outdoor activities.
• Ensure children are dressed appropriately and their personal belongings are properly maintained.
• Follow all health, safety, emergency, sanitation, and child-protection procedures.
• Attend staff meetings, training, CPR/First Aid training, and other required professional-development activities.
• Maintain professional conduct and appropriate boundaries with children, parents, coworkers, and administration.

Infant & Toddler Responsibilities

Teachers working with infants and toddlers must be especially attentive to:

• Safe diapering and feeding procedures.
• Proper bottle preparation and feeding documentation.
• Safe sleep practices.
• Frequent diaper checks and changes.
• Monitoring developmental milestones.
• Providing tummy time and age-appropriate activities.
• Never leaving an infant or child unattended.
• Closely monitoring children during transitions, play, meals, and nap time.

Preschool Responsibilities

Teachers working with preschool-age children will:

• Provide age-appropriate educational activities.
• Encourage independence and positive social skills.
• Assist with potty training when appropriate.
• Prepare children for the transition into the next classroom or school setting.
• Encourage language, communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and classroom readiness.

Professional Expectations

The Daycare Teacher is expected to:

• Arrive on time and ready to work .
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude.
• Dress appropriately and follow the center's dress code.
• Keep personal cell-phone use to a minimum and only use it when permitted by center policy.
• Never use inappropriate language around children.
• Never yell at, threaten, shame, or use inappropriate discipline with a child.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with families.
• Follow the chain of command when addressing concerns.
• Be dependable, respectful, and willing to work as part of a team.
• Follow all policies outlined in the Awaken Christian Academy/Awaken Daycare Employee Handbook .

Qualifications

• Must meet applicable state childcare licensing requirements.
• Previous childcare experience preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred or required within the required timeframe.
• Must successfully complete required background checks and screenings.
• Must demonstrate patience, dependability, professionalism, and a genuine love for working with children.
• Must be able to safely perform the physical duties required of a childcare teacher, including lifting, bending, sitting on the floor, standing, walking, and assisting children as needed.

Important Job Expectation

The safety and well-being of every child comes first. Teachers are responsible for maintaining active supervision, following all daycare policies, documenting incidents appropriately, and communicating concerns to administration promptly. Failure to follow center policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.