Lead Child Care Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

We are not your traditional child care center--want to work somewhere new and exciting? Like to paint, sing, knit/crochet, needle/wet felt, garden or want to learn? If the answer is yes to any of these, then our center might be the right place for you! 

Enjoy nurturing children's imaginations and need to explore? Then, join us on our adventures at our nature based center for fun and discovery! Our child care center is seeking a lead child care teacher to run a multi-age classroom. Mixed age groups make the classroom become a home-like family environment and creates a stronger, deeper style of learning. We are seeking a co-lead teacher to work MW 8am-5pm and F 7am-4pm. Our 3 large outdoor play spaces provide ample opportunities for outdoor learning. In addition, we have access to 100 acres of forest exploration. We also pride ourselves in community involvement; including story time at the library; FFA petting zoo at the elementary; ornaments on the square; walks to the park; and mother's day flower baskets made with the high school agriculture students...to name a few. 

A little bit about us....

Our mission statement: The Climbing Tree Child Care and Family Education Center is dedicated to providing a family-style, home-like environment that offers nurturance, warmth, safety, and gentle and appropriate sensory stimuli for the young child and an interactive outdoor life that emphasizes our interconnectedness with the natural world.

The primary goal of our center is for staff and families to work cooperatively to create opportunities for each child to develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively at their own pace and in their own style. We aim to foster self-reliance in work and play as a cornerstone for igniting each child's joyful self-esteem.'

What You'll Do

• Coordinate and implement educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards
• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth.
• Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Ensure all center policies and state regulations are met.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment - including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Set up and care for environment for comfort, safety, and motivation of all ages 
• Supervise teacher assistants and classroom volunteers to ensure they are following planned activities, hygiene and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Requirements

• Flexible and the ability to adapt to change
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
• Positive attitude and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development.
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification (will offer to train, if do not have)
• SBD, SIDS, CAN trainings (will train, if do not have)
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Tend to our gardens and help maintain our play yards.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Attend regular monthly staff meetings 
• Help plan and attend 4 festivals per year 
• Complete two parent teacher conferences per year 
• Complete annual continuing education training as required by state (25 hrs) 
• Help plan and attend 1 work day per year 
• Mentor and help facilitate professional growth for assistant caregivers 
• Provide a summary of your suite activities to the Director to be included in the quarterly newsletter 

Nice To Haves

• 1+ years of professional child care experience.
• Degree in early childhood education or related field of study with a minimum of 30 Credits in ECE.
• Experience in gardening/nature 
• Creative art/hand skills (crocheting, knitting, sewing, needle felting, watercolor painting, drawing, etc.)
• Musical talent (instrument and/or singing)

Benefits

• Paid professional development
• Tuition reimbursement & scholarships available
• Paid curriculum planning time per week