Assist the Learning Center Lead Teacher with activities and maintain the environment of a designated classroom area at the Little Minnows Learning Center. 

The Learning Center Teacher assists with planning and implementing the daily learning activities of a designated group of children, helping with evaluating children’s progress and maintaining on-going communication with parents and ensuring a safe, attractive learning environment for children in the program. Actions demonstrate compassion and concern for right to privacy for all internal and external customers; main­tains strict confidentiality of information pertaining to those customers; deals with our customers in a professional and caring manner; cooperates with co-workers and other hospital staff to meet customer’s needs; and listens attentively to concerns and responds by following a positive approach to problem solving. May be required to fill in when the Learning Center Lead Teacher is absent.

General Responsibilities:

· Assists in planning, conducting, and evaluating a daily program appropriate to age group served, intended to provide developmentally appropriate activities, and learning experiences for children. Keep informed and abreast of research and new developments in Early Childhood.

· Assists in supervising and evaluating children according to Little Minnows Learning Center’s standards.

· Works with team teachers to formulate a weekly written curriculum plan. Prepares monthly theme calendars with team teachers. Assists in supervising and participating in daily activities of designated classroom.

· Provides frequent, positive, and warm interactions with children. Utilizes positive discipline techniques (including redirection, positive reinforcement, offering choices, and setting limits, as age appropriate), which promote self-esteem, self-control, problem solving, empathy and respect for others.

Professional Development:

· Actively participates in weekly group and monthly staff meetings and in-services. Contributes knowledge and participates in discussion during meetings and in-services. Participates in center activities/special events.

· Annually completes 18 hours of additional training in early childhood education or completes 3 to 6 college credits of additional training in ECE as approved by the department and meets requirements for continuing education and in-service stipulated by state licensing.

Children/Program Activity:

· Works with Learning Center Lead Teacher to ensure that developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive activities are well implemented. Curriculum is based upon current and best practices in early childhood programs.

· Maintains effective parent relations by daily communication and ongoing documentation about the child’s development and adjustment in the program. Provides opportunities for periodic formal conferences, at least semi-annually. Seeks parental feedback with formal parent surveys on an annual basis.

Education: High School diploma or GED equivalent

Continuing Education Requirement:

· Annually completes 18 hours of additional training in early childhood education and completes at least 6 of the 18 hours in the designated age group assigned.

· Must meet the requirements for continuing education and in-service stipulated by state licensing.

Certification

· Basic First Aid and CPR (Child and Infant) Heartsaver certification or BLS through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

· Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card

Licensure: N/A

Experience: Minimum of two years’ experience assisting another teacher in an early childcare center, an appropriate combination of education and experience deemed equivalent by the Learning Center Director.

Skills/Knowledge:

· General knowledge of all state codes that regulate childcare centers, including the Arizona State Licensing Regulations.

· A genuine concern for the happiness, safety, and well-being of children

· Ability to relate to staff and parents with good communication skills

· Motivation to continually enhance the environment of the Learning Center

· Good independent decision-making skills

· Ability to relate to children in a positive manner.

Education: An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in the areas of early childhood, child development, or closely related field; or credentialing through one of the following: N.A.C., C.D.A., C.C.P., or C.P.C.; or have at least or 20 credits in ECE.

Exposure Categories: Category II: Expected duties have routine potential for exposure body fluids.

· Must be at least 21 years of age or older.

· Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, 25-50 times per shift

· Must be able to walk 2-3 miles per day; reach, bend at the waist, crawl, twist, balance, and bend at the knees, all in the process of carrying out activities and providing custodial care for young children.

· Must have the physical stamina to spend 9 hours per shift providing activities and care of young children.

· Must be able to maintain concentration, focusing on multiple tasks simultaneously.

· Must be skilled at negotiation and de-escalation tactics.

· Must have visual acuity for close supervision for groups of children.

· Requires good independent decision-making skills.