Classification Specifications

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE TEACHER provides a child development program for children in a preschool and/or extended day-care center or other child development facility. The Instructor provides a program that promotes physical and intellectual growth of children and offers opportunities for practicum, research, and observation experience for students and faculty. Some positions in this class may supervise but are not statutorily excluded from collective bargaining.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees in this class have on-site responsibility for the daily routines of a geographically separate facility or are responsible for a classroom or activity area within a larger facility.

1. Planning and Program. Typical tasks: reviews resource materials; meets with co-instructor and plans experiences to enhance language, motor, social and cognitive development through specific activity areas (e.g., art, music, stories, walks, games, play stations); writes daily/weekly lesson plans that meet individual and group goals and needs (e.g., emphasizes social skills of sharing, taking turns); arranges for special visitors and field trips to enhance play, recreation, and learning (e.g., fire engine comes to center, retired persons visit center); participates with and guides child in developmental activities and experiences; settles disputes and conflicts among children; sets routines and procedures (e.g., cleanup routines, nap and health procedures).
2. Personnel Coordination. Typical tasks: guides and directs classroom personnel (e.g., student workers, practicum students, teaching assistants, researchers and volunteers) and integrates them into the planned activities; communicates goals, objectives, limits and daily routine to classroom personnel; serves as a role model, showing by example the appropriate skills and techniques used with young children; trains work study students and teaching assistants for classroom and activity help.
3. Records and Reports. Typical tasks: assesses, through observation, the social skill level and motor development of child in order to plan activities and experiences suitable for individual growth; maintains communications with parents through daily contact, newsletters, and conferences; maintains child's records (e.g., notes on progress and growth, goals, informational and authorization forms, emergency medical forms); writes evaluation reports or completes forms on practicum students as requested.
4. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: observes area for safety; maintains a safe, clean environment; reports needed facility and equipment repairs; restocks supplies; attends staff meetings, planning sessions, and professional conferences.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have regular daily contact with children to provide developmental learning experiences, recreation and care, and regular contact with parents of children when parents deliver and pickup children and during conferences to discuss the growth and progress of the child and the goals and activities of the center. They have regular contact with assistants, to direct and assist them in working with young children. There is occasional contact with practicum students and volunteers to guide and direct them in working with young children.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from a child care coordinator or director of child care services. Employees in this class work independently and are responsible for planning and implementing a developmental child care curriculum. Work is reviewed through observation and discussion for conformance to agency policies and procedures and to center philosophy. Staff and planning meetings afford opportunities for discussion of long range and developmental child care goals. Records and lesson plans are periodically reviewed to ensure that child care and developmental goals are being met. State and Federal laws and regulations relating to child care providers and agency and child care center policies and procedures serve as guidelines to employees in this class.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• an Associate?s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development from a recognized program; OR
• a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR
• a minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; AND one year of experience in a certified day care center or comparable group care program; OR
• two years of experience, including at least one year as a teacher, in a certified day care center or comparable group child care program.