Job: Child Development Teacher

Under general supervision, assumes responsibility for the education, health, and safety of young children 2 years 9 months to 5 years 11 months of age enrolled in the Child Development Center programs; plans and implements developmentally appropriate programs for assigned children that promote learning of language, communication, emergent literacy, social, cognitive , play and creative skills.

1. Plans, prepares, and implements curriculum according to specific age and development of each individual child; prepares weekly lesson plan that outlines themes, learning activities, goals, and objectives.
2. Modifies elements of the program to meet the needs of individual children with concerns for their interests, special talents, and individual style and pace of learning.
3. Supervises planned activities in a classroom and outdoor setting; works with groups of children in a variety of activities in a warm and positive manner while maintaining order and discipline.
4. Supervises family style meals including breakfast, lunch, and snack.
5. Provides a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for children to sleep.
6. Arranges classroom environments to enhance interest in learning according to the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS).
7. Maintains a clean, healthy, safe, and orderly indoor and outdoor environment by following Center policies and procedures for health and safety related issues; does laundry; performs general housekeeping duties as required.
8. Assists with the general hygiene of the children including toilet training, diaper changing, and other activities requiring contact with bodily fluids.
9. Prepares children to attend and perform at special events including graduation ceremony and winter break ceremony.
10. Provides lead supervision and training to laboratory students, student workers, CalWorks workers, short-term employees, parents, and volunteers assigned to the Center; provides training to college students with Child Development majors.
11. Observes and documents each individual child's growth and development on a continuous basis; documents each child's growth and development through pictures, anecdotal notes, and sample work; implements state required Desired Result Development Profile (DRDP) Assessment for each child.
12. Maintains appropriate records and completes assigned paperwork and reports in an accurate and timely manner; maintains complete attendance reports; monitors and oversees student workers time sheets; oversees and records parent hours for assigned classes.
13. Communicates with parents and staff to develop positive, reciprocal relationships; conducts formal parent/teacher conferences to discuss assessments; conducts other conferences as needed.
14. Identifies and refers children with special needs to parents and the Child Development Center Director; mainstreams children with special needs into other classrooms.
15. Provides opportunities for other departments to observe and interview within the classroom setting.
16. Attends and participates in professional group meetings, conferences, and workshops; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of early childhood education; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
17. Prepares and compiles requests for instructional supplies; identifies vendors; receives instructional supplies from various vendors; inventories supplies; distributes supplies; stores additional items for future use.
18. Participates in staff meetings; plans and conducts assigned staff meetings.
19. Performs related duties as required.

Education/Training:
An Associate's degree or the equivalent with major course work in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field.

Experience:
Two years experience working in a licensed child development program as a teacher of infants or preschoolers.

License or Certificate:
Possession of a Child Development Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Possession of a current pediatric C.P.R. Certificate and First Aid Certificate.
Possession of a Mandated Child Abuse Reporter Certificate.


Knowledge of : Operations, services, and activities of a full service child development center; current concepts in early childhood education; principles and applications of child development theory; principles and practices of curriculum planning; age appropriate and emergent curriculum; socialization techniques; methods and techniques of instructional and recreational program development; basic child psychology and development; health and safety requirements of children; appropriate safety precautions and procedures; methods of observing, evaluating and recording child behavior; appropriate activities for children of various age and skill level to develop each child socially, emotionally, intellectually, creatively, and physically to his/her fullest potential.

Ability to: Develop and maintain effective relationships with preschool children, students and parents; understand, apply and explain policies, procedures, rules and regulations; lift equipment and children weighing up to 50 pounds; work confidentially with discretion; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain records and prepare reports.