FT Staff: Lead Teacher Infant/Toddlers

About the role

The Lead Teacher for Infants and Toddlers is responsible for the day-to-day teaching, supervision, and management of the infant/toddler classroom and environment. They are also accountable for assuring the health, welfare and safety of all Center students, the maintenance of accurate records and compliance with University and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates commitment to the mission and goals of the University.
• Plays a key role in planning and implementing a model program for infants and toddlers.
• Plans and implements individualized daily routines and curriculum for infant and toddlers in the classroom.
• Develops and implements individualized goals for each child.
• Establishes appropriate limits for children and applies them in a positive manner.
• Encourages toddlers to develop by modeling a positive attitude towards a variety of ethnic, racial and social groups.
• Presents learning materials in an understandable and effective manner.
• Affirms the development in the domains of social, cognitive, language and physical development; including appropriate instructional technology.
• Assesses children based on the guidelines of Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Maintains an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child’s family, encouraging their involvement in all aspects of the program.
• Organizes the classroom according to appropriate developmental levels and the needs of the individual infant or toddler.
• Promotes the development of secure relationships with infants and toddlers.
• Provides warm, caring, nurturing positive and supportive responses to all children.
• Provides positive guidance and discipline to support the social and emotional development of each infant and toddler.
• Coordinates parent/family volunteers in the classroom.
• Assumes responsibility for establishing and managing a learning environment designed to produce positive cognitive, social and emotional outcomes for infants and toddlers.
• Checks mailbox/notes for materials requiring immediate attention.
• Notifies the Director in a timely manner that supplies will soon be needed for the Center.
• In the event of a threatening Center situation, contacts appropriate emergency responders.
• Informs Director of any problems students may be having.
• Provides meals and snacks to the children according to their age, development and needs.
• Participates in the identification and referral process of special needs children.
• Conducts developmental screenings of infants and toddlers in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Conducts at least two home visits and two parent conferences with each child’s family per year.
• Makes appropriate accommodations to ensure child outcomes are achieved with children with health issues such as: Asthma, Allergies, Seizures, Hearing/vision.
• Reports all students injuries, accidents, illness and discipline problems to the appropriate authority immediately or as soon as is reasonable possible, as outlined in the Center’s Staff Handbook.
• Uses the Center’s preferred method of sanitizing which includes spraying toys with bleach water solution on a daily basis and deep cleaning toys on a weekly basis.
• Satisfactorily completes required training on North Carolina child abuse and neglect laws and procedures and indicators of child abuse and neglect.
• Ensures that University policies concerning Center etiquette are adhered to, such as prohibiting eating, smoking, drinking, illegal drugs, and littering.
• Identifies Center safety hazards and initiates corrective action, including ensuring applicable Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sheets are locally posted for any and all chemical-containing substances accessible by students in the Center.
• Ensures the efficient allocation and economical utilization of University resources.
• Fulfills NAEYC accreditation and Division of Child Development Licensing requirements.
• Improves professional competence and performance by engaging in child care professional development and pursuing programs of self-development, such as: Participation in workshops and conferences, Courses taken at an accredited institution, Participation in the University’s professional development activities and systems training offerings, as applicable.
• Maintains up-to-date computer technology skills, to enable proficient assessment, recordkeeping, and effective communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Minimum of one year’s work experience in an infant center.
• Current certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Current North Carolina Driver’s License and clean driving record.
• Preferred Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from an accredited institution of higher learning or a related discipline.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written presentation skills.
• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team.
• Excellence in organization, decision-making, problem-solving and creating a collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English.
• Ability to sit or stand for up to 8 hours/day and climb stairs as required.
• Some lifting (up to 25 pounds occasionally), bending, and carrying.
• Specific vision abilities include the ability to use close vision.