Preschool Child Care Educator 2

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Kids Place Preschool is part of the St. Louis Park Public Schools Community Education at the Central Early Learning Community Center a state-of-the-art building designed for our youngest children and families. Kids Place Preschool serves children ages 33 months to 5 years with a 10:1 student-to-adult ratio. The mission of St. Louis Park Public Schools is to see inspire and empower each learner to live their brilliance in an environment that centers student voice and experience creating racially equitable learning that energizes the spirit of community.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the guidance of the Classroom Lead and the supervision of the Kids Place Preschool Supervisor the Preschool Educator 2s primary responsibility is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment that reflects and celebrates the brilliance of each child. The Preschool Educator 2 supports the implementation of high-quality culturally responsive developmentally appropriate learning experiences; promotes childrens cognitive social-emotional physical and language development; and supports the individual needs strengths identities and experiences of all children. The position works collaboratively with classroom staff families specialists and other school personnel to foster positive relationships support childrens learning and well-being maintain a safe and inclusive classroom environment and ensure compliance with program and DHS requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction and Curriculum

• Support instruction that aligns with the St. Louis Park Public Schools vision mission and core values.
• Collaborate with classroom educators to develop plan and implement high-quality culturally responsive developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster thinking reasoning problem-solving and meet the unique needs of all children.
• Support learning experiences across a variety of developmental and curricular areas through play exploration hands-on activities and responsive interactions.
• Utilize observations and a variety of assessment tools to support instructional planning and meet individual childrens needs.
• Support childrens curiosity independence communication problem-solving and social-emotional development through positive and responsive interactions.

Learning Environment and Child Development

• Help create and maintain a safe welcoming inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning environment that reflects and affirms childrens identities cultures families abilities and experiences.
• Apply knowledge of child development and the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) to support childrens individual developmental and learning needs.
• Support positive relationships self-regulation communication conflict resolution and independence through play routines and classroom activities.
• Actively supervise children and support their health safety well-being and engagement throughout the day.

Classroom Support and Collaboration

• Support classroom educators in implementing daily routines learning experiences classroom activities and other instructional responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with classroom educators specialists and other school personnel to support childrens behavioral developmental social-emotional and instructional needs.
• Provide assistance and support to substitutes and volunteers working in the classroom as appropriate.
• Participate in regular staff and team meetings individual professional development and other collaborative learning opportunities.
• Develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships with children families staff administrators and community members.

Family Partnerships and Communication

• Build respectful positive relationships with children and families and contribute to effective communication about childrens learning development strengths and classroom experiences.
• Support classroom educators in developing partnerships with families that promote continuity between home and school and support individual childrens needs.

Professional Responsibilities

• Ensure and maintain compliance with all applicable DHS Certified Center requirements district policies procedures and program expectations.
• Maintain accurate and timely classroom child and program documentation as required.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and apply current early childhood practices to support childrens learning and development.
• Demonstrate professionalism reliability flexibility collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of early childhood development developmentally appropriate practice culturally responsive approaches play-based learning and the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs).
• Knowledge of observation documentation assessment and using assessment information to support childrens individual learning and development.
• Ability to support the implementation of engaging developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote curiosity communication problem-solving independence and social-emotional development.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a teaching team and contribute positively to a safe inclusive and engaging learning environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children families colleagues administrators and community members.
• Strong communication interpersonal collaboration organization and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow DHS Certified Center requirements district policies and procedures and program expectations.
• Complete 50 hours of Professional Development per year

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit use hands talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand walk reach with hands and arms and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Preferred: Child Development Associates degree (CDA) or Baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education Child Development Elementary Education Early Childhood Special Education

Child Psychology or a related field.

• Required: One (1) year of related childcare experience.
• Required: complete and pass a Department of Homeland Security background check every 3 years to ensure the safety and security of the children in care.
• First Aid and CPR Certification

BENEFIT INFORMATION St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information including specific benefits and associated costs please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts .

Required Experience:

IC