POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for the day- to-day operation and management of the classroom. Primarystaff responsible for guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectualdevelopment of children in the classroom, ensuring each child’s individual needs are Implementslesson plans in collaboration with teacher assistant using established curricula ensuring that small group, large group and individual experiences are provided.
• Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in the education, nutrition, health, dental andmental health Prepares children for screening and exam procedures such as vision, hearing, dental, speech, and developmental to encourage successful completion.
• Ensures ongoing observation and assessment on each child within the classroom utilizing required tracking Daily observation will include anecdotal notes, health checks, and other tracking requirements.
• Maintains Education Child Portfolio for each child in the classroom with required and current documentation.
• Works to identify any child with a suspected delay or any other area of concern and reports the suspicion to the Site Supervisor following the policy & procedure.
• Ensures implementation of IEPs and/or IFSPs.
• Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment. Provides appropriate guidance to promote children’s gross motor Balances indoor and outdoor activities to stimulate both cognitive growth and physical skills.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground Monitors and reports to supervisor in writing any needed repairs and takes appropriate action to correct any unsafe area.

• Maintaining an adequately supplied classroom, ensuring the physical and developmental needs of all children are met.
• Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, question and gain mastery through learning by doing. Encourages language development of children by asking open ended questions.
• Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through the promotion of cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences.
• Provides direct supervision to children at all times; maintaining child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Ensures accurate classroom attendance, assuring the sign in/out sheet corresponds with the number of children in the classroom at all Provides information to Family Advocate of any known reason for child absence.
• Participates with children at mealtimes, including breakfast and lunch, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
• Provides implementation of healthy cooking experiences within the classroom setting that reflect the ethnic and cultural composition of the population.
• Utilizes required technology (hardware & software) as needed for full implementation of policies & procedures.
• Participates in planning and participates in regular safety and fire/storm Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit, safe and secure medication storage unit and to ensure OSHA standards are met.
• Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and
• Assists in the recruitment of children and staff for the Participates in community activities that enhance the program as requested.
• Assists in maintaining appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program and ensures quality of data and timelines for completion.
• Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings and annual parent activities as requested.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.

• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of the program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of the program, federal, state and local regulations/laws, and federal regulations/laws including best practices in the field of child development, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential to understanding thescope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: CDA, FCCPC or Associates Degree.  Must complete all required trainings as mandated by the current versions of the Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, the Office of Early Learning School Readiness Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook and other training standards adopted by the Office of Early Learning. Must obtain/maintain CPR/First Aid certification. Will complete Head Start required annual training hours. 

Experience: Experience in early childhood/pre-k classroom to include knowledge of develop mentally appropriate practices for children ages birth-5 years old.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current carrier. Subject to Federal, State and Local legal requirements/background checks/clearance for working with children.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Sitting, standing for long periods of time, use of fingers, arms, hands and legs and voice/talking are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential. Squatting, walking, handling, grasping, stretching/reaching, bending at the waist, driving and light lifting and/or carrying (up to 1lbs) are frequent. Pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing, turning, feeling, medium lifting and/or carrying (up to 50lbs) are occasional. Playing with children, which may include hopping, skipping, jumping,dancing, and twisting are frequent. Must have ability to get up from a seated position on the floor or a low chair without hesitation.

Equipment: Instructional materials and supplies, playground equipment, computer, multi-line phone and other small office and equipment and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Ability to plan and carry out lesson plans. Ability to learn how to coordinate activities. Ability to work with children with special needs. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children. Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to arrive to work daily and ontime. Ability to work with limited direction. Knowledge of organizational methods. Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to analyze and interpret data. Ability to use and operate a computer. Ability to maintain You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child and parent confidentiality. Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Program sites are in Hernando and Volusia counties. Primary location for Volusia is defined within geographical quadrant of the county; for Hernando County, the primary location is within the county. Occasional travel to other counties.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office environment and working alone and with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.

About You Thrive Florida

You Thrive Florida is a mid-size nonprofit 501(c)(3) Community Action agency dedicated to eliminating the causes of poverty through a comprehensive service delivery approach. Ongoing funding and resources are primarily obtained from “pass through” grants originating at the federal and state levels. The agency also relies heavily on local donors, partners, in-kind contributions, fundraising activities, and volunteer support as a key strategy to long term sustainability.

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