Early Childhood Educator

Description:
**The Early Childhood Educator responsibilities includes**:

- Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum in a classroom setting for toddlers or preschool-aged children
- Developing partnership relationships with family members to better meet the needs of the child
- Maintaining current and timely documentation of work in compliance with Center and other regulatory agencies’ standards

**Educational support through the Professional Career Pathways Project (PCPP) which includes**:

- Tuition for 24 credits per school year for approved courses and $20 per credit textbook stipend

**Responsibilities**:

- Complete the Blake Foundation & Signal Peak Early Learning Center's new employee requirements for employment: orientation and training requirements, reporting suspected child abuse, and health requirements as specified by the Office of Child Care Licensure.
- Design and maintain a home-like classroom environment to enhance culturally sensitive learning based on the developmental needs of the children.
- Develop curriculum considering the age and experience of the children, reflecting all areas of development including physical, emotional, social, language and cognitive skills.
- Adapt the curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of the individual child’s strengths, needs and interests.
- Implement the Individual Family Service Plan or Individual Educational Plan for children with special needs.
- Use a variety of teaching strategies to encourage learning, following the individual child’s lead and preferred modality for learning.
- Facilitate each child’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning by engaging in collaborative inquiry with them.
- Foster interaction and cooperation among the children. Encourage children to lead their own small group activities.
- Facilitate a sense of responsibility and self-regulation in children, intervening only when necessary in settling disputes or differences.
- Establish partnerships with parents and families in order to achieve shared goals for children.
- Work collaboratively with the Director, colleagues and community organizations in best serving the child’s needs.
- Provide instruction and supervision for teaching assistants.
- Share information with colleagues which facilitates continuity of care throughout the child’s day.
- Work with teaching team to implement program curriculum, following policies, procedures and practices that result in positive outcomes for children and families.
- Participate in professional development opportunities by enrolling in higher education programs, conferences and trainings.
- Attend planning, informational and quality assurance meetings.
- Maintain strict confidentiality concerning children and families.
- Maintain required documentation and reporting on each child.
- Complete annual continuing educational requirements as specified by Office of Child Care Licensure.

**Requirements**:
**Education & Experience**:

- Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood or related field.
- Bachelor’s Degree in unrelated field plus 18 credit hours in early childhood education (may be completed within 18 months of hire); 6 months prior experience.
- Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood with an expectation of finishing BA within 2 years; 1 year classroom experience
- 45 College credit hours toward a degree in early childhood education with an expectation of finishing AA within 1 year and BA within 3 years; 2 years classroom experience.

**Regulatory**:

- Must pass a Criminal History Background Check prior to beginning employment.
- Clean criminal background check and the ability to obtain and maintain a level one clearance card.
- Valid, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license and the willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment. Must meet minimum requirements of agency insurance carrier.
- Be at least 21 years of age as required by corporate fleet policy
- Maintain current CPR, First, Aid, Article IX, Prevention & Supports certification, training

**Physical requirements**:

- Must be able to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face mask, gown, goggles and gloves, for any amount of time necessary to provide a physical barrier to protect the employee and others.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position.
- Must be able to operate a computer, phone and other office equipment.
- Must be able to stoop, squat, reach, stretch, ascend and descend stairs.
- May work in an office setting.

**Psychological Requirements**:

- Must be able to remain calm, non-defensive with a supportive attitude during stressful, potential crisis, and crisis situations.
- Must be able to work in an extremely stressful environment where there are considerable mental and emotional demands. Must be able to manage high volumes and unpredictability of work.
- Must be able to remain flexible and reprioritize according to the changing demands of the day.
- Must be able to manage stress in a fa