Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Center Director and/or acting Site Supervisor, the Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing a safe environment for children to learn and thrive. The Preschool Teacher is responsible for working with a teaching team in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for up to 24 children, 2.9 to 6 years of age in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, State of California Title 5, Community Care Licensing and other associated federal, state and local regulations.
Responsibilities
- As a member of a teaching team, the Preschool Teacher will ensure the safety of children and provide developmental activities that are in keeping with the program’s curriculum and philosophy (Creative Curriculum, Anti-Bias Curriculum and Developmentally Appropriate Practices, PITC and CSEFEL) in alignment with the established Child Outcomes Framework.
- Respect each child’s individual development and the diversity of children, families and staff.
- Act in partnership in planning and conducting child development activities, supervising meal service, and in assisting children especially during transitions.
- Ensure children’s health and safety and provide constant monitoring and attentive supervision.
- Provide care and support to children which includes but is not limited to the following activities: individualized care, active supervision, meal service, managing challenging behaviors, toileting, diapering, nap coverage.
- Engage in active supervision and assist in maintaining a safe classroom and outdoor play area in compliance with federal, state and local health and safety regulations.
- Ensure children’s health and safety and provide constant monitoring and active supervision.
- Conduct Home Visits and Parent Teacher Conferences.
- Conduct and record monthly emergency and evacuation drills.
- Administer first aid and incidental medical service appropriate to training.
- Comply with responsibilities as a mandated reporter.
- Complete all required paperwork in a timely manner, including lesson plans, observations, initial screenings, ongoing assessments, referrals, individualized education plans, and individual school readiness goals.
- Create child portfolios by recording observations, collecting samples and entering supporting documents and case notes in established data systems such as but not limited to ChildPlus, DRDP-Tech, Learning Genie, etc.
- Contact parents when a child’s behavior is unsafe to self or others. Notify Site Supervisor of call and action steps implemented.
- Work with local agencies to coordinate appropriate services to children, including children with disabilities and special needs.
- Welcome parents and children to the site and work in partnership to support child transitions.
- Explain and clarify regulations, policies, procedures, and promote established goals and objectives.
- Promote the importance of consistent attendance and support parents in developing attendance goals and improvement plans.
- Share information regarding child outcomes and progress made in achieving developmental milestones and benchmarks with parent(s) during home visits and parent-teacher conferences.
- Actively engage parents in their child’s school readiness by sharing information about the child’s progress, answering questions and working with parents in resolving issues in a positive manner.
- Involve parents, as appropriate, in all aspects of developing, implementing and evaluating the classroom and child development activities.
- Assist parents and community volunteers in completing documentation of in-kind contributions.
- Conduct daily health checks to ensure that children are well and inspect classrooms, entryways and outdoor space to ensure the health and safety of children enrolled.
- Review Daily Roster and Meal Counts at point of service to ensure accuracy and documentation of the actual number of children in attendance throughout the day.
- Review Medication Authorizations, prescription medications prior to use and monthly to ensure compliance with program policies and adherence to authorized procedures, use and expiration.
- Review Meal Modifications and ensure compliance during meal service.
- Review child portfolios, screening, and assessments to ensure accurate record keeping, documentation, quality of service and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and other related requirements and/or regulations.
- Conduct and record monthly emergency and evacuation drills.
- Ensure implementation and assess the effectiveness of the Ongoing Monitoring System.
- Participate in the Annual Self-Assessment and Community Assessment.
- Support and promote the agency and program mission and philosophy within the agency, program and community, including following the agency and program lines of communication
- Comply with Community Care Licensing, Child Adult Care Food Program, State of California Department of Education regulations and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
- Explain and clarify regulations, policies, procedures, and promote established goals and objectives.
- Discuss concerns, answer questions, and work to resolve conflicts in a positive manner to the benefit of the children, parents, staff, program and agency.
- Actively participate in program-wide activities, meetings, events, training, and other professional growth and development opportunities
- Work with, contribute to, and serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team by encouraging and facilitating problem solving strategies; accepting supervision, and working closely with direct service staff, program management, agency administration, community partners, coaches and consultants to ensure high-quality services and implementation of best practices.
- Complete and submit time sheets, mileage reimbursement forms and requests for materials, equipment and supplies in a timely manner.
- Be flexible, organized and demonstrate strong time-management skills.
- Follow established confidentiality policies, procedures and mandated reporting protocols.
- Seek support as needed and accept guidance from coworkers, program management, program specialists, consultants and coaches.
- Support the professional development of other staff members by sharing expertise and knowledge of processes, procedures and practices that support quality, coordinated and responsive services for the children and families.
- Perform ad hoc duties and tasks as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- CDE Associate Teacher Permit with 3 infant/toddler units preferred
- AA/BA Degree in Early Childhood Development or related field preferred.
- Experience in early child care setting or social service setting required
- Computer literacy required - ChildPlus.Net and Learning Genie experience preferred
- Positive, professional and courteous work demeanor
- Ability to work independently, and as a part of a culturally diverse team
- Fluency in English language required
- Bilingual skills are desirable
Equal Opportunity Employment
Alameda Family Services does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, request for family or medical leave or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Pay: $25.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have 3 infant/toddler units? (Preferred)
Experience:
- Early child care setting or social service setting : 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- CDE Associate Teacher Permit (Preferred)
- AA/BA In Early Childhood Development (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
