Preschool/Infant Teacher

Position Overview: The Preschool /Infant Teacher at Growing Minds Children's Center plays a vital role in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 6 weeks - 5 years. This educator is dedicated to designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson plans that foster Children's growth and wellbeing while serving as a positive role model. Collaboration with parents/guardians is essential to ensure a holistic learning experience and active participation in the infant classroom and community. Key Responsibilities: Curriculum Development: Craft and implement a creative, age-appropriate curriculum that aligns with developmental milestones for children. Lead activities that promote sensory exploration, language development, motor skills, and early cognitive abilities. Utilize play-based learning strategies to support all areas of children's development. Classroom Management: Create and maintain an organized, welcoming, and safe learning environment for children. Manage daily routines and individual care schedules, ensuring each child's needs are met with attention and care. Promote an inclusive atmosphere that values diversity and encourages mutual respect. Individualized Instruction: Assess each child's developmental stage and interests to provide customized care and activities. Support and encourage infants as they explore their environment, offering tailored guidance to further their growth. Document observations and track developmental milestones to inform individual care plans. Strong knowledge and implementation of DRDP (Desired Results Developmental Profile) Assessment Communication and Collaboration: Regularly communicate with parents about their child's progress, activities, and any concerns. Coordinate clearly with fellow educators to streamline care routines, establish goals, meet deadlines, and share resources. Collect data and maintain records for each infant to support program implementation and assessment. Communicate clearly with fellow educators and supervisors and delegate tasks to maintain best practices and efficiency. Act as a role model for communication, literacy, and conflict resolution and help each child develop sense of awareness and self-esteem, and to accept and express their feelings. Parent Education and Involvement: Develop and implement strategies to increase parent engagement in classroom activities and educational initiatives. Organize workshops and informational sessions to educate parents on infant development and caregiving strategies. Facilitate opportunities for parents to participate in classroom activities and events. Health and Safety: Maintain a safe, hygienic learning environment by strictly adhering to health and safety policies. Monitor infants at all times to preemptively address any safety risks. Implement emergency procedures effectively when required. Professional Development: Stay updated on current trends and best practices in early childhood education and infant care. Seek out and participate in professional growth opportunities to refine caregiving and teaching skills. Regularly review and improve caregiving practices based on constructive feedback. Attend 21 hours of required, and authorized professional development training per calendar year. Working Conditions Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor facilities (e.g. childcare classroom and recreational playground sites); exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, and work on potentially slippery or uneven surfaces. Physical Demands: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Qualifications and Requirements: Teacher, Master Teacher or Site Supervisor Permit (Strongly Preferred) Strong knowledge of child development principles and early childhood education theories. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Patience, creativity, and a genuine passion for working with young children. Must be at least 18 years of age. Bachelor's degree (BA) preferred in Child Development or Early Child Development with Infant Units Preferred. Three semester units in the care and development of infants are required for those who work with infants and toddlers. Knowledge of Title XXII, Title V, Head Start, Creative Curriculum, Desired Results System, Teaching Pyramid, Program for Infant Toddler Care (if applicable), Best Practices, and Leadership/Management. Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred Note: This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required. Responsibilities and duties may change over time as the needs of the program evolve. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to new environments are crucial for your success in this role. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $ $30.00 per hour Expected hours: 40 per week Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Vision insurance Schedule: Day shift Monday to Friday Work Location: In person Job Type: Full-time Pay: $ $30.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: In person