Preschool Teacher (3 months to 4 years old)

**Preschool Teacher Job description** PRIMARY PURPOSE Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Brave Christian Preschool, NAEYC, and California State Licensing. Incorporate Brave Christian School’s mission, culture, goals, values, philosophies, policies and development of an inclusive environment. Maintain positive relationships with families, children and colleagues. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by meeting physical demands of the position. MAJOR FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES Interaction Between Staff and Children Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child. Respect and observe children’s interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children’s play with language, toys and activities. Communicate directly with each child at the child’s level. Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children’s thinking and actions. Be available and responsive to children’s needs, questions, and requests. Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate. Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions. Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s behavior according to Bright Horizons’ Guidelines for Positive Discipline. Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms. CURRICULUM Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians. Design an environment that responds to children’s individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs and current interests by consulting appropriate resources. Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities which foster social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question, and experiment. Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices. Encourage creative expression. Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences which reflect both location and global communities. Plan a daily schedule which provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc. Plan and implement child-oriented, self-initiated activities while limiting large group, staff- initiated activities. Provide more than one option for group activity and maintain flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children’s interests. Create documentation of children’s accomplishments through anecdotal notes, documentation panels and/or portfolios. PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION Acknowledge families and all classroom visitors. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional demeanor. Respond to family comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Maintain confidentiality. Establish and maintain a primary caregiving relationship with individual children and their families, which includes initial meetings with families during orientation period. Invite input from families regarding their child’s development and care. Communicate verbally and in writing with families daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care. Plan and facilitate in regular family conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child based on appropriate assessment tools. Assist in planning and attend location/classroom events and meetings. Share resource…