Child Care Lead School Age Teacher

OVERVIEW: The Lead After school Teacher is responsible for ensuring a developmentally appropriate childcare program and environment for children five years to twelve years of age. Occasional supervision of classrooms, and training and supervision of teacher assistants, is the responsibility of the lead teacher. Must be willing to work in other classrooms of different ages while school is in session. Person will be responsible for providing classroom activities, planning, teaching and guiding the children. Must be willing to attend local and out of town training when needed for professional development. Person must be nurturing, compassionate and caring.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Develop site-based goals, in collaboration with staff and parents.
• Develop weekly lesson plans with staff and children input.
• Develop lesson plans to enhance literacy, physical activity, arts & crafts, science, math and a variety of stimulating and educational activities with children.
• Collaborate with the Lower Elwha Culture Program and implement cultural language and activities into daily curriculum.
• Prepare individual learning plans including emotional, social, cognitive and language development with parent’s input.
• Provide guidance techniques to maintain appropriate behavior.
• Encourage development of children’s self-control by utilizing classroom management and modeling techniques.
• Plan, develop and maintain a safe, healthy, and attractive learning environment with appropriate activities for indoor and outdoor play, including large motor activities.
• Assist in serving CACFP (used to be USDA) approved meals and snacks to children. Knowledge of proper serving sizes for infants, toddlers, and preschool and school-age children. Sit with children at mealtimes and model healthy eating behaviors and good manners.
• Be familiar with special dietary needs (allergies) and medical issues (asthma, etc..) of children.
• Assist parents and children in transitioning to other programs, such as Head Start, other childcare, school.
• Be familiar with and help implement Washington State Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers, and Lower Elwha Parent Handbook and Health Policies.
• Write objective observations of children, notes to parents and keep accurate records for Center’s reporting responsibilities.
• Orient, train and support childcare assistants and volunteers.
• Promote positive parent and community involvement within the organization.
• Coordinate with the Child Care Director in developing and maintaining schedules, training plans, and planning to meet the needs of the children, families, staff and community.
• Administer medications and first aid in accordance with regulations and policies, and handle emergencies as they arise.
• Help plan and participate in food related learning activities in the classroom, promote the selection and enjoyment of a wide variety of nutritious food, modeling and making healthy choices. Work with Program Supervisor and Cook.
• Encourage children to do tasks for themselves, gaining self-help skills and independence; can assist when needed.
• Provide supervision and training for Childcare Assistants.
• Promote recycling and composting.
• Provide supervision during local and out-of-town field trips.
• Promote positive healthy eating habits and physical activity.
• Toileting duties, as needed.
• Must be able to multi-task.
• Other duties as assigned

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must have documented child development education or work experience, or complete required STARS training within six months of hire.
• Must have two (2) years’ experience in a multi-aged childcare facility.
• Supervisory experience.
• Must be able to write and implement curriculum for various developmental ages.
• Must be able to work independently, make decisions, and maintain program wide goals and priorities.
• Must pass a Washington State Patrol Criminal History Background Check prior to hiring and a DSHS Background check.
• First Aid, Adult/Child/Infant CPR, Food Handler’s card, within 30 days of hire.
• HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.
• Must meet STARS requirement and be listed in the STARS Training and Registry System, which includes 30 Basis STARS Hours and 10 continuing STARS hours annually.
• Negative TB skin test.
• Must have a working telephone.
• Maintain confidentiality of program information.
• Must have good personal hygiene and grooming.
• Valid driver license and good record.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required by the position:

• Knowledge of Early Childhood programs and child development
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to organize and coordinate workload and complete work assignments.
• Ability to maintain CONFIDENTIALITY when necessary
• Ability to comply with TRIBAL policies and procedures
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere to prescribed routines and practices
• Ability to meet and communicate orally and clearly with public.
• Ability to apply principals of leadership and management in daily practice.
• Ability to act quickly in emergency situations.
• Maintaining licensing with a culturally appropriate center, including adequately trained staff, appropriate coverage for the ages and needs of individual children being served, and management of scheduling for children and staff.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

• Must be able to comply with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Drug Free Workplace.
• Must have UA testing prior to employment.
• Must be sensitive to staff, children, and families with allergies in a perfume free environment.
• Must be able and willing to participate in staff training, meetings, and workshops in area and out of area.
• Must assist in preparing, serving, and cleaning up after meals and snacks.
• Must be a team player.
• Must assist in hand washing, face washing, wiping noses, diapering, toileting and potty-training duties, changing clothes as needed.
• Continuous upgrading of leadership abilities and professional expertise.
• Must be able to follow directions and guidelines.
• Must maintain a positive attitude.
• Must keep classroom and classroom supplies clean and sanitary, following the Minimum Licensing Requirements and LECC Parent Handbook and Health Policies.
• Must know and use safe work practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to sustain prolonged standing and walking.
• Able to bend, stoop and stretch.
• Able to lift and carry 50+ pounds or more.
• Ability to reach overhead.
• Must be able to work in a wide range of positions 8 hours per day, including but not limited to squatting, sitting, in very little chairs, getting up off the floor/ground, bending, stooping, standing, walking, running, jumping, chasing, crawling, rocking, holding child, sitting and standing, and generally being able to maintain eye contact with children being served;
• Participate in physical activities with children, including but not limited to running, jumping, chasing, crawling, balancing, throwing balls, climbing, etc...;
• Ability to clean, sanitize and maintain work area and equipment.
• ability to focus and be alert to task

As with all position of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe this position is Indian Preference in hiring accordance with P.L. 93-638.