Preschool Teacher Assistant at Mount Washington Preschoo

JOB TITLE: Infant / Toddler / Preschool Teacher

EMPLOYER: Mount Washington Preschool and Child Care Center, Inc.

DEPARTMENT: Harry Pregerson Child Care Center, Joy Picus Child Development Center, Tiny DOTs Early Education Center

REPORTS TO: Site Supervisor, Assistant Site Supervisor

EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/11/2024

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for working to provide the children with an enriched and stimulating environment that is well arranged, inviting and orderly.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with co-teachers in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Assumes responsibility of the classroom for children 0 to 30 months.
• Assists with the caring and nurturing practicing responsive caregiving.
• Supports the Supervisor in maintaining a high-quality program that adheres to state licensing codes and NAEYC standards.
• Maintains a healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment.
• Documents childrens developmental growth with developmental portfolio which includes assessments, observations, and reports.
• Performs periodic parent conferences to discuss childrens developmental growth, needs and concerns.
• Models positive behavior, attitude, appropriate caregiving and language for children and employees.
• Attends all classroom and center meetings, as well as training workshops.
• Changes diapers and clothing as needed.
• Assists with other duties as needed by the Supervisor.
• Performs daily classroom operations including setting up activities, transitions, and clean-up.
• Administers first aid to ill or injured children when necessary. If a true emergency occurs, call 911, and do the appropriate CPR and/or First Aid until the paramedics arrive.
• Models positive behavior, attitude, and language for children.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Working toward an AA, BA or MA in Early Childhood Development, Human Development or related field.

1. 24 units in child development and 3 Infant/Toddler units.

• Certificates, licenses and registrations required:
  1. CPR Infant & Child Certification.
  2. First Aid Certification.
  3. Must have current immunization shots: including MMR, Tdap, TB test, Influenza Shot or waiver.
  4. Must be up to date on all required training set forth by the Community Care Licensing division of the Department of Social Services.
• Computer skills required: Internet Software; Word Processing Software (Word).
• Other skills required:
  1. Strong knowledge of child development theory and experience with current developmentally appropriate play-based child early childhood practices.
  2. 1-year experience working with children or 6 months working in an infant room.
  3. Experience in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate emergent curriculum for young children.
  4. Experience in documenting childrens developmental growth with developmental portfolio which includes assessments, observations and reports.
  5. Knowledge of Community Care Licensing Title 22 and NAEYC criteria and regulations.
  6. Ability to read, write, and speak English in order to be understood by young children, parents, employees, and professionals affiliated with MWPCCC.
  7. Must be able to follow the hand-washing and diapering procedures set by MWPCCC.
  8. Demonstrate the interpersonal skills to interact effectively with employees in a positive, effective, and professional manner.
  9. Ability to solve conflicts among children, parents, and employees in an effective and professional manner.
  10. Must understand and have the ability to implement a responsive and attachment approach when working with infants and toddlers.
  11. Ability to understand and follow Center Director instructions at all times.

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand.
• Frequently required to walk.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl.
• Continually required to talk or hear.
• Continually required to taste or smell.
• Frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials.
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Additional remarks regarding work environment:
  • Sitting on small furniture and the floor.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.