Preschool Lead Teacher

Rosalie Hall is an accredited children's mental health facility focused on the needs of pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-25, their children, and their families.

Reporting to: Program Manager, Early Learning and Childcare Centre.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, and as a Registered Early Childhood Educator, the Preschool Lead Teacher will:

• Provide leadership in creating, implementing and maintaining the delivery of high-quality child care services to meet the unique needs of the preschool population and to enhance the preparation of children in that age group for the transition to kindergarten through building skills-based competencies with a particular focus on self-regulation and communication.
• Support the professional development of other preschool room staff in the delivery of programming in the context of preschoolers and their families with multiple and at times, complex needs.
• Ensure exceptional supervision and programming based on children’s emerging skills, interests, and needs in a safe, stimulating, organized and creative environment.
• Serve as a primary contact point for families who are challenged in seeking guidance and support from the other staff in the preschool room.
• Represent the program and agency internally and externally within the community as required collaborating with other providers/agencies to meet the needs of clients and the program.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE:

The Preschool Lead as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) will function within the scope of practice defined by Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators (Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice), the childcare licensing standards as identified by the City of Toronto, Ministry of Education and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Membership in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators
• Knowledge of best practices in working with the preschool age group of children who may be part of a family with complex needs, including familiarity with concepts related to infant mental health, youth mental health, trauma-informed services, and the impacts of poverty on children and the social determinants of health.
• Demonstrated skills related to program development implementation in conjunction with the ELCC’s philosophy, the City of Toronto Assessment for Quality Improvement (AQI) standards and the Ministry of Education’s document on How Does Learning Happen?
• Compelling evidence of priority determination and demonstrated flexibility to address competing demands while managing risk and emerging issues
• Able to identify personal learning needs and seek consultation and support through supervision
• Effective interpersonal and cooperative leadership skills that support positive and solution-focused interactions
• Enthusiasm and resilience with the ability to remain calm when facing new or challenging situations
• Sensitivity to an anti-bias/anti-oppressive approach to service
• Knowledge of related policy agendas, relevant legislation and Canadian Centre for Accreditation standards that impact the delivery of early childhood education services within the context of a Children’s Mental Health Centre

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate a dynamic preschool program that promotes the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development of preschool-aged children and includes:
  • Balancing indoor/outdoor, quiet/active, and individual/group activities
  • Establishing, implementing, and maintaining daily activity schedules and care routines
  • Completing Ages and Stages Questionnaires for each child at admission to the ELCC and at regular intervals thereafter
  • Developing Individualized Program Plans and Developmental Support Plans
• Observe and document children’s daily activities and needs ensuring clear and concise reporting of accidents, injuries, illnesses and entries to the client file as needed.
• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to licensing requirements set out by the City of Toronto Children’s Services and the Ontario Ministry of Education, as well as promoting excellence in relation to the AQI expectations, standards and guidelines for child care.
• Act as the primary contact for families in the preschool room who may be challenged in working with other room staff and thereby offering ongoing communication about their child’s progress, program updates, and additional support services if needed.
• Coordinate referrals for additional support services when necessary, ensuring families are connected to the appropriate resources.
• Adhere to professional obligations for continuous learning
• Meet children’s and families’ needs in a supportive and empathetic manner utilizing a trauma-informed, anti-racism, anti-oppression lens.
• Role model appropriate behaviour in all interpersonal interactions
• Adhere to behavioural guidance policies established by Rosalie Hall
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with co-workers, families, and community partners
• Be physically fit to meet the demands of the program and able to lift 25kg without difficulty.
• Support an environment for professional learning for student placements which includes learning, development, guidance and evaluation.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote the ongoing direction of Rosalie Hall as a respectful and inclusive environment that addresses clients’ needs holistically
• Keep all matters pertaining to clients confidential
• Adhere to all agency mission, philosophy, policy, and procedure systems
• Actively participate in program and agency-wide staff meetings, training opportunities and supervision/support sessions on a regular basis
• Undertake shifting tasks and duties in a flexible manner to meet the demands of an expanded and changing program model
• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and practice Universal Precautions