Lead Teacher/ECDS

Assume complete responsibility for the classroom, including supervision of all Classroom Technicians and patients served. Act as the Early Childhood Developmental Specialist (ECDS) for the classroom, ensuring all required documentation—such as the annual Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP)—is timely and accurate. May also serve as ECDS for other classrooms. Provide appropriate habilitation services in cognition, communication, social/emotional, motor, and adaptive skills, or reinforce skills learned in occupational, physical, and/or speech therapy.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Arkids Pediatric Day Centers’ Employee Handbook and Management and Medical Policies and Procedures Manuals.
• Familiar with requirements set forth by regulatory agencies including Arkansas Minimum Licensing, Division of Provider Services & Quality Assurance (DPSQA), and Arkansas Health Department.
• Maintain visual supervision of patients at all times and ensure appropriate adult-to-child ratios.
• Know how many children are in care at all times and speak in a pleasant, positive, and caring voice to patients, parents, and personnel.
• Represent the program positively to parents, guardians, visitors, colleagues, and the public.
• Actively engage with patients to promote gross and fine motor development during physical activity.
• Maintain familiarity with health and safety guidelines, including standard precautions and daily operating procedures.
• Ensure a positive emotional climate by showing respect to children and adults and willingness to help others.
• Immediately report any health and safety concerns to the Center Nurse or appropriate staff.
• Display concern for the rights of patients and families served by the Center.
• Ensure each patient’s Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) is implemented and assist with development of goals/objectives.
• Review lesson plans with Classroom Technicians in advance.
• Ensure Tally Sheets are completed as scheduled and checked for accuracy weekly, but at minimum monthly.
• Ensure classroom billing in Aspyre is completed and reviewed daily for accuracy and appropriate signatures.
• Provide guidance and supervision of classroom planning and activities.
• Ensure children are signed in/out of the classroom by appropriate staff or designated individuals on the pick-up list.
• Ensure patients receive 1 hour of outdoor play time per day (weather permitting).
• Ensure at least one walkie talkie is available when on the playground and complete a playground sweep before re-entering the building.
• Ensure a Lead adult and Caboose adult are present when transitioning more than 2 patients.
• Follow transition policies and procedures, including proper head counts and visually sweeping the area before exiting.
• Utilize Conscious Discipline techniques with patients.
• Maintain open communication with parents, guardians, families, visitors, personnel, and outside contacts.
• Attend and actively participate in job-related functions, parent meetings, and staff training sessions.
• Create a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary learning environment.
• Perform housekeeping and janitorial functions as needed.
• Assist other classrooms if needed and provide lunch breaks to various classrooms as assigned.
• Participate in parent/guardian meetings, staff training sessions, and other job-related events.
• Assist with unloading/loading vans and light housekeeping duties as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education or a bachelor's degree with at least one of the following:
  • Current Arkansas certification in Early Childhood or Early Childhood Special Education.
  • Current Child Development Associate’s certificate.
  • Current Birth to Pre-K credential.
  • Documented experience working with children with special needs and twelve (12) hours of completed college courses in early childhood, child development, special education, elementary education, or child and family studies.
• Clear Criminal Record Check, Arkansas Child & Adult Maltreatment Regulatory Checks, FBI Regulatory Check, including National Sex Offender Registry.
• Five (5) years of experience in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
• May be asked to complete New Director Orientation or related course.
• Pass a drug screen (upon hire, annually, and/or randomly).

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisors.
• Ability to work with children.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Ability to carry out instructions.
• Ability to clean efficiently and timely.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to bend, stoop, stand, walk, pull, and reach for several hours per day.
• Basic computer skills.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Paid Time Off.
• Life Insurance.
• 401K.