Primary Purpose:

The child care provider’s primary function is to provide a safe, healthy, stimulating learning environment where each child can grow and learn in a warm, accepting place. In addition to being concerned about the child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social self, the teacher will establish a relationship with the child’s parent(s) that will lead to a mutual sharing of support and concern for the child.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

High school diploma or equivalent

Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Competency in working with children

Ability to assume all classroom responsibilities

Ability to nurture children and plan and implement age-appropriate activities for them

Ability to take initiative

Ability to interact with parents in a professional manner

Ability to take direction and work cooperatively with other teachers

Ability to supervise a group of children while attending to the immediate needs of one child

Experience:

Six months’ experience working with young children; two years’ experience, preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Professional

1. Keep all knowledge of the staff, children and their families confidential.
2. Be prompt and consistent in attendance.
3. Follow guidelines for requesting time off.
4. Assist with classroom records as needed.
5. Dress in a neat, professional manner (adhering to the appropriate dress code policy) that will allow for the freedom to interact with the children as needed.
6. Reflect the philosophy of the school to parents, new staff, and the community.
7. Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to work as a team while developing skills and helping out as needed.
8. Participate in staff meetings, parent events, trainings and continuing education programs, documenting at least 24 hours of training per year.
9. Comply with the minimum standards to ensure that all children are provided a healthy and safe environment, given the opportunity to develop stable and caring relationships, and are provided an environment that fosters cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
10. Know and follow the Minimum Standards set by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
11. Know and follow the policies in the Hays Early Learning Centers (ELC) and the District Parent Policy Handbook.
12. Abide by Hays CISD personnel policies.

Health and Safety 

1. Know the number of children, supervising the children in attendance at all times while maintaining child/staff ratios.
2. Perform a health check upon child’s arrival to enforce health policy.
3. Report and document illnesses and accidents on the appropriate forms and maintain copies for records.
4. Report all cases of suspected child abuse.
5. Keep room and play areas safe for the children and staff. Report needed equipment repairs immediately to the director.
6. Follow necessary sanitation procedures in diapering areas, bathrooms, toys in the classroom, and at mealtimes.
7. Establish a relaxed mealtime atmosphere. Model good eating attitudes. Sit with children while eating. Hold infants while being fed and use this time for socialization and interaction.

Guidance Techniques 

1. Greet and welcome each child every day.
2. Encourage children to gain independence and self-confidence by making choices in the classroom environment. Make sure to have a predictable routine, while using clearly defined age appropriate limits.
3. Talk to the children on their level (use a low chair or bend down to be on their level), using a low, calm voice, and using positive statements.
4. Recognize children’s feelings. Re-direct unacceptable behavior while showing respect for each child. Reward positive behavior and follow through on correcting behaviors and help children learn to express their feelings and respect others.
5. Follow the Discipline and Guidance policies set by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Curriculum 

1. Plan and follow through on all activities which will enhance all areas of development (social/emotional, cognitive, large and small motor skills, language) and select activities that are appropriate to the developmental level of the children in the group.
2. Interact with children to develop and maintain a relationship which meets the child’s physical and emotional needs and enhances his/her social and intellectual development.
3. Be involved with transitions activities for children.
4. Establish centers in the classroom.
5. Give the director a copy of the lesson plans and post a copy for the parents.

Room Responsibilities 

1. Return supplies and equipment in good order and to their correct location.
2. Follow your classroom cleaning schedule for maintaining storage areas, playgrounds, classrooms, and bathrooms.
3. Wash toys daily in infant and young toddler rooms, and as needed in older classrooms.
4. Change equipment and centers daily/weekly to provide a variety for the children and to allow for rotation of equipment among classrooms.
5. Decorate the room in a non-cluttered, colorful manner.
6. Keep teacher’s supplies and cleaning materials out of children’s reach.

Working with Parents 

1. Have a positive, respectful attitude towards parents.
2. Approach communication, both on a formal and informal basis, with families and the community in a professional manner to help develop trusting relationships, with the intent to preserve those relationships.

Other 

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:      

None

Equipment Used:

      Personal computer, telephone, printer, copier, fax machine, children’s equipment and toys.

Working Conditions:

      Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Must be able to work and sit on the floor, in child size chairs and with child size equipment. Must be able to properly lift items and carry children up to at least 35 pounds. Must be able to walk, kneel, sit, stand and squat at a child’s level. Must be able to see, hear and speak with children. Must be able to move quickly to protect children.

EEOC Statement:

Hays Consolidated I.S.D. will not discriminate against any person in employment or exclude any person from participating in or receiving benefits of any of its activities or programs on any basis prohibited on the bases of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs. 

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Positions are extended annually based upon availability of funding.