Substitute Preschool Teacher

Job Summary

The Substitute Preschool Teacher at Occidental College Child Development Center is responsible for collaborating with Lead Preschool Teachers and other teachers to facilitate daily classroom operations and supervision of children aged 2-5 years old. This on-call position involves stepping in to cover teaching roles when teachers are absent. The Substitute Preschool Teacher must have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team of early childhood educators. Flexibility is required, because Substitutes are required to serve in various classrooms and support various ages, based on Center needs. The Substitute Preschool Teachers should contribute to fostering a safe, respectful, and community-oriented classroom environment and have the ability to form nurturing relationships with children and communicate effectively with parents, as needed.

Job Duties

• 40% - Child Supervision and Care:

  • Provide constant supervision of children and attend to their physical and emotional needs; ensure children’s safety and well-being.

• 35% - Assist in General Classroom and Center-wide Duties:

  • Share responsibility for completing general classroom and Center-wide duties, including keeping Center clean and safe.
  • Contribute to the smooth operation of the Center and assist teachers and children in all groups, as needed.
  • Respond receptively to direction from Lead Preschool Teachers, other teachers, and Director.
  • Assume Lead Preschool Teacher duties, as needed.
  • Complete routine paperwork and administer medications, as needed.

• 10% - Relationships and Communication:

  • Provide nurturing and responsive care to children, establish open and respectful communication with parents, and contribute to a positive, community-oriented classroom environment.

• 15% - Assist with Curriculum Implementation:

  • Work with Lead Preschool Teachers and other teachers to implement a developmentally-appropriate, play-based curriculum.
  • Assist with set-up, implementation, and clean-up of daily activities for the children.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 semester units in Child Development - which must include the 3 core courses of: a basic Child Growth and Development course, a course on Child, Family and Community, and a course on planning Curriculum for young children.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working in a play-based early childhood education setting.
• Understanding of basic Child Development theories and current best practices in Early Childhood Education.
• Familiarity with developmentally-appropriate, play-based, emergent curriculum models.
• Strong understanding of the specific educational philosophy of the Child Development Center.
• Familiarity with Title 22 Regulations.
• Understanding of procedures for completing accident/incident reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• 18 or more units in Child Development - which must include the 3 core courses of: a basic Child Growth and Development course, a course on Child, Family and Community, and a course on planning Curriculum for young children.
• 2 or more years of experience working in a play-based early childhood education setting.
• Experience working in a program that utilizes an emergent curriculum.