School Age Group Leader

Position Summary

The School Age Group Leader's first responsibility is teaching and providing the best possible environment for the children assigned to their classroom. In collaboration with the Site Coordinator, the School Age Group Leader is responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulations, Playful Minds policies and procedures, and for striving for continual improvement.

Reports To

Site Coordinator

Supervisory Responsibility

Group Assistant & Volunteers

Schedule

Part Time

Starting Salary Range

$16.00-$19.00/hour

Benefits

• Sick Leave
• First Aid, CPR and Background Check reimbursements
• Training Expense reimbursements

Education & Experience

CPR & First Aid Certification

• Option 1: Bachelor's Degree or Associate's Degree and 3 months of experience working with school-age children
• Option 2: High School diploma or GED and 6 months of experience working with school-age children, including 3 months of supervised experience at a school-age childcare program
• Option 3: 9 months of experience working with school-age children, including 3 months of supervised experience at a childcare program.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must enjoy working with children
• Knowledge of child development
• Classroom management skills
• Understanding of, and commitment to, best practices in education
• Strong active listening skills: ability to give full attention to what others are saying, take time to understand, ask questions as appropriate and respond at the appropriate time.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Documented completion of medical exam within 1 year of employment and statement from a physician that the applicant is physically capable of doing the job
• Must provide evidence of mandatory vaccinations, including MMR, or immunity to communicable diseases, including TB
• Background checks required

Key Responsibilities

All Staff Responsibilities

• Uphold the philosophy of Playful Minds and serve as a positive representative of the organization
• Establish and maintain high quality relationships with children and families
• Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with other Playful Minds staff
• At all times, speak to children with respect
• Maintain an appropriate and safe environment for children at all times
• Consistently implement all licensing requirements, including but not limited to maintaining supervision ratios at all times
• Maintain all required documentation and record keeping accurately and in a timely manner including, but not limited to, attendance records, Incident & Injury Reports, meal records and progress reports
• Consistently follow all Playful Minds' policies & procedures
• Consistently attend work according to your established schedule
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings
• All staff are Mandated Reporters
• Ensure the health and safety of all children

Health & Safety

• Maintain safety, organization and cleanliness of the classroom: includes washing, vacuuming and other light housekeeping tasks, keeping all dangerous materials out of children's reach and reporting any broken equipment
• Follow all dismissal procedures, including but not limited to, only dismissing children to approved pickup adults
• Report all health or safety related incidents, including but not limited to medical and behavioral issues, to the Site Coordinator
• Administer medication to children in accordance with licensing regulations and Playful Minds policies and procedures
• Assist with food program preparation, set up and clean up as assigned

Curriculum

• Establish a classroom environment which is content and sensory rich, intentional, organized, appealing, responsive to the needs and interests of the children and approved by the Site Coordinator
• Through careful, documented observations, get to know the individual children in your group, including their needs, skills and interests, and individualize your teaching and interactions accordingly
• Implement the recommendations of specialists for individual support, as approved by the Site Coordinator
• Support the growth of all developmental skills, meeting each child where they are developmentally
• Help children to properly utilize classroom materials
• Assist Site Coordinator with creating high-quality, developmentally appropriate, engaging lesson plans which are aligned with best practices, PMLC curriculum guidelines, state and federal licensing regulations, and tailored to the needs, skills and interests of the children in the group
• Share lesson plans with the Group Assistant and any volunteers, and provide implementation guidance
• Implement child guidance in accordance with PMLC policies and procedures, individualizing your responses based on the needs and abilities of each child
• Create a community of inclusion and respect among the children and adults in the classroom

Communications

• Conduct parent-teacher conferences as needed or assigned
• Assist Site Coordinator with updating classroom bulletin board at least monthly, according to schedule
• Notify the Site Coordinator or Program Director of any parent complaints
• Direct, mentor and collaborate with the Group Assistant and any volunteers

Other Duties as Assigned

Work Environment

Classroom, Outside play areas, Office

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift children (up to 75 lbs.), speak to children at eye level, sit on the floor, run and engage in active play

Ongoing Training & Certification Requirements

• Annual First Aid & CPR
• Maintain certification with MA EEC and/or CT OEC
• Annual professional development