Job Title: Early Childhood Educator
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To successfully provide children with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment while educating staff and parents through the developmental milestones.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Knowledgeable in the Developmental Milestones from birth through 4 years old.
- Knowledgeable in the Michigan Department of Education Early Childhood Standards.
- Group children with their primary caregiver.
- Inform the office when supplies are needed, including art materials, sensory items, gloves, wipes, and cleaning supplies.
- Oversee the daily operations of the classroom.
- Communicate with all parents regarding their child’s development.
- Ensure the classroom is equipped with age-appropriate materials and organized for a quality child development program.
- Develop weekly age-appropriate lesson plans, incorporating sensory activities, stories, music, art, science, math, and small/large motor skill development across physical, social, emotional, and intellectual areas.
- Post any allergy information.
- Maintain a current list of types of infant formula and breast milk.
- Supervise all caregivers, ensuring the best interests of all children are met.
- Follow the Bay City Public Schools Early Childhood Centers Employee Handbook.
- Comply with all Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers set by the State of Michigan Department of Human Services.
- Understand the Bay City Public Schools Early Childhood Centers Program Guide and Health Policies and Procedures and be able to share this information with parents and staff.
- Maintain current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid certification.
- Follow OSHA procedures for blood-borne pathogens, including proper diapering procedures.
- Participate in mandatory continuing education staff meetings to improve and expand knowledge.
- Have knowledge of all emergency procedures and routinely practice them.
- Arrive at work on time, prepared, and ready to meet children’s needs.
- Maintain child-friendly and respectful communication.
- Demonstrate professionalism in demeanor and workplace relationships.
- Contribute to joint responsibilities and teamwork.
- Interact with children positively and patiently, engaging in play at their level.
- Greet parents, children, visitors, and staff in a friendly and professional manner.
- Maintain open communication with parents to build understanding and consistency for children.
- Maintain constant communication with the Facilitator, Early Childhood Director, and Assistant Early Childhood Facilitator regarding daily occurrences.
- Share ideas and accept suggestions to contribute to the program’s success.
- Respond consistently to infants’ needs for food or comfort to develop trust.
- Praise infants for accomplishments and encourage competence.
- Respect infants’ curiosity about each other while ensuring gentle interactions.
- Send daily notes home to inform parents about their child’s day.
- Each caregiver is primarily responsible for three children, handling all their daily needs, including feeding, sleeping, diapering, and supporting developmental milestones.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT & CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES
- Model language development through communication, singing, and reading.
- Encourage brain development through touch, sound, movement, sensory exploration, and visual experiences.
- Recognize each child as a unique individual with distinct growth and development patterns, incorporating individual needs into daily routines.
- Maintain awareness of all classroom activities at all times.
- Educate staff on weekly lesson plans, ensuring they are age-appropriate and cover sensory activities, stories, music, art, science, math, and motor skill development.
- Keep the classroom clean and organized.
- Record feedings, diaper changes, medication administration, and sleep patterns for children under one year old.
- Place mouthed toys in the dirty toy bin after use.
- Follow safe sleep practices: Infants must be placed in cribs on their backs to sleep, and cribs are the only approved sleeping equipment.
- Sanitize high chairs after meals using the three-step cleaning process, sweep floors after meals, and disassemble high chairs for cleaning at least once per week.
- Provide varied play experiences throughout the day, including holding, cuddling, floor play, tummy time, stroller walks, rocking, and swinging.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and enjoyment when working with children.
DIMENSIONS OF POSITION
- Supervise children and personnel assigned to the Infant Room under the guidance of the Center Administrator.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Meet the minimum requirements as set by the State of Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing for Lead Caregiver.
- Must be at least 19 years old.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Meet the education requirements outlined in Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers.
- Demonstrate responsible character and suitability for working with children.
- Have a current physical exam and TB test.
- Have a genuine love for children.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS
- Current First Aid, Adult and Pediatric CPR, and AED certification required.
COMPUTER SKILLS
- Ability to communicate via email.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to read technical procedures, program guides, health policies, and licensing requirements.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Ability to work with fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to solve practical problems and manage various tasks with limited standardization.
- Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, and schedule-based instructions.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Apply knowledge of current research and theory in early childhood education.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, peers, and the community.
- Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
- Perform duties in compliance with district requirements, Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal laws.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Regularly required to stand, talk, and hear; may also be required to walk and sit.
- Occasionally required to push or lift up to 50 pounds.
- Responsible for the safety and well-being of children and others.
- Requires close vision for reading handwritten or typed materials and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to handle multiple demands from various individuals while interacting with staff, children, and the public.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The noise level is typically moderate to loud.
- Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors.
Note: This job description complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, and additional duties may be assigned as needed.
