Lead Teacher

Overview

Bright Stars helps families in Rhode Island access QUALITY child care, early learning, and school-age programs. We help child care providers learn about best practices in early learning and apply them to the care children receive. We recognize program quality and give parents information to make choices about their children’s care and education.

Program Address:
421 Hope St
Providence
RI
02906

The position provides leadership and supervision of a Child Care Program (e.g., Pre-School and Kindergarten). Develop and teach a high quality, well-rounded, age-appropriate curriculum; while providing care, guidance and developmental experiences in accordance with YMCA guidelines and State Licensing requirements.

Responsibilities include (other duties may be assigned):

• Develop and teach a well-rounded curriculum in accordance with YMCA guidelines and State Licensing requirements with the assistance of other staff members.
• Supervise and evaluate staff regularly; review staff effectiveness and individual performance and recommend annual wage increases to the Child Care Director.
• Work directly with the Child Care Director in the implementation of the program and its policies.
• Make appropriate referrals of suspected instances of child abuse or need for special education.
• Gear the program to the needs of individual children with concerns for their interest, handicaps, special talent, diversity and pace of learning.
• Keep abreast of trends and needs in child care and plan for ways to meet those needs.
• Treat children with dignity and respect; help children become aware of their roles as integral members of a group.
• Provide supervision and demonstrate the ability to set and maintain limits for children using positive reinforcement.
• Conduct parent/teacher conferences on children’s school adjustment and classroom behavior.
• Develop a plan for parental involvement in the program.
• Responsible for maintenance of equipment, supplies and snack inventory; report needs to the Child Care Director.
• Be responsible for the ordered arrangement, appearance, decor and learning environment of the classroom.
• Responsible for maintaining the necessary records involving attendance and sign-in/sign-out sheets.
• When releasing child(ren), ensure proper release procedures are followed and appropriate identification is shown.
• Maintain good public relations with parents; represent the YMCA and maintain a positive disposition, demeanor and attire.
• Attempt to answer parent concerns or make appropriate referrals to your supervisor.
• Work in harmony and cooperation with the staff, volunteers and members of the YMCA.
• Ensure health and safety of all children; address unsafe practices and conditions and perform rescue/first aid when necessary. Report accidents and injuries and complete incident reports.
• Attend staff meetings/events.
• Demonstrate and teach the character development values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Participate in recommended training programs, conferences, courses and other aspects of professional growth.
• Supervisory responsibilities:
  
  Directly supervise 1-4 employees in the Child Care Department; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with YMCA Guidelines and State Licensing requirements.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or

Experience:

Rhode Island Certificate in Early Childhood Education; or Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development from an accredited or approved institution or higher education; and a minimum of three months supervised teaching experience; or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited or approved institution of higher education and have met the coursework and experience requirements defined in the Rhode Island Early Childhood certification standards.

• Certifications/Training:
  Within first two months of employment:
  Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification, Child Abuse Prevention; ongoing education in early childhood…