Lead Teacher -

Job Description

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The Lead Teacher position is responsible for providing a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for all of the children attending Geneseo Child Care while staying in accordance with all licensing regulations, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Center/Daily Operations:

• Supervise staff and assist in the planning and implementation of curriculum

• Preparing snack for children following USDA guidelines and each child’s dietary limitations

• Rest periods based on individual child needs and licensing rules

• Redirecting or initiating other measures to control behavior following policies, licensing rules, and redirection strategies

• Changing diapers as needed following policies and licensing rules

• Potty training with children when appropriate due to child development principals

• Helping dressing children when needed

• Identifying signs of emotional or developmental problems in children per child developmental principals

• Keeping daily sheets for each child up to date and organized

• Communicating with parents

• Observing and monitoring children’s play activities

• Organizing and participating in recreational activities

• Sanitizing toys per GCC and licensing policies and organize and store toys in appropriate activity areas

• Supporting children’s emotional and social development needs per child development principals

• Arrive to the center on time for your scheduled shift to keep mandated ratios in classrooms correctly

• Know the specifics about each child in the classroom you are working in

• Ensure proper hand washing procedures are followed in the classroom you are working in

• Stay within ratio of the classroom 100% of the time

• Adhere to the classroom schedule

• Overall supervision of all teachers in your classroom

• Follow and adhere to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Rule 407 at all times

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Section 407.140 Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers:

a) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall be at least 19 years of age.

b) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED).

c) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 407.100, the early childhood teacher responsible for a group of children that includes infants, toddler or pre-school age children shall have achieved:

Sixty semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; OR
One year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; OR
Completion of credentialing programs approved by the Department in accordance with Appendix G of this Part.
d) School-age workers shall be at least 19 years of age and at least five years older than the oldest child with whom they work.

e) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 407.100, the newly employed school-age worker responsible for a group of school-age children shall have achieved:

Thirty semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university with six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) related to school-age child care, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping or other related fields; OR
1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program or licensed day care center serving school-age children or a license exempt school-age child care program operated by a public or private school, and six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university related to school-age child care, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping or other related fields; OR
A high school diploma or equivalency certificate plus 3120 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten, or licensed day care center serving school-age children or a license exempt school-age child care program operated by a public or private school.
f) Completion of a training program accredited by the American Montessori Society or Association Montessori International may be substituted for the courses directly related to child care and/or child development required by this Section. Persons holding a Montessori pre-primary credential may supervise children through age six. Persons holding a Montessori primary or elementary credential may supervise children six years of age or older.

g) Persons who were deemed qualified as a child care worker or school-age worker prior to January 1, 1985, continue to be deemed qualified as an early childhood teacher or school-age worker.

h) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall be responsible for the planning and supervision of a group of children. Early childhood workers and school-age workers shall also be responsible for supervising persons assigned to assist their group who are not similarly qualified.

(Source: Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 3011, effective February 15, 2004)

LICENSING STANDARDS FOR DAY CARE CENTERS September 22, 2014 – P.T. 2014.17

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood OR a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; Elementary or Early Childhood.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

Degree and/or certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Development from a nationally or State Accredited Institution;
Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Programs, Internet, and Email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds regularly

• Must be able to sit down on floor to play with children

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time

• Must be able to attend work as required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

As a Lead Teacher you will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe environment to all children at all times.

All of our employees have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. We will offer staff training and development opportunities throughout the year to help further each employee’s education and personal growth as well as enhance the classroom experience.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time