Infant Toddler Lead Teacher

Lead Teachers are attached to one specific classroom and group of children and are also a leader of our center and must be comfortable and confident with the responsibility and skills required in this role. It is important that this person has a passion for our mission and caring for children and their families.

They work with two assistant teachers, and coworkers including support staff and other childcare staff and volunteers to provide learning experiences for toddler and preschool aged children at Generations ELFC in our intergenerational community. 

The Lead Teacher maintains working knowledge of WA Child Care Licensing regulations (WACs) and Generations policies and procedures and other applicable regulations (i.e.: nursing home). 

Essential Functions/ Responsibilities:

• Plans, implements, and evaluates individual and group center activities, field trips, and parent/child activities.
• Completes individual child formal and informal assessments and delegates duties involved in this task.
• Develops lesson plans for an assigned area or individual learning experiences.
• Prepares, sets up, and cleans up classroom/ center activities and delegates these duties to others.
• Works directly with children in small groups and individually.
• Maintains materials and equipment.
• Keeps clear records, routines and parent communications and related documentation.
• Not only adheres to but models our General Performance Criteria for all other staff including reliability, adaptability, and customer service. 

Other Responsibilities:

• Attends parent events, meetings and training sessions as required by the supervisor.
• Provides internal guidance to the teaching team and support staff regarding daily issues, which enables others to take action or make decisions.
• Manages classroom food service and meal time environment and delegates required roles.  

Education, Experience, Training Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent and 30-hour childcare basics STARS course completed.
• Degree Requirement: A Child Development Associates (CDA), Associates in Early Childhood Education (ECE), or Bachelors degree in any field with 12 college quarter credits in ECE and experience in ECE, or state certificate.
• Proof of vaccines for MMR & Covid
• Work experience in early childhood education setting.
• Experience working with families under stress preferred.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Able to work effectively with parents, volunteers, children and staff.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds and maintain stamina throughout the day, while spending a majority of the day on the same level as the infants and toddlers (i.e. a lot of time on the floor, getting up and down, holding and lifting children)
• Basic language skills include the ability to read and express oneself clearly verbally and in writing.
• Competent in documentation and record keeping.
• Demonstrated ability to relate in a supportive, non-judgmental manner to families of varying cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Preferred: knowledge of other languages and cultures.
• Able to explain, instruct, and model for others our routine, existing policies, practices, and procedures.
• Basic computer skills including familiarity with word processing, adapting to systems like apps or email for communication and record keeping.
• Able to adapt interpersonal skills in response to individual styles, personalities, and cultures.

Additional Requirements Upon Hiring:

• Must have a TB test and submit test results prior to hire date.
• Must submit to a criminal record check to ascertain that the applicant has not been convicted of a child abuse or neglect offense per Washington State Child Abuse Law (Ch. 486, Laws of 1987) or DSHS licensing requirements.
• Must have current first aid and infant/child CPR training (or obtain within 30 days), and must maintain current certificates for length of employment.
• Must have and maintain Washington state food handlers permit during length of employment.

Benefits for full time employees:

• Paid Healthcare
• Paid Holidays (2023-24 school year included 13 days)
• Paid time off (rates are based on length of employment)
• $100 per year for work requirements
• Professional Development opportunities (2023-24 school year included 7 paid training days)

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed in a noisy, active infant toddler classroom environment and crowded office environment. Regular exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and occasional crisis situations.