Prn Early Childhood Teacher

Position Summary:

Provides a safe and nurturing environment for children to encourage their social emotional physical and intellectual development through designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Children and Family services Creative Curriculum and ExceleRate Illinois. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety Courtesy Quality and Efficiency that support our mission vision and values.

Age Requirement:

The IL Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) requires teachers to be a minimum of 19 years of age.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) required.
• Associates degree in Early Childhood or Child Development is strongly desired. Bachelors degree in Early Childhood or related field is strongly preferred.
• In lieu of an Associates degree DCFS requires one of the following: 60 semester hours of college credits with 6 hours directly being related to child care or child development (birth to age 6) or 1 year experience in child development in a nursery school child care or kindergarten program with 30 semester hours in college with 6 semester hours directly being related to child care or child development (birth to age 6) or completion of credentialing program approved by DCFS (CDA).

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry member within the first 5 days of employment
• Provide 3 letters of reference per DCFS requirements
• Hold or be able to obtain within 90 days First Aid/CPR certification

Experience:

• DCFS requires a minimum of one (1) year of experience in child care early childhood or child development.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Maintain 20 hours of in-service hours each fiscal year 5 hours must be from a Gateway Registry-approved training.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills initiative in a friendly courteous and professional manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of development.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices.
• Understands the general areas of physical social cognitive and emotional development for this age group.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

Interacts frequently affectionately and respectfully by smiling touching and holding children. Speaks in a friendly calm soft and courteous manner within close proximity of the child.

Respects and observes childrens interests. Intervenes when needed to maintain safety. Enhances childrens play with language toys and activities. Encourages and models the appropriate behaviors and expectations.

Communicates directly with each child at the childs level. Engages and communicates constructively with children during activities and routines. Positively extends childrens thinking and actions.

Maintains availability and responsiveness to childrens needs questions and requests. Acknowledges feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.

Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety Courtesy Quality and Efficiency that support our mission vision and values:

SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do. I take action to ensure the safety of others.

COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect. I project a professional image and positive attitude.

QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge skills and performance. I work with others to achieve superior results.

EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely. I prevent defects and delays.

Practices positive discipline techniques in guiding childrens behavior according to MMCs guidelines.

Maintains attentiveness flexibility and support with children and others during transitions among classrooms.

Curriculum:

Implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum based upon the guidelines set forth in the Creative Curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children. Plans a daily schedule which balances activities using the Creative Curriculum lesson plan.

Designs an environment which responds to childrens individual development physical and emotional needs and interests through the use of Creative Curriculum. Fosters positive self-concepts by supporting individuality independence and choices. Encourages creative expression. Respects diversity by providing anti-bias non-sexist language images and experiences which reflect both center and global communities.

Creates documentation of childrens accomplishments through anecdotal notes observations and portfolios.

Faculty/Parent Interactions:

Acknowledges parents and all classroom visitors. Invites input from parents regarding their childs development and care. Responds to parents comments and concerns with sensitivity interest and respect.

Maintains confidentiality. Establishes and maintains a Primary Care giving relationship with individual children and their families. Assists in the planning and attend center/classroom events and meetings.

Communicates verbally and in writing with parents regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care. Shares resources with parents through discussions articles parent boards etc.

Physical environment health safety and nutrition:

Maintains and follow all safety and health rules of the center. Supervise children at all times. Demonstrates awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals. Encourages children to utilize appropriate health safety and nutritional practices.

Knows the number of children in assigned group and maintains ratios at all times. Maintains accurate attendance records throughout the day. Completes appropriate paperwork (i.e. accidents medication etc.).

Keeps environment and equipment safe clean and attractive. Encourages respect for classroom materials. Alerts others supplies are needed. Organizes materials on low open shelves for children to use independently.