Head Teacher

Purpose:

To be responsible for the general supervision (of children and classroom staff) and management of one classroom by performing the duties necessary to provide a safe, nurturing, stimulating and educational environment for children. This includes allowing the children to grow at their own pace and gain in social, physical, emotional and cognitive development.

Reports To: Director, Assistant Director or other designated Administrator

Supervises: Assistant Teachers

Works as a Team with: Head Teacher in adjoining or designated classroom(s)

• Jointly develops lesson plans and classroom activities with Head Teacher
• Manages classroom in cooperation and conjunction with Head Teacher

Requirements:

• Able to observe, see, hear and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, other Center areas, or on field trips
• Able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist high table 25 - 30 times daily
• Able to reach a child 20 - 30 feet away within 30 seconds
• Able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time on a regular basis
• Good health as confirmed by a physician's statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis
• New York State Registry clearance
• Criminal History Fingerprint clearance

Responsibilities:

•  Adhering to all policies and procedures of First Learning Child Care and the child care licensing regulations of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
•  The care, safety and well-being of all children in the classroom, including attending to children's personal needs, e.g., diapering, toileting, feeding, washing, clothing, comforting, preparing for rest
•  Planning and implementing an age-appropriate, open-ended program which coincides with the philosophy of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
•  Preparing an inviting, clean and organized classroom environment with learning centers and hands-on activities which coincides with the philosophy of NAEYC
•  Delegating program responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence
•  Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner which follows the guidelines of NAEYC
•  Orienting and actively supervising children by overseeing both small and large groups of children
•  Developing parent relationships and communicating directly with parents on a regular basis,including classroom orientation, daily child activity reports, and at least biannual progress reports
•  Maintaining classroom records and keeping necessary written documentation
•  Maintaining knowledge of classroom children's allergies, advising all staff and acting accordingly
•  Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing classroom procedures
•  Communicating effectively and directly with other staff
•  Providing timely supervisor reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
•  Supervising, training, coaching and developing staff assigned to the classroom
•  Measuring progress of children and staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate
•  Assisting supervisor and rendering staff support to all other classrooms and employees as necessary
•  Supervising and maintaining general housekeeping and repair of assigned areas and common space
•  Performing administrative duties as necessary for the classroom and Center operations
•  Maintaining current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY
•  Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

•  Knowledge of NYS child care regulations
•  Knowledge of and ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities which correspond with NAEYC guidelines
•  Effective and tactful oral and written communication skills
•  Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices
•  Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents
•  Ability to use constructive methods for maintaining group control and individual behaviors
•  Ability to use sound judgment and tact
•  Ability to work on a team as a team leader
•  Ability to organize and problem solve effectively
•  Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to the needs of the program)
•  Creativity and patience

Training and Experience:

Preschool Head Teacher

•  Associate’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or related field, OR
•  Child Development Associate (CDA) or 9 college credits in Early Childhood, Child Development or a related field AND two years experience related to caring for children

Infant / Toddler Head Teacher

•  In addition to the above, 1 year of specific training and/or experience in infant or toddler care OR
•  Infant / Toddler Child Care Credential

School-Age Head Teacher

•  Associate’s degree in Child Development, recreation, or related field OR
•  High School Diploma AND two years experience working with children under 13 years of age

AND

•  Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community.