Lead Toddler Teacher

Salary: TBD / Hourly	Location: Lexington, MA
Type: Contractor	Postal Code: 02421

Lead Toddler Teacher

Minuteman High School is looking for a toddler teacher, with mandatory EEC Infant/Toddler teacher certification, to cover until April (full time, not benefit eligible), but on call year round. This position would start immediately. Must be available to work 8am-4:30pm. Apply on schoolspring.com.

Our preschool center in Lexington, MA offers families a caring, nurturing, and encouraging environment for children to grow and learn. Our Philosophy and Curriculum is based on Learning through Play and follows the State Guidelines. We are a NAEYC Accredited Program and a training facility for the High School Students enrolled in the Early Education and Care Program at Minuteman High School. In our educational setting, the children learn to love themselves and each other as well as providing them with enriching activities, songs, and play that promote cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development.

We are currently looking for Qualified Massachusetts Early Childhood Teacher/Mentor Assistants to join our staff of dedicated, creative, and supportive employees. Our hours of operation are from 7 am -4:30 pm and candidates would need to have a flexible schedule. Our program is open year round with 30 children and 5 teachers.

Overview of the Position: Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourage their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Minuteman Career and Technical High School, EEC standards & regulation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Review important decisions with his or her supervisor and maintain positive relationships with parents/guardians, children, and co-workers. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by meeting the physical demands of the position.

Primary Functions:

Interaction Between Faculty and Children

· Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by comforting children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.

· Respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.

· Communicate directly with each child at the child's level.

· Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.

· Be available and responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.

· Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally appropriate.

· Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.

· Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to Minuteman Career and Technical High School.

· Be attentive, flexible, and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.

Curriculum

· Plan, supervise, facilitate, and implement curriculum and daily routine following the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Preschool Standards and Guidelines.

· Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.

· Design an environment that responds to children's individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs, and current interests by consulting appropriate Minuteman Career and Technical High School resources.

· Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities that foster social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question, and experiment.

· Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices.

· Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences that reflect both Center and global communities.

· Plan daily schedule that provides a balance: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc.

· Plan and implement child-oriented, self-initiated activities.

· Provide more than one option for group activity and maintain flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children's interests.

· Create documentation of children's accomplishments via notes, documentation panels, and/or portfolios.

Responsibilities with Students in the Early Education and Care Training Program

· Work as a team member with specific EEC Students

· Provide demonstration teaching as a role model for students in the EEC training program.

· Assign appropriate projects to students and follow up on implementation

· Allow EEC students who are ready, increased responsibility in planning and implementing projects and circle time activities and provide feedback.

· Offer EEC students input and suggestions for future success.

Faculty-Parent/Guardian Interactions

· Acknowledge parents/guardians and all classroom visitors. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous, and professional demeanor.

· Respond to parents/guardians' comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Maintain confidentiality.

· Establish and maintain a primary care giving relationship with individual children and their families that includes initial meeting with families during orientation period.

· Invite input from parents/guardians regarding their child's development and care.

· Communicate verbally and in writing with parents/guardians daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care.

· Plan and facilitate in regular parent/guardian conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child based on appropriate assessment tools (i.e., Developmental Profiles).

· Assist in planning and attend Center/classroom events and meetings.

· Share resources with parents/guardians through discussions, articles, parent/guardians boards, newsletters, and community contacts.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition

· Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the Center.

· Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.

· Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.

· Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.

· Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).

· Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.

· Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.

· Arrange space in clearly defined, well-organized activity areas and learning centers.

· Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently



Professionalism

· Adhere to the guidelines and policies as outlines in the CDC staff handbook.

· Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other faculty members, children and families. Must not involve parents/guardians in Center concerns.

· Demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development for this age group.

· Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies with parents/guardians, co-workers, and community.

· Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, and arranging and communicating leave requests in advance.

· Respect and adhere to staffing schedules that may be adjusted as program needs change and may include working in another classroom.

· Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices.

· Attend faculty meetings, training sessions, and other Center events.

· Respond to Center and organizational needs by attending regional training, contributing to a newsletter, serving on a task force, or substituting at another Center.

· Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature.

· Receive constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Give feedback in a respectful manner.

· Maintain EEC required professional development hours.



Teamwork

· Establish and maintain a relationship of cooperation and respect with co-workers.

· Assume a fair share of work. Look for ways to be helpful. Demonstrate initiative.

· Assume additional classroom and Center responsibilities as needed: kitchen, children's files, etc.

· Offer and share ideas and materials with co-workers.

· Participate actively in teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning.

· Communicate directly, work to resolve conflicts quickly, and avoid gossip.

· Exercise care in expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional conduct of co-workers. Statements are based on firsthand knowledge and relevant to the interests of children and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION

· Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Lead Teacher certification preferred. Infant/Toddler Certification required, preschool certification preferred.

· Three years of early childhood working experience.

· Meet federal as well as individual state requirements (i.e., TB test, physical, OSHA) and maintain credentials for the position (i.e., ongoing training).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Equipment Used: N/A

Physical Demands (if applicable):

· Follow state, federal, and Minuteman Career & Technical High School guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training.

· Ensure children's safety while performing the following job functions:

· Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds.

· Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds

· Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions.

· Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.

·Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.

· Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.

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