Child Care Lead Teacher

Lead TeacherThe Lead Teacher is responsible for general administrative duties as assigned, for supervision of subordinate staff, and for planning, preparing, and implementing daily activities, monitoring children’s progress, and maintenance of related records for assigned classrooms. We are currently looking for older 1yr old, 3yr old and 4 yr old Lead Teachers. The Lead Teacher will support the cooperative relationship among families, staff, and administration.This position involves mentoring, modeling, training, and coaching their team and support staff on NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and best practices. Best practices include the philosophies of Little Beginnings which are based on Conscious Discipline, Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculums, and Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment.The Lead Teacher reports to the Director.Qualifications and CommitmentMust have CDA Certification1-2 years of experienceThe Lead Teacher position requires a communicative and collaborative process between the Director, Assistant Director, as well as your teaching team and the individuals in your team.As the Lead Teacher, your role is to:Supervise your team, share successful practices through teamwork and reflective practice, act as a problem-solver, assist with building classroom teacher relationships, create an environment for addressing classroom issues, support and assist new teachers in their practice, and build shared norms to enable teachers to give and receive ideas and assistance.Identify areas of growth in classrooms, observe children and behavioral/academic issues, support staff in areas of classroom management, curriculum development, Conscious Discipline implementation.Plan collaborative planning meetings, provide opportunities for members of the team to participate in planning, ask questions, ask for help and receive feedback/ideas on curriculum, classroom management, TSG, etc.Observe implementation of TS Curriculums and GOLD as well as Conscious Discipline, provide reflective constructive observations for growth for your team and the children in your classroom.Principal Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but are not limited to):General ResponsibilitiesArriving on time and ready to work: Lead Teachers must work one of the later schedules: either 8:30am-5:30pm, 9:15-6:15, or 9:00am-6:00pm (8:00-5:00 or 8:15-5:15 COVID Hours).Dressing in a manner which is appropriate for active play with young children.During the work day, maintaining positive, alert, energetic and supportive interactions with children and other staff.Planning discretionary annual leave and sick leave in a way which does not interfere with the operation of the center as a whole, subject to the approval of the Director.Calling the Director or Assistant Director immediately if unable to come to work due to illness or personal emergency.Clocking in and out for the day and for lunch break in the Little Beginnings office on a daily basis.Fulfilling personnel requirements established for Lead Teachers in child care programs as determined by Little Beginnings and licensing standards of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Arlington County.Keeping required employee records up-to-date in personnel files.Assuming an equal share of the joint housekeeping duties in the classroom and at the center.Pay Range$24.00-$28.00 per hourAge Groups:Older 1yr olds3yr olds4yr oldsInteractions with ChildrenProvide a warm, nurturing safe and loving environment where self-concepts are enhanced, independence is encouraged and individuality, culture and family values are respected.Use positive guidance techniques to help children interact in a group and to develop self-discipline.Interact frequently with children, encouraging them to share experiences, ideas and feelings, and involve them in both individual and group activities.Work with children one-on-one, small and large groups, supervising activities, keeping children on task.Creating schedules and routines, ensuring children have a proper balance of rest and physical activities.Supervision of StaffUnderstand the strengths and weakness of each team member and manage team responsibilities to take advantage of individual strengths.Determine the learning and communication preferences of team members and plan training and communication accordingly.Maintain a positive approach to problem-solving.Accept responsibility for team functioning so that change is possible. Look to yourself for changes you can make before expecting others to be willing to change.CurriculumFocus on preparing children to be ready for the next class by providing them with early learning foundations in pre-reading readiness and STEM experiences.A Brain Smart Start is included daily. Baby doll circle time and Feeling buddies are included in weekly activities.Plan daily activities that are based on the needs of the individual child with concerns for his/her interests, culture, special needs, special talents, individual learning style and preferred pace of activity.Involves the children in planning activities.Work with your team to provide a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials that encourage the social, physical, emotional and cognitive development of both the individual and the group in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the Center.Be responsible for all mealtime activities of the group.Sit at the table with the children at meal times; provide a “family” type atmosphere by encouraging conversation and consideration of others.Model and encourage but never force children to try new foods.Treat with equal importance all foods served at the Center.Observe and record children’s behavior and interests. Use these observation records as a basis for planning activities.Work with your team to plan regular outdoor activities and field trips appropriate to the age of the children and the learning objectives of the curriculum.Parent RelationsEstablish and maintain good communication with parents through informal and formal contacts including helping to plan and participating in the annual “Back To School Night” night in September and assisting as needed in two formal parent-teacher conferences per year in October/November and April/May.Encourage parent participation in the program.Treat all parents with respect for their problems and their point of view.Ensure journals are being sent home as per the classroom schedule. Make sure staff are including the necessary documentation in the journalsEnsure newsletters are being sent out every Friday.Physical Environment, Health and SafetyHelp to prepare a warm and safe environment that is orderly, clean, appealing, encourages independence, and permits the child to grow and explore.Assure that children are never left alone and are adequately supervised at all times.Make sure that children are supervised in the bathroom and assisted with toileting if necessary according to the developmental level of each child and center’s philosophy.Assist in the evacuation of the building in an emergency and be able to respond to any emergency situation.Maintain current knowledge of emergency procedures.Comply with all Center policies for universal precautions and infection control guidelines and procedures.Arrange with the Director to make timely requests for new equipment and supplies within budget guidelines.ProfessionalismMaintain all required records and files.Compile individual descriptions of children’s development and examples of their work to use as a basis for planning appropriate activities, communicating with parents or making referrals to other agencies.Demonstrate continued professional growth through such things as membership in professional organizations, attendance at professional workshops, conferences, meetings and/or college courses and providing an appropriate advocacy role for the welfare of young children in the community.Understand and apply all regulations in the Virginia Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers which relate to this position.Assist and support other staff members.Conduct oneself at all times in a professional manner. This includes