Universal Pre-K Teacher

First Learning; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

First Learning is seeking a UPK Teacher to supervise a classroom and support the development of children in alignment with NYS OCFS regulations and NAEYC principles. The role requires strong observational skills, safety mindset, and ability to foster social, physical, emotional and cognitive growth.

Certification or degree options include NYS Teaching Certification Birth-2 or a Bachelor's with ECE credits, with commitment to certification within three years.

Qualifications

• Must meet NYS UPK teacher requirements.
• Experience with early childhood education preferred.
• Commitment to ongoing professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Adhering to NYS OCFS regulations and center policies.
• Provide care, safety and well-being for children in the classroom.
• Plan and implement age-appropriate, open-ended activities aligned with NAEYC and district philosophy.
• Maintain organized classroom with learning centers and hands-on activities.
• Supervise and train staff as needed.
• Communicate with parents through daily reports and regular updates.
• Maintain records for OCFS and district.
• Complete required training hours.

Skills

Observation skills

Safety awareness

Communication

Team leadership

Flexibility

Creativity

Education

NYS Teaching Certification (Birth-2)

Bachelor's degree with ECE credits

6 months school experience with under 6s

Job description

Description

Purpose:

To be responsible for the general supervision (of children and classroom staff) and management of one classroom by performing the duties necessary to provide a safe, nurturing, stimulating and educational environment for children. This includes allowing the children to grow at their own pace and gain in social, physical, emotional and cognitive development.

Reports To: Director, Assistant Director or other designated Administrator

Supervises: Assistant Teachers

Works as a Team with: Designated School District

Requirements:

- Able to observe, see, hear and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, other Center areas, or on field trips
- Able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist high table 25 - 30 times daily
- Able to reach a child 20 - 30 feet away within 30 seconds
- Able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time on a regular basis
- Good health as confirmed by a physician's statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis
- New York State Registry clearance
- Criminal History Fingerprint clearance

Responsibilities:

- Adhering to all policies and procedures of First Learning Child Care and the child care licensing regulations of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
- The care, safety and well-being of all children in the classroom, including attending to children's personal needs, e.g., diapering, toileting, feeding, washing, clothing, comforting, preparing for rest
- Planning and implementing an age-appropriate, open-ended program which coincides with the philosophy of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the District
- Preparing an inviting, clean and organized classroom environment with learning centers and hands-on activities which coincides with the philosophy of NAEYC and the District
- Delegating program responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence
- Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner which follows the guidelines of NAEYC and the District
- Orienting and actively supervising children by overseeing both small and large groups of children
- Developing parent relationships and communicating directly with parents on a regular basis, including classroom orientation, daily child activity reports, and at least biannual progress reports
- Maintaining classroom records and keeping necessary written documentation for OCFS and the District
- Maintaining knowledge of classroom children's allergies, advising all staff and acting accordingly
- Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing classroom procedures
- Communicating effectively and directly with other staff
- Providing timely supervisor reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
- Supervising, training, coaching and developing staff assigned to the classroom
- Measuring progress of children and staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate
- Assisting supervisor and rendering staff support to all other classrooms and employees as necessary
- Supervising and maintaining general housekeeping and repair of assigned areas and common space
- Performing administrative duties as necessary for the classroom and Center operations
- Maintaining current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY
- Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Knowledge of NYS child care regulations
- Knowledge of and ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities which correspond with NAEYC guidelines
- Effective and tactful oral and written communication skills
- Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices
- Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents
- Ability to use constructive methods for maintaining group control and individual behaviors
- Ability to use sound judgment and tact
- Ability to work on a team as a team leader
- Ability to organize and problem solve effectively
- Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to the needs of the program)
- Creativity and patience

Requirements

Training and Experience:

UPK Teacher

- NYS Teaching Certification (Birth-2), OR
- A Bachelor’s Degree, at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education, OR
- at least 6 months of experience working in a school-based setting with children under the age of 6, and commit to obtain a NY State Early childhood teacher certification within three years of employment.

AND

Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community.