Qualifications and Education Requirements
Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential preferred.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood preferred
• At least one year of professional child daycare experience required.
• Special Education experience preferred.
• CPR/First Aid Certification required.
• Must pass Federal and State criminal background check with fingerprints.
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Ability to write and send professional emails in Microsoft Outlook.
• Experience in the use of Outlook Calendar, Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Good typing skills and ability to document and record daily client notes in software program.
• Excellent communication skills with parents, families, and coworkers.
• Ability to be patient and understanding when working with children and interacting with parents.
• Knowledge of childcare principles and procedures.
• Ability to relate to children and make the childcare facility an enjoyable atmosphere.
• Knowledge of early childhood teaching strategies.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Major Responsibilities and Duties
• Participates in the assessment of the EIDT child in his/her classroom using the proper assessment tool.
• Participates in the implementation of the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) to ensure the maximum treatment of the children served.
• Participates in the development of daily lesson plans.
• Ensures collection and entry of service data in a database.
• Know and comply with the Texas Minimum standards for Child-Care Centers
• Assists in maintaining classroom supplies.
• Maintains visual supervision of the children at all times.
• Ensures positive emotional climate for the children by showing respect to others through a willingness to help others, by maintaining harmonious interpersonal relations, and through use of appropriate and approved behavior management techniques under the guidance of the Early Childhood Division Director.
• Assists in maintaining an environment conducive to preventative discipline.
• Interacts with children in a positive manner.
• Fosters developmentally appropriate independence in children through planned but flexible program activities.
• Represents the program to parents, visitors, and the public in a positive way.
• Maintains a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary learning environment for children by working under the supervision of the Early Childhood Division Director to ensure that children are kept clean, clothing is changed when necessary, and toys and other materials are disinfected each day.
• Ensures that active involvement is maintained with children to promote gross and fine motor development during periods of physical activity.
• Immediately report any information regarding health and safety concerns.
• Ensures that no child is abused, neglected, or exploited while in the care of the center; and reports suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as specified in the Texas Family Code.
• Completes required annual training.
• Performs classroom cleaning, as needed.
• Performs duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with the five core values of Opportunities, Inc.-integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence (iCARE).
• Performs any other related duties as required or assigned.
Physical requirements
• Prolonged periods of standing and frequent bending.
• Must be able to lift up to fifty pounds at a time.
• Will be exposed to illness-causing bacteria and viruses.
