Lead Teacher – older toddlers/twos or infants

Full Time

Website Dartmouth College Child Care Center

Employer sponsored program of Dartmouth College

Curriculum and Teaching Directs well-rounded classroom curriculum planning and child assessment. Develops a comprehensive curriculum promoting a program which focuses on the physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth of children. Plans curriculum based on the needs, interests, and individual development of children. Articulates program goals and selects activities which lead to achieving those goals. Interacts with children during activities to support learning and provides materials and ideas to extend play. Observes, assesses, and records children’s skills and maintains records on children’s progress. Arranges special events including field trips and visitors. Classroom Management Oversees the creation and maintenance of an attractive and well-organized classroom, assuring arrangements are functional for children’s use and encourages creativity and exploration. Supervises the classroom, assists with transitions from home to school, maintains awareness of the whereabouts of each child, establishes behavior guidelines, and follows through with appropriate expectations for children’s behavior. Converses with children, appreciating their individuality. Enables children to resolve their own conflicts. Assists children in managing their feelings positively. Verifies individuals other than parents/guardians are authorized to pick up children. Ensures that children are signed in and out. Nutrition Coordinates meal and snack preparation, ensuring children have adequate nutritious food. Models good eating habits and manners, and promotes a relaxing mealtime environment. Health and Safety Ensures the safety and well-being of children at all times, implements the health policies of the Center, including good hygiene including hand washing, toileting, and diapering procedures. Reports accidents and injuries to parents and to the Director, and administers first aid as needed. Ensures children are dressed appropriately for health and safety. Dispenses and stores medications in accordance with Center policies. Center-wide Responsibilities Collaborates with other classrooms on activities and events. Assists in maintaining shared spaces. Participates in standing and ad-hoc center committees. Pursues on-going professional development. Participates in children’s IEP, IFSP and other meetings. Provides assistance to other classrooms as necessary. Participates in the maintenance of equipment and supplies and informs the Director of needs. Works with other staff members on center development and on resolution of center issues. Supervision Supervises Teachers, Assistant Teachers, other staff and volunteers. Mentors new employees. Gives work assignments and provides guidance to staff. Evaluates employee job performance and completes annual performance reviews. Conducts regular team meetings. Family Relationships Communicates with families to share information about daily activities. Provides suggestions in response to families’ requests or concerns. Maintains confidentiality of information about children and families. Oversees and conducts regular family conferences, and schedules additional conferences as needed. Communicates through bulletin boards, newsletters, and written notes and other means. Posts lesson plans for families. Arranges events and activities for children and families. Performs other duties assigned.Skills & Knowledge ·     Effective communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in relation to young children and their families. ·     Understanding of children’s developmental needs and how they may be appropriately met. ·     Warm, friendly demeanor. ·     Dependable with ability to work a flexible work schedule. ·     Ability to plan and implement an early care and education program. ·     Ability to supervise others. ·     Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community. ·     Must be in good physical and mental health and must have the physical capability to move quickly to supervise children, lift, carry and physically assist children, sit on the floor and child-sized furniture, see and hear at a distance and close range. Minimum Experience ·     Three plus years of experience in early childhood settings. ·     Experience supervising others. ·     Completion of required training including training in universal precautions, water safety training and fire safety. ·     Maintains pediatric First Aid/CPR training certification. Maintains NH Early Childhood Credential. Education ·       High school graduate. ·       18 college credits in Early Childhood Education, including 3 college credits in Child Growth and Development. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.

Lead Teachers are responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing a curriculum to meet the care, developmental and educational needs for children within the Center; guiding children’s behavior; communicating with parents; and recording children’s developmental progress. Lead teachers work with all Center staff to create a warm, caring and safe environment for the care of young children. Lead teachers supervise a teaching team consisting of a teacher, an assistant teacher, student/temporary child care staff and may supervise other employees.