Early Childhood Teacher
Company: Memorial Health
Location: Springfield
Posted on: April 18, 2024
Job Description:
Overview
Working as an Early Childhood Teacher at Memorial you will provide
a safe and nurturing environment for children to encourage their
social, emotional, physical and intellectual development through
designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum
according to guidelines established by the Illinois Department of
Children and Family services, Creative Curriculum and ExceleRate
Illinois.
Qualifications
Age Requirement:
- The IL Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) requires
teachers to be a minimum of 19 years of age.
Education:
- High School Diploma or equivalency certificate (GED)
required.
- Associate's degree in Early Childhood or Child Development is
strongly desired. Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood or related
field is strongly preferred.
- In lieu of an Associate's degree, DCFS requires one of the
following: 60 semester hours of college credits with 6 hours
directly being related to child care or child development (birth to
age 6), or 1 year experience in child development in a nursery
school, child care or kindergarten program with 30 semester hours
in college with 6 semester hours directly being related to child
care or child development (birth to age 6), or completion of
credentialing program approved by DCFS (CDA).
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
- Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry member within the
first 5 days of employment
- Provide 3 letters of reference per DCFS requirements
- Hold or be able to obtain, within 90 days, First Aid/CPR
certification
Experience:
- DCFS requires a minimum of one (1) year of experience in child
care, early childhood, or child development.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Maintain 20 hrs of in-service hours each fiscal year, 5 hours
must be from a Gateway Registry-approved training.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills, initiative in a
friendly, courteous and professional manner.
- Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of development.
- Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care
practices.
- Understands the general areas of physical, social, cognitive
and emotional development for this age group.
Responsibilities
- Interaction between staff and children:
- Interacts frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by
smiling, touching, and holding children. Speaks in a friendly,
calm, soft and courteous manner within close proximity of the
child.
- Respects and observes children's interests. Intervenes when
needed to maintain safety. Enhances children's play with language,
toys and activities. Encourages and models the appropriate
behaviors and expectations.
- Communicates directly with each child at the child's level.
Engages and communicates constructively with children during
activities and routines. Positively extends children's thinking and
actions.
- Maintains availability and responsiveness to children's needs,
questions, and requests. Acknowledges feelings with sensitivity and
demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
- Practices positive discipline techniques in guiding children's
behavior according to MMC's guidelines.
- Maintains attentiveness, flexibility and support with children
and others during transitions among classrooms.
- Curriculum:
- Implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum based upon
the guidelines set forth in the Creative Curriculum which reflects
observations and assessments of individual children. Plans a daily
schedule which balances activities using the Creative Curriculum
lesson plan.
- Designs an environment which responds to children's individual
development, physical and emotional needs and interests through the
use of Creative Curriculum. Fosters positive self-concepts by
supporting individuality, independence, and choices. Encourages
creative expression. Respects diversity by providing anti-bias,
non-sexist language, images, and experiences which reflect both
center and global communities.
- Creates documentation of children's accomplishments through
anecdotal notes, observations and portfolios.
- Faculty/Parent Interactions:
- Acknowledges parents and all classroom visitors. Invites input
from parents regarding their child's development and care. Responds
to parents' comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and
respect.
- Maintains confidentiality. Establishes and maintains a Primary
Care giving relationship with individual children and their
families. Assists in the planning and attend center/classroom
events and meetings.
- Communicates verbally and in writing with parents regarding the
development and specific activities of the children in their
primary care. Shares resources with parents through discussions,
articles, parent boards, etc.
- Physical environment, health safety and nutrition:
- Maintains and follow all safety and health rules of the center.
Supervise children at all times. Demonstrates awareness of entire
group while working with a small group or individuals. Encourages
children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional
practices.
- Knows the number of children in assigned group and maintains
ratios at all times. Maintains accurate attendance records
throughout the day. Completes appropriate paperwork (i.e.
accidents, medication, etc.).
- Keeps environment and equipment safe, clean and attractive.
Encourages respect for classroom materials. Alerts others supplies
are needed. Organizes materials on low, open shelves for children
to use independently.
- Professionalism:
- Maintains confidentiality about issues concerning the out
faculty members, children and families or MMC leadership and
operations. Supports organizational mission, philosophies, values,
goals, and policies.
- Ensures continuity of care for children by reporting to work on
time and maintaining consistent attendance, arranging and
communicating leave requests in advance. Respects and adheres to
staffing schedules which may be adjusted as programs needs change
and may include working in another classroom.
- Attends faculty meetings, training sessions and other center
events. Continues professional growth by attending courses, asking
for feedback and reading professional literature.
- Receives constructive criticism with a willingness to improve.
Provides feedback in a respectful manner.
- Teamwork:
- Establishes and maintains cooperation and respect with
co-workers. Assumes fair share of work and seeks ways to be
helpful. Assumes other responsibilities as needed: kitchen, pets,
etc. Offers and shares ideas and materials with others.
- Participates in teaching team through communication,
collaboration and curriculum planning. Communicates and works to
resolve conflicts quickly and avoid gossip. Exercises care in
expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional
conduct of co-workers. Statements are based on first-hand knowledge
and relevant to the interests of children and programs.
- Performs other related work as required or requested.
Associated topics: baby, child, child care, daycare teachers, early
childhood, early education, infant, nursery education, preschool
assistant teacher, toddler teacher
Keywords: Memorial Health, Decatur , Early Childhood Teacher, Education / Teaching , Springfield, Illinois
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