PRESCHOOL LEAD TEACHER – CHILD CARE

Job Summary

This position oversees the day-to-day operation of an early childhood multi-age classroom. Prepares age appropriate lessons and activities in compliance with accreditation and assessments. Positively demonstrates an interest in, concern for, and relates well to young children and their families. Acts as a Mentor/Evaluator for Hawkeye Community College Early Childhood Education students. Uses professional judgment independently and in collaboration with the Child Care Coordinator to maintain compliance with DHS regulations, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation, Iowa QRS, Shared Visions Preschool and Head Start Standards as well as providing a high-quality preschool/child care program.

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Models best practices in the classroom and demonstrates professionalism in the Child Development Center.
• Creates and maintains an enthusiastic, respectful, and positive work environment for children, staff, students, families, and faculty.
• Analyzes and resolves any problems that may arise with parents, staff, students or children and reports to Assistant Coordinator.
• Prepares monthly newsletters to parents.
• Creates and prepares daily reports for each child (preschool children).
• Prepares and conducts parent/teacher conferences and meetings with specialists when necessary.
• Supervises work study staff and assigns daily jobs and responsibilities within the classroom and the Center.
• Works closely with Early Childhood Education Program faculty to supervise, mentor, and evaluate Early Childhood Education student performance, requirements, and expectations.
• Teaches in an early childhood education classroom.
• Responsible for an organized and clean classroom.
• Works in conjunction with the Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator designing a curriculum that supports center philosophy and meets children’s needs to maintain a high quality early education program.
• Prepares lessons and activities to meet each child’s development level.
• Responsible for observations/documentations/assessments of each child with an awareness of the child’s physical health, social/emotional and cognitive/development state.
• Works in collaboration with Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator in meeting QRS, NAEYC, Shared Visions Preschool and Head Start criteria and standards.
• Maintains and updates NAEYC classroom portfolio.
• Prepares food for scheduled meals and curricular activities and maintains record keeping on Child and Adult Care Food Program forms.
• Works in collaboration with the Coordinator in overseeing the maintenance of the safety and cleanliness of the classroom.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Must hold or have the ability to promptly obtain CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse, and Universal Precaution certificates within the first 3 months of employment.
• Ability to pass FBI criminal history check, Department of Human Services (DHS), and Child Abuse Registry record check.
• Demonstrated ability to lift 30-50 pounds from floor to a waist high table 10-15 times daily.
• Demonstrated knowledge of day care licensing and early childhood education development requirements.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills to positively interact with students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service, maintain customer confidence and protect operational integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through inclusive behaviors and helping contribute to a culture of inclusivity, and a vibrant, diverse, equitable and inclusive learning and working environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge and experience with young children ranging in ages from infants to five years old.
• Knowledge of Quality Rating System (QRS) criteria, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation, Shared Visions Preschool and Head Start Standards.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum philosophy and techniques.

Employment Status

Full time position with comprehensive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; personal and sick leave; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution). Salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s education and experience.

Working Conditions 

Requires skills for succeeding in a classroom environment, using technology.  Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Work is performed in a classroom setting.  Sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours.  During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computer.

Application Procedure

• Complete online application at hawkeyecollege.edu/employment including a resume, 3 references with a minimum of 1 being a past/current supervisor and a cover letter.
• Submit online application and all required materials by the deadline.

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. 

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.