Early Childhood Educator

Governors State University is seeking to hire an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in the Family Development Center to be responsible for the school-age group of children all year, which includes the Before and After Care Program, in addition to School Age Summer Camp. When school-age children are in school from August to May, this ECE is expected to help in other classrooms as part of their essential responsibilities.

80%

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) implements an age appropriate, success oriented, and developmentally appropriate curriculum meeting all DCFS requirements. Work with co-ECEs to design an environment and activities to meet the needs of individual children while remaining responsive and aware of group needs.
• Follow and maintain daily routines and schedule for all individual children in the class. Maintain classroom management by engaging the children in dally activities. Create a warm and accepting environment for children, families, students, volunteers, and community members.
• Follow all DCFS standards as well as those in accordance with SACERS. Complete necessary paperwork when needed.
• Ensure the safety of the children in assigned group, inspecting indoor and outdoor toys and equipment daily. Assur[e?] that all children are always supervised by sight and sound.
• Maintain awareness of allergies and medical conditions. Administer medication as trained.
• Always maintain ratios, even if that means being asked to cover in another classroom to maintain ratios during naptime, at the end of the day, or the beginning of the day.
• Eat with children during mealtimes and encourage sound nutritional practices. Use and teach children the Family Style Meal Service.
• Must always maintain ratios, including assisting in other classrooms while teachers are having supervision or planning time.
• Assist with all classroom procedures, including washing hands and doing laundry, cleaning duties, including furniture and equipment, and all other health and safety standards.
• Float between classrooms as needed within the Family Development Center to best ensure quality of care.
• Report on any health needs of assigned children to the Health Service Director.
• Keep accurate attendance and meal count records using the Child Plus system.
• Under the direction of the supervising Center Director, workers help develop and implement curriculum to meet the physical, emotional, and creative needs of specific groups of school-age children in an environment where children feel safe, valued, and respected.
• Plans specific educational and developmental activities focused on STEM and a schedule of activities within the program outline, appropriate to the age level of the assigned children.
• Assists children with completion of homework assignments.
• During the summer months (June-August) and summer camp is in session, the ECE will also be asked to engage in field trips and swimming on a weekly basis (when applicable).
• Abide by program philosophies on parent involvement and parent participation.
• Document all important communication with families.
• Assist in completing all required documentation and reports and submitting in a timely manner.
• Attend training and complete coursework as required.
• Observe functioning for small groups of individual children and keep appropriate individual records, attendance records, meal counts, and child assessments as designed.
• Select, maintain, and inventory educational supplies and control utilization of equipment and materials within the classroom.
• Maintaining relations with, supports, and encourages parents to achieve a strengthening of the total family/agency relationship.

20%

• Comply with regulatory health requirements, a pre-employment physical and lift test; proof of MMR and DTAP immunization and initial TB test, and annual physical exam.
• Attend all meetings and training as required.
• Adhere to all plans, policies, and procedures of Governors State University, Family Development Center, DCFS, NAEYC, Early Head Start, and ISBE.
• Proactive Leader - works well without close supervision and demonstrates initiative.
• Assist with questions and problems courteously and promptly.

Hourly wage range: $15.53 to $17.86. This is a negotiated position.

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit:

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