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Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Employee discounts
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Training & development
- Tuition assistance
- Wellness resources
Position Summary
The Child Care Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children. The teacher will support each child's social-emotional, cognitive, physical, language, and developmental growth while maintaining high standards of supervision, professionalism, classroom management, and regulatory compliance.
The Child Care Teacher is expected to build positive relationships with children and families while working collaboratively with other educators and program leadership.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Child Care Teacher will:
- Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
- Ensure required staff-to-child ratios are maintained.
- Create a warm, nurturing, inclusive, and welcoming classroom environment.
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
- Follow the program's approved curriculum and daily classroom schedule.
- Prepare weekly lesson plans and classroom activities.
- Establish and maintain organized learning centers.
- Provide literacy, language, math, science, art, music, movement, sensory, and social-emotional learning opportunities.
- Engage children in meaningful conversations and learning experiences throughout the day.
- Support children during transitions, meals, rest periods, toileting, diapering, and other daily routines.
- Use positive guidance and age-appropriate behavior-management strategies.
- Never use corporal punishment, humiliation, threats, inappropriate restraint, or other prohibited disciplinary practices.
- Observe children and document developmental progress.
- Complete required developmental screenings and assessments as assigned.
- Maintain accurate attendance and classroom records.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
- Communicate professionally with families regarding children's daily experiences, development, and classroom activities.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences when required.
- Immediately report accidents, injuries, suspected abuse or neglect, health concerns, and unusual incidents according to program procedures.
- Follow all mandated reporter requirements.
Health, Safety & Classroom Responsibilities
Teachers are responsible for maintaining a classroom that meets all health and safety expectations, including:
- Completing required classroom health and safety checks.
- Maintaining clean and sanitary classroom conditions.
- Following proper handwashing, diapering, toileting, and sanitation procedures.
- Cleaning and disinfecting toys, tables, chairs, learning materials, and classroom surfaces as required.
- Ensuring hazardous materials and cleaning products remain inaccessible to children.
- Monitoring children for signs of illness or injury.
- Following allergy and special dietary instructions.
- Following medication procedures when applicable.
- Maintaining accurate emergency contact and allergy information.
- Participating in fire drills, emergency drills, and evacuation procedures.
- Maintaining clear classroom exits and safe learning spaces.
- Ensuring children are accounted for during all transitions and movement throughout the facility.
Curriculum & Assessment
The Teacher will:
- Implement Creative Curriculum and other approved program instructional materials.
- Maintain developmentally appropriate classroom learning centers.
- Individualize activities based on children's developmental needs and interests.
- Complete observations and documentation in Teaching Strategies GOLD, when applicable.
- Assist with completion of ASQ-3 and ASQ screenings as required.
- Incorporate literacy enrichment throughout the classroom and daily routines.
- Participate in classroom observations, coaching, professional development, and quality-improvement activities.
CACFP & Meal Service Responsibilities
When participating in meal service, teachers must:
- Follow CACFP meal service procedures.
- Ensure children receive required meal components and appropriate portions.
- Maintain accurate meal counts as assigned.
- Follow food allergy and special dietary instructions.
- Encourage positive mealtime experiences.
- Follow sanitation and handwashing procedures.
- Never falsify meal counts, attendance, or other program documentation.
Professional Expectations
All teachers are expected to:
- Report to work consistently and on time.
- Follow the assigned work schedule.
- Maintain professional attendance and punctuality.
- Attend mandatory staff meetings, trainings, professional development, and parent conferences.
- Follow the program's dress code and uniform requirements.
- Refrain from personal cell phone use while supervising children.
- Maintain professional boundaries with children and families.
- Communicate respectfully with coworkers, families, administration, and children.
- Accept coaching, feedback, and corrective guidance professionally.
- Work collaboratively with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Therapeutic Support Staff, and program leadership.
- Maintain a positive attitude and contribute to a professional workplace culture.
- Follow all Bright Minds Bright Beginnings policies and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED at minimum.
- Meet Pennsylvania child care qualification requirements for the position assigned.
- Have previous experience working with young children; early childhood experience is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrate knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Successfully complete all required background checks and clearances.
- Complete required health assessments and documentation.
- Complete required orientation and annual professional development.
CDA, Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or coursework in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred.
Required Clearances/Documentation
Employment is contingent upon completion and maintenance of all documentation required by applicable Pennsylvania child care regulations and program policies, which may include:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance
- FBI Fingerprint Clearance
- National Sex Offender Registry verification, when applicable
- Required health assessment
- Required professional development and certifications
- CPR/First Aid certification, when required
Physical Requirements
The Child Care Teacher must be physically capable of performing essential child care responsibilities, including:
- Frequently standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and sitting on the floor.
- Moving quickly when necessary to ensure children's safety.
- Participating in indoor and outdoor activities.
- Assisting children with daily care routines.
- Lifting and carrying children and classroom materials as required by the assigned age group.
- Maintaining visual and auditory supervision of children throughout the workday.
Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.
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