In accordance with the organizational chart and overall plan of Vance-Granville Community College, the Child Care Specialist reports to the Child Care Manager and is responsible for the daily care and teaching activities of the children assigned to him/her. 

The following listing of essential job duties indicates the general nature and level of work required in this job.  This is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required in this job.  Individuals assigned to this job may be asked to perform other duties as required.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

Essential Duties:

• Interact with children frequently, affectionately, and respectfully at their level in all settings. Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally appropriate. 
• Use positive guidance techniques when responding to children’s behavior
• Engage with the children in their play, and be a positive role model for ways to handle emotions.
• Communicate with parents in a positive manner. Communicate a child’s concerns in a developmentally appropriate way.  Talk with the director about developmental concerns before speaking with the parents.   
• Generate and execute preschool curricula which promote the development of the child’s physical, cognitive, and social skills.
• Develop weekly lesson plans that are current and available to parents as well as other staff members.  These plans are submitted to the Center Manager for her review each Friday by noon (for the following week’s activities).
• Supervise practicum students and assist in evaluating their progress.
• Administrate achievement instruments on children.
• Maintain files on each child including achievement profiles, teacher observations, examples of classroom work and attendance and medication records.
• Arrange and decorate the classroom in a pleasing and developmentally appropriate manner.  
• Maintain classroom equipment and supplies; keep the classroom clean and sanitary. Perform light housekeeping chores as needed, such as sweeping floors, vacuuming rugs, cleaning and disinfecting tables, countertops, and other equipment.
• Utilize appropriate discipline techniques, and responsible for communicating with parents any problems or concerns.
• Schedule conferences with parents to advise them of their child’s progress (normally done twice per year).
• Participate in professional development workshops, seminars, and meetings to keep updated on education theories and practices.  Comply with the State Day Care Office’s minimum requirements for ongoing staff training.
• Plan and participate in any annual “special” programs or activities the Center might plan, i.e., Christmas Program, Graduation Exercises, Art Show, Halloween Carnival, etc.
• Notify the Center Manager of any equipment and/or maintenance needs.
• Perform emergency duties as needed, such as cooking, cleaning, providing transportation, substituting in other classrooms, filling in on other shifts, etc;.
• Participate in routine staff meetings.
• Participate in Center planning.
• Perform related duties as required by Center Manager.
• Keep children within limits of sight and sound supervision at all times.
• Develop positive relationships with colleagues through professional and respectful communication and collaboration. Proactively work to resolve issues and concerns. Assume a fair share of responsibility in the classroom.
• The Division, or the director of the child care center, may request an evaluation of a staff member's emotional and physical fitness to care for children when there is reason to believe that there has been deterioration in the staff member's emotional or physical fitness to care for children. This request may be based upon factors such as observations by the director or center staff, reports of concern from family, reports from law enforcement, or reports from medical personnel.

Physical Demands:

• This individual must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must provide a signed health statement and T.B. test results at the time of employment
• Each employee, including the director, shall also annually submit a medical statement from a licensed physician or authorized health professional as defined in(a) of this Rule, or must complete a health questionnaire giving information about the status of his/her health on a form provided by the Division.
• The Division, or the director of the child care center, may request another evaluation of an employee's emotional and physical fitness to care for children when there is reason to believe that there has been deterioration in the person's emotional or physical fitness to care for children.
• Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and pick up children for diaper changing or emergency purposes.
• Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements. Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.
• Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds