Head Teacher, Child Care

Position supervises Assistant Teachers, Student Assistants, and field placement students in age group. Collaborates with faculty and students to develop and implement appropriate training and research opportunities. Aids Assistant Teachers in the development of professional development plans. Mentors Assistant Teachers in the development of curriculum; communication with parents; writing parent reports, and in their interactions with children.

Position observes, documents, and assesses children's behaviors in order to make decisions regarding individual children's needs in all domains of learning, and to integrate opportunities for all children into daily activities. Position works with the center director to develop and support classroom programming. Position assists in maintaining routine center operations in the director's absence. Participate in required training hours, maintain MAT certification, daily communications with parents, coordinate bi-annual parent conferences, and facilitate meetings with families when there are developmental concerns, write newsletters and parent reports.

Financial accountability for maintaining a classroom budget.

Education and Experience

* Combination of both years of experience working with children ages birth to 5 years and education is preferred.

* Minimum qualifications include Child Development Associate Credential; a four-year degree in Early Childhood Education; a two-year degree in Early Childhood Education and classroom experience; or 9 college credits in Early Childhood development;
Human Development and Family Science; or a related field + two years of experience in a childcare setting.

Skills and Knowledge

* Strong knowledge of early childhood education and teaching in age group.

* Fluent in Microsoft Office-Outlook, Word, Excel.

* Candidate will need to have all NYS required clearances (State Central Register clearance, Fingerprint clearance, and Staff Exclusion List clearance) prior to start.

Responsibilities

TEACH, OBSERVE, FOLLOW REGULATIONS:

* Supervise, care for, and teach children in assigned classroom.

* Provide First Aid/CPR as needed. As a MAT certified teacher, administer medication to children as needed.

* Observe and supervise classroom teaching staff, student employees/placement students, and children.

* Maintain professionalism and problem solve with teaching team and full staff when issues arise.

* Assure compliance with Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) and Syracuse University rules and regulations.

PREPARE & PLAN:

* Curriculum planning, documentation, manage classroom budget spending, supervision/professional development meetings with Assistant Teachers and supervision meetings with practicum students.

* Write classroom newsletters, fill out daily health checks, injury/illness/incident forms and other required OCFS forms.

* Read program information and updates including changes to NYS regulations, newsletters and emails from the director, University staff and parents.

COMMUNICATE:

* Daily communication with parents, write bi-annual parent reports for children in home group, host parent/teacher conferences, refer children for additional services as needed.

LEAD & INITIATE:

* Attends monthly full staff meetings and biweekly team meetings, head teacher and individual supervision meetings with the director.

* Attends center events, professional development trainings.

* Works with the director and faculty on projects and collaboration planning.

* Stays current on best practices in early childhood education.

* Seeks out development opportunities based on team/peer interest.

ORGANIZE & ADAPT:

* Arrange/rearrange classroom to create a workable space supporting children's learning; change out equipment and materials to inspire use of varying pieces and to keep the room fresh and inviting.

* Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

* Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., move quickly, get up and down from the floor frequently, push, pull, lift and twist.

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.