Child Development Center Teacher

Basic Function

Under supervision, provide for the care, development, and instruction of preschool children and infants years in a child development program.

Representative Duties

• Plan and coordinate activities and instruction; develop and maintain a developmentally appropriate, safe environment in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Directs the activities of Associate Teachers and CDC Assistants, students, and volunteers assigned to the classroom.
• Supervise and directly interact with children in a warm and positive manner.
• Prepare age and developmentally appropriate lesson outlines and plans and other activities for science, math, music, art, language, social, emotional and physical development of the children; review plans prepared by Associate Teachers.
• Conduct demonstrations and learning activities for children.
• Serve as primary caregiver for an assigned group of children; perform initial and periodic state required evaluations; review similar work by Associate Teachers.
• Conduct conferences with parents to discuss child status, progress, and problems.
• Develop and implement conflict management and problem solving strategies with children.
• Follow center policies and procedures including those for health and safety.
• Provide information to employees, volunteers, students, and families on health, safety, and other policies.
• Oversee groups of children in various indoor and outdoor activities; set up and disassemble playground equipment; assure safe indoor and outdoor play.
• Supervise the use of the restrooms; change and launder wet or soiled clothes; change diapers; assist in toilet training.
• Prepare and serve nutritional snacks and lunches; prepare bottles, formulas, and infant meals; assist in preparing and revising basic menus; supervise snack and meal times.
• Administer basic First Aid as needed; teach and encourage good health and safety habits.
• Perform light housekeeping duties including washing dishes, clearing lunch tables, sweeping floors, and emptying waste receptacles; maintain the classroom in a safe, sanitary, and orderly condition.
• Operate a variety of classroom equipment and appliances including a copier, laminator, paper cutter, computer, vacuum cleaner, washer, dryer, and microwave; assure proper food storage; sterilize kitchen area; maintain food production worksheets.
• Identify special needs of children and/or families.
• Involve families in classroom and Center activities; invite and encourage family participation in children's activities.
• Develop and facilitate parent programs and events.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Oversee and evaluate laboratory students and the supervision of activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to: Associate's degree from an accredited college in early childhood education work or a related field and one year of experience working with children in an organized setting.

Possession of, or eligibility to obtain and maintain, a Child Development Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain satisfactory level of progress toward and successful completion of the professional development requirement for professional development.
• Completion of pediatric CPR and first aid training through an accredited or approved program.
• Possession of a current pediatric CPR and first aid certificate.
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment physical assessment.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Clear criminal record check including fingerprint.

Knowledge & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Early childhood education programs, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of current best practices for inclusive early childhood education settings.
• Instructional and tutorial techniques.
• Requirements of maintaining a children's center in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Health and safety regulations.
• Principles and practices of personal hygiene.
• Sanitation practices related to handling and serving food.
• Basic First Aid techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• Plan and direct the activities of a child development center indoor and outdoor environments.
• Oversee and direct the work of Associate Teachers, CDC Assistants, volunteers, students, and interns.
• Develop age and developmentally appropriate lesson plans and outlines.
• Effectively conduct activities for children.
• Monitor the behavior of young children and oversee activities.
• Maintain a children's center in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• Apply basic principles and practices of nutrition.
• Administer basic First Aid.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Prepare and serve food in accordance with health and safety regulations.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Observe health and safety regulations.