Assistant Teacher for Toddlers (Full-Time)

United Community's Early Learning Center

**United Community formerly operated as United Community Ministries and is still licensed under this name. You will see the Early Learning Center (ELC) referred to occasionally as UCM’s ELC. You will also see it referred to as the BEL Center, as it was the Bryant Early Learning Center when UC was known as UCM. Do not be confused by the various names for the ELC as they are all the same place.**

Full Job Description

SUMMARY

The Assistant Teacher for Toddlers supports the implementation of the curriculum as outlined by the Lead Teacher’s lesson plans and ELC policies.

The Assistant Teacher for Toddlers is located at the Early Learning Center and is responsible for the following tasks:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Understand and fulfill the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Care Centers (Department of Social Services, Commonwealth of Virginia), which requires signature of the employee.
  • Facilitate the development of the “whole” child, enhancing each child’s self-esteem and independence.
  • Treat each child with dignity and respect, recognizing and considering the individual needs of each child in relation to cultural and socioeconomic background, handicaps, special talents and interests, style and pace of learning; communicate effectively and appropriately with the age group assigned.
  • Provide a nurturing atmosphere for the children demonstrated by interacting on child’s eye level, sitting on the floor with children, providing appropriate physical contact for comforting and reassurance.
  • Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
  • Work interactively with children in all activity areas in classroom or outdoors as assigned; implement and support Developmentally Appropriate Practices, providing a stimulating environment for the children. ADDENDUM is attached for the assigned classroom age group with specific practices for the development of these children.
  • Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
  • Assist children in developing good personal hygiene, changing diapers, toilet training and washing of hands.
  • Maintains structure and assist in control of the classroom at all times including during episodes of children’s upsets and emergency situations.
  • Follow all procedures and requirements as noted by UCM policy & procedures and in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s licensing requirements to assure the safety of the children in your assigned environment, monitoring their safety at all times.
  • Implement limit setting for children according to the policies of the Center.
  • Protect confidential information of both the child(ren) and families associated with the ELC.
  • Prepare and maintain space and materials for classroom and outdoor activities.

CLASSROOM DUTIES

Establish positive relationships with parents/guardians/families by:

  • Greeting each person warmly during drop off and pick up, sharing both positive and negative events of the child’s day, by taking an interest in the family as a whole, and by responding to parent/guardian/family questions and concerns.
  • Maintaining confidentiality with information relating to parent(s)/guardian(s)/family and children, being careful what information is shared with other staff.
  • Encouraging family participation in classroom program, special activities, parent/guardian meetings and training.
Daily Requirements
  • Maintain classroom ratio of staff to children at all times and knowing when to call the Director of Child Care Services for additional staff support to maintain required levels of coverage.
  • Implement limit-setting in accordance with center’s discipline policy.
  • Provide interactive supervision on the playground.
  • Feed and supervise children during meals and eat with them as age level requires.
  • Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and snacks according to the planned menu; assist with clean up when necessary including high chairs, tables and floors.
  • Share with the classroom staff the responsibility of maintaining a clean room. Clean & Disinfect toys and equipment according to center standards.
  • Report problems, illness of a child or signs of child abuse promptly to the Director of Child Care Services, Assistant Director of child Care Services or the Child Development Specialist.
  • Adhere to UCM Personnel Policies and Procedures and help maintain the UCM “Statement of Philosophy” and the BEL Center Philosophy” as written in the Personnel Manual.
  • Assist the teacher in implementing the lesson plan, center program and supervision of children.
  • Coordinate materials for daily activities.
  • Supervise the classroom, according to the plans of the Teacher when the Teacher is out of the room.
  • Assistant Teachers are not to accept payment of fees from parents.
General Expectations
  • Establish positive relationships with parent(s), guardian(s) and families.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding children and their families.
  • Demonstrate a cooperative attitude towards work assignments with all age levels. All activities are planned on a continuum that will meet the developmental needs of the children. As a BEL Center employee it will be anticipated that you will work in the continuum where your skills are most appropriate.
  • Notify office personnel when materials/supplies are low.
  • Participate in training (minimum of 32 hours per year) without compensation.
  • Assume responsibility for a center-wide project/activity as assigned.
  • Attend parent meetings during the course of the year as requested without compensation.
  • Attend occasional evening and/or weekend meetings and training sessions without compensation.
  • Attend BEL Center staff meetings.
  • Notify Teacher of anticipated absences.
  • Adhere to UCM’s Personnel Policies and Procedures.
  • Attend quarterly staff meetings of the agency.
  • Maintain neat and clean appearance.
General Areas
  • Adherence to and support of UCM’s (and ELC philosophy if applicable). This includes a proven ability to exercise empathy and positive regard in providing services to clients.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with peers and supervisors.
  • Ability to maintain professional relationships with clients, children, families and other agency representatives.
  • Quality of work. This includes exercise of promptness, accuracy, and sound judgment, meeting required outcomes and the ability to perform all aspects of the job description.
  • This includes the desire determination and ability to provide comprehensive services to clients, children, and families.

EDUCATION and/or experience REQUIRED FOR ALL ASSISTANT TEACHER STEPS:

  • Able to communicate effectively in English with staff, families and children both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds. Good vision, hearing, mobility to work with children on the floor (up and down) with repetitive stretching and bending. Ability to walk up and down stairs, be outside for extended periods of time and ability to move children in cribs during emergencies. Ability to push a stroller for extended distances with multiple children in the stroller.
  • Preferably bilingual in Spanish.
  • Prior to first day of working with children, complete CPR and first aid training, or present proof of CPR training within past year and first aid training within past three years. Update CPR training annually and first aid every three years. Those working with infants must have infant CPR completed and maintained.
  • Must have a clear Virginia Central Registry check as dictated by the Code of Virginia 63.1-198.1. In addition, there must be a clear finding for other criminal offenses in the Virginia Criminal History record for not less than five years prior to date of service.
  • Prior to first day of working with children, receive a negative report of TB screening prior and maintain annual TB screenings with a negative report as a condition of employment.
  • Able to meet all requirements for Employment Eligibility Verification.
  • Agree to flexible working hours, not to exceed the required number of hours per pay period.
  • Agree to flexible classroom and duty assignment.
  • Demonstrate consistent pleasant disposition towards children, families and staff.

Step 1:

High School diploma; Actively working toward Child Development Associate Degree or actively participating in classes related to Early Childhood Education. One or more years of early childhood experience.

Step 2:

Child Development Associate Degree. Two or more years of early childhood experience.

Step 3:

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or similar degree program. One or more years of early childhood experience.

Other Duties

Such other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission and abide by our Organization’s Values.

Job Type and Benefits

  • Job Type: Full-time
  • Pay: up to $19.92 per hour, compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package.
  • Benefits:
    • Dental insurance
    • Health insurance
    • Paid time off
    • Vision insurance
  • Schedule: 8-hour shift
  • Education:
    • High school or equivalent (Preferred)
  • License/Certification:
    • CPR Certification (Preferred)
    • Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Statement

UCM provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UCM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. UCM expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper reference with the ability of UCM employees to perform job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

How to Apply

Candidates for the position of Assistant Teacher for Toddlers should submit the following: 

  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume

Submit documents to torria.baker@unitedcommunity.org and include Applicant for Assistant Teacher in the subject line.

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package.

Additional information about United Community is available at UnitedCommunity.org, while additional information about United Community’s Early Learning Center can be found at earlylearningctr.org.