Child Life Specialist jobs in Bridgeport, CT

Job Title : Preschool Teacher

Department : Child Care Center

Summary : (Summarize primary purpose of job function.) The Preschool Teacher is a member of the teaching team who is responsible for the care and education of an assigned group of children;

planning and implementing the curriculum, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment for children.

Reports To : Director, Child Care

Titles Supervised : Child Care Assistant

Essential Responsibilities : To take care of the children in The Child Care Center.

To establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

• Designs appropriate room arrangement to support the goals of the classroom which is to keep it clean, safe, and stimulating and which is appropriate for each child's developmental level.
• Meets and maintains licensing requirements for ratio.
• Maintains a safe and orderly learning environment through posting necessary information as appropriate.
• Assures the safety, hygiene, and well-being of children in an assigned group.
• Follows the State Licensing policies and procedures for sanitizing and disinfecting toys and surfaces.
• Uses proper hand washing, diaper changing and toileting procedures.

To advance physical and intellectual competence

• Provides an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children and a balance between child-initiated and teacher-directed activities.
• Involves children in planning and implementing learning activities.
• Plans and implements experiences that promote language and literacy development, the acquisition of number concepts, art, music and science concepts.
• Plans and helps to coordinate inter-generational programs.

To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.

• Plans and implements hands-on activities that develop positive self-esteem and social skills.
• Plans and implements culturally diverse and non-sexist experiences.
• Uses and promotes positive guidance techniques.
• Provides a wide variety of creative and expressive activities.
• Manages the classroom through positive redirection, problem solving, setting appropriate limits and active listening.
• Establishes routines with smooth transition periods.
• Communicates with children at their developmental level and encourages children to be independent.

To establish positive and productive relationships with families

• Considers the individual family and child in relationship to his / her culture and socio-economic background.
• Promotes communication with parents through weekly progress notes, and semi-annual parent conferences.
• Encourages parents to participate in the program by offering them a variety of ways to volunteer.

To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs

• Maintains daily attendance records; daily schedules posted in the room; written plans on a weekly basis ; as well as documentation and observations of individual progress through anecdotal notes, developmental checklists, assessments and other designed screenings.
• Assesses program supplies and materials needed prior to implementing activities.
• Coordinates and helps supervise assistants and volunteers working in the classroom.
• Assesses children's needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis and uses the results of assessments to plan activities.

To maintain a commitment to professionalism

• Is guided by the Core Values of Mozaic Senior Life
• Treats each child, parent, family member and co-worker with dignity and respect.
• Promotes The MSL Child Care Center's mission and vision, philosophy and educational objectives.
• Completes required paperwork in a timely fashion, hands in weekly lesson plans to Director, completes conference and progress reports in a timely fashion.
• Keeps open communication with the Director and other teachers at all times.
• Maintains professional attitude, appearance, and loyalty to the program at all times.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding staff, families, and children at all times.
• Upon hire, each employee must begin training to meet state requirements.
• Engages in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills.
• Supports the professional growth and development of colleagues by sharing materials and information and providing helpful feedback and encouragement.
• Attends staff meetings, workshops and in-service training provided by the Child Care Center and MSL
• Attends and prepares for Open House Night.
• Is prompt, reliable, and flexible and adheres to schedules.
• Demonstrates a desire to grow and be open to new ideas or suggestions and constructive feedback.
• Has comprehensive working knowledge of the MSL Employee Handbook, The State of Connecticut Rules and Regulations for Child Care Centers, The MSL Parent's Handbook, and any policies and procedures specific to The MSL Child Care Center.

Any other tasks as needed by the Department

Minimum Qualifications :

Education : Associate or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Family Studies and Human Development with an Early Childhood Concentration;

or Elementary Education, including or supplemented by 12 semester hours of credit in child development or early childhood education.

Certificates needed : Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.

Experience : 1-2 years in the early childhood field or a closely related field.

Licensure : A valid work permit, which must be proven with necessary documentation as specified on an I-9 form.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities : Must have a warm, friendly personality, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others and be able to relate well to children.

• Must be able to recognize child abuse and neglect; have professional level knowledge of educational theory, child development and teaching skills;
• be flexible in receiving assignments or adapting to changes in the program; willing to accept supervision in order to improve work performance;

willing to provide exceptional customer service and perform other duties as required. Must have knowledge of developing lesson plans and have the ability to handle multiple demands and meet deadlines.

Must be able to read and communicate effectively.

Physical and Mental Demands : This description of responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

Last updated : 2024-03-27