PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing the daily program of activities for a group of children in the Regional Center for the Advancement of Children and to follow Child Care Standards to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children in their care.

The Regional Center for the Advancement of Children was grant awarded by Dogwood Health Trust funding to expand high-quality early care and college level educational opportunities for Early Childhood teachers in Haywood County.

Through this grant funding a select number of Full-Time teachers will receive training and credentialing, including Early Childhood Associate Degree coursework at no cost or contract to the employee.

The Regional Center for the Advancement of Children is a 5 star rated state-of-the-art child care facility operated by Haywood Community College serving children ages 6 weeks – 60 months.  

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Responsibilities include:

• To establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment
• Designs appropriate room arrangement to support the goals of the classroom
• Plans and implements nutritious meal
• Promotes healthy eating habits
• Maintains a safe environment
• Posts necessary information to ensure the safety and well-being of the children
• Maintains an orderly learning environment

To advance physical and intellectual competence

• Provides a balance between child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities
• Provides a balance between quiet and active learning experiences
• Uses equipment for inside and outside play to promote physical development
• Involves children in planning and implementing learning activities
• Provides an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of each child
• Provides experiences that promotes language, literacy, and number development

To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance

• Implements hands-on activities that develop positive self-worth and social skills
• Implements culturally diverse experiences
• Uses and promotes positive guidance techniques
• Provides a wide variety of creative and expressive activities
• Establishes routines with smooth transition periods
• Communicates with children at their developmental level
• Encourages children to be independent

To establish positive and productive relationships with families

• Promotes open communication with parents through weekly progress notes, monthly newsletter, or semi-annual parent conferences
• Provides a variety of ways that families can participate in the program
• Encourages parents to participate in the program

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

• Assesses program supplies and materials needed prior to implementing activities
• Supervise assistants, aides, and volunteers working in the classroom
• Maintains written plans in a weekly/monthly basis
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• Assesses children's needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis
• Uses the results of assessment to plan activities
• Accurately maintains classroom budget

To maintain a commitment to professionalism

• Promotes the center's mission and educational objectives
• Supports the center's code of core values
• Engages in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills
• Supports the professional growth and colleagues by sharing materials and provides feedback with encouragement
• Attends staff meetings, workshops, and in-service training as required

Supports and encourages college-sponsored activities