Lead Childcare Teacher
21 days ago
Onalaska
Job Description Summary Join the Northstar Early Learning Center Family Are you passionate about shaping young minds and creating a nurturing environment for children? Northstar Early Learning Center is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic teachers to join our vibrant team! Why Northstar? • Inspire Young Learners:Make a difference every day in a warm, supportive setting., • Grow with Us:Opportunities for professional development and career advancement., • Fun Work Environment:Join a team that values creativity and collaboration. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Northstar family!" alt="🌟"> Duties 1. Implementing the Curriculum • Assess Needs: Conduct individual assessments for each child to understand their developmental stage, learning style, and any special needs., • Tailor Activities: Customize the Northstar curriculum activities to cater to these individual needs, ensuring inclusivity and engagement., • Ongoing Evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum for each child and make necessary adjustments., • Professional Development: Ensure staff are trained and continually updated on the curriculum and best practices for early childhood education.2. Creating a Safe, Nurturing Environment, • Safety Protocols: Establish and enforce strict safety guidelines and procedures, including emergency drills and secure entry/exit points., • Positive Environment: Foster a nurturing atmosphere by encouraging positive interactions, providing emotional support, and promoting social skills., • Health and Hygiene: Maintain high standards of cleanliness and ensure all health and hygiene protocols are strictly followed., • Resource Availability: Ensure that learning materials and equipment are age-appropriate, safe, and accessible.3. Partnering with Parents, • Communication Channels: Set up regular communication channels (newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, daily reports) to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and center activities., • Parental Involvement: Encourage and facilitate parent involvement in their child’s learning through workshops, volunteering opportunities, and feedback sessions., • Support Systems: Provide resources and support for parents to help them understand and engage with the curriculum and their child’s development.4. Supporting Center Success, • Team Collaboration: Work closely with center staff and leadership to align on goals and strategies for enrollment, accreditation, and overall engagement., • Performance Metrics: Monitor key performance indicators related to enrollment numbers, satisfaction levels, and accreditation progress., • Professional Growth: Encourage and support staff professional development to ensure high-quality education and care.5. Cultivating Positive Relationships, • Community Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with local community contacts and corporate partners to enhance the center’s presence and support., • Licensing Authorities: Maintain open and proactive communication with state licensing authorities to ensure compliance and address any issues promptly., • Family Interaction: Foster strong, positive relationships with families by being approachable, responsive, and empathetic.Implementation Checklist, • Curriculum Adaptation:, • Assess and document individual child needs., • Modify and implement activities., • Schedule regular reviews and updates., • Safety and Environment:, • Review and update safety protocols., • Conduct environment assessments., • Provide training on health and safety., • Parent Partnership:, • Develop communication strategies., • Plan and schedule parental involvement activities., • Set up feedback mechanisms., • Center Success:, • Define and align on goals with staff., • Track and analyze performance metrics., • Organize staff development sessions., • Relationship Building:, • Map out key community and corporate contacts., • Schedule regular check-ins with licensing authorities., • Plan community and family engagement events., • By addressing each of these areas comprehensively, you’ll be able to create a thriving early learning environment that supports the development and well-being of every child while fostering strong partnerships with families and the community. Requirements To excel in a role at Northstar Early Learning Center and make a meaningful impact on children’s lives, you’ll need to embrace several key aspects of the position. Here’s a comprehensive approach to meet and exceed the outlined expectations: 1. Genuine Passion and Purpose • Commitment to Children: Demonstrate a genuine love for children by engaging actively with them, showing patience, and fostering a supportive environment that encourages their growth and learning., • Purpose-Driven Work: Approach every task with the mindset of making a positive difference in each child’s life. Reflect on the impact of your work daily and seek out ways to enhance the learning experience.2. Building Warm Relationships, • With Families:, • Open Communication: Use various communication methods (in-person meetings, phone calls, emails) to keep families informed about their child’s progress and center activities., • Transparency: Be honest and clear in all communications, providing families with relevant information about their child’s development and any issues that arise., • Supportive Interaction: Actively listen to parents’ concerns and feedback, and collaborate with them to address any issues or needs., • With Coworkers:, • Team Collaboration: Foster a collaborative work environment by supporting and respecting colleagues, sharing insights, and working together towards common goals., • Positive Atmosphere: Contribute to a positive workplace culture through encouragement, recognition of others’ efforts, and open, respectful communication.3. Meeting Education Requirements, • Child Care Teacher Qualifications:, • Registry/DHS Requirements: Ensure you meet all state-specific education and certification requirements for child care teachers., • Ongoing Education: Stay updated with changes in regulations and continue professional development to meet evolving standards., • Child Development Associate (CDA):, • Obtain CDA: If you do not already possess a CDA, enroll in an accredited program to obtain it. This certification demonstrates your commitment to early childhood education and enhances your qualifications.4. Strong Organizational Skills, • Documentation Management:, • Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for each child, including developmental milestones, attendance, and any special needs or accommodations., • Attention to Detail: Implement systems and processes to ensure that all documentation and needs are addressed promptly and thoroughly., • Daily Operations:, • Routine Management: Develop and follow a structured daily routine that balances learning and play, ensuring all activities are well-organized and meet curriculum goals.5. Effective Communication, • Families:, • Honest Dialogue: Provide regular updates on children’s progress and areas for improvement. Address any concerns or questions from parents with clarity and empathy., • Engagement: Involve families in their child’s learning process and encourage their participation in center activities and events., • Team Members:, • Clear Reporting: Communicate effectively with coworkers and supervisors about any issues, achievements, or changes related to the children and center operations.6. Certification and Physical Requirements, • CPR and First Aid:, • Certification: Obtain or maintain CPR and First Aid certification to ensure you are prepared to handle emergencies and provide a safe environment for children., • Physical Capability:, • Physical Demands: Be prepared to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting up to 40 pounds, and working both indoors and outdoors as needed., • Computer Use: Ensure you are comfortable with using a computer for documentation and communication purposes.7. Experience and Compliance, • Experience:, • Early Childhood Education: Leverage any previous experience in early childhood education to bring practical knowledge and skills to the role. If you have less than 1 year of experience, focus on quickly gaining relevant experience and skills., • State Guidelines:, • Compliance: Familiarize yourself with and adhere to any specific guidelines or regulations set by the state for your role. Obtain any additional certifications or qualifications required.Implementation Checklist, • Passion and Purpose:, • Reflect on personal motivations and regularly assess the impact of your work., • Relationship Building:, • Develop strategies for effective communication and relationship-building with families and coworkers., • Education and Certification:, • Confirm all required qualifications and certifications. Enroll in required programs if necessary., • Organizational Skills:, • Create a system for managing documentation and daily tasks., • Communication:, • Establish regular communication routines with families and team members., • Certification and Physical Readiness:, • Obtain necessary certifications and ensure physical readiness for job requirements., • By addressing these areas effectively, you’ll be well-positioned to contribute positively to the Northstar Early Learning Center and support the development and well-being of the children in your care., • Must be able to assume postures in low levels to keep eye-level visual contact with children, • Reliable transportationAbility to speak, read, and write English. Benefits enefits Overview • Competitive Salary and Wages:, • Market-Competitive Pay: We offer a compensation package that is designed to be competitive in the field of early childhood education., • Regular Reviews: Salary reviews and adjustments based on performance and market conditions., • Discounted Childcare:, • Reduced Rates: Take advantage of discounted rates on childcare services at our center., • Convenience: Access quality care conveniently located at your workplace., • Generous Paid Time Off:, • Vacation Days: Accumulate paid vacation days to use throughout the year., • Sick Leave: Receive paid sick leave to manage personal health or family emergencies., • Education Assistance and Reimbursement:, • Tuition Reimbursement: Get financial support for tuition and educational expenses related to your career development., • Professional Development: Access funds for training programs, workshops, and certifications., • EAP Mental Health Assistance:, • Confidential Support: Access free and confidential counseling services., • Well-Being Resources: Utilize resources for managing stress, work-life balance, and other personal challenges., • By offering these benefits, we aim to create a supportive and enriching work environment that values your contributions and promotes your personal and professional well-being. About Us Northstar Early Learning Center is a family-owned childcare center that partners with families in preparing children for lifelong success through rich educational experiences in a safe, nurturing environment. And, we seek to serve as a destination for professionals who are building a legacy in childcare.