Pre-K Counts PA Lead Teacher

Under the direction of the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the planning and implementation of classroom curriculum(s) provided by Discovery Place Preschools. This includes oversight of work performed by the Assistant Teacher, and any other staff in the room as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Carrying out daily operations of the program including:
  • Planning monthly activities and events including field trips.
  • Planning age-appropriate lesson activities that will enhance a child’s developmental goals.
  • Preparing goals and objectives for each child’s development.
  • Maintaining lesson plans that promote the philosophy of the center.
  • Arranging and organize and the classroom environments to encourage healthy development of the children.
  • Using the Curriculum materials to support observations, assessments, and lesson plans as it relates to the age group, activity and classroom.
• Supervising children at all times to maintain safety.
• Making referrals to the Director of any concerns regarding the child’s behavior, development or disabilities, plan with appropriate staff for provisions of special services and/or follow-up necessary for special needs.
• Evaluating each child’s performance and total development using appropriate assessments: such as observations, development tasks, profile to assure accurate, transitioning diagnosis, written reporting and parent conferences.
• Participating in staff training sessions and take advantage of external training opportunities to improve professional development skills and growth in the early childhood profession.
• Performing other related duties as required to maintain a certain professional level of quality learning including staff meetings and conferences.
• Promoting effective development of children including
  • Managing classroom in an understanding, consistent and positive manner.
  • Respecting individual child’s worth and dignity.
  • Encouraging creativity.
  • Promoting in children a positive attitude toward learning and self-image
  • Following Individual Developmental goal’s of each child
• Honoring and maintaining organizations’ policies and procedures of high standards of professional conduct
• Maintaining all licensing requirements (D.P.W., Philadelphia Health, License, and Inspection, Keystone Stars, etc.) to ensure an effective Early Learning Center.
• Ensuring that the center is safe and comfortable for the children and staff.
• Promoting the health and safety of the children and staff.
• Listening to all grievances and concerns of the children and parents.
• Implementing Discovery Place’s curriculum and standards.
• Continuing to learn, grow, and create a professional atmosphere in the center.
• Supporting and encourage Educational trips and opportunities for the children.
• Exercising good judgement for being aware of safe lifting and bending procedures.
• Implementing all early childhood education quality programs.
• Displaying awareness for reading all labels and following the specific directions in the handling of various hazardous materials, e.g. paint, glue, soap products, pool products, solvents, etc.
• Being open to new ideas and principles of the N.A.E.Y.C. code of ethical conduct.

Required Credentials:

The ideal candidate must have a C.D.A., A.A.S., B.S., or M.S. in Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.). The ideal candidate must also be able to multi-task and interact with both parents and children; efficiency in communication and writing skills are required. If not already obtained, the ideal candidate must be working towards an Associates or Bachelors degree in E.C.E. (certification and at least 2+ years of related E.C.E. experience is a plus). If hired, the ideal candidate must be able to meet deadlines, while following Keystone Stars standards and D.P.W. regulations.

Additional Requirements:

This position is subject to overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The ideal candidate must attend various events and trainings, as prepared and required by Discovery Place Preschools.

The ideal candidate must be voluntarily willing to take and pass a fully extensive criminal background check, which includes FBI, Criminal, & Child Abuse Clearances.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday Through Friday; extended hours may be necessary as needed to cover staffing during center hours.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Other Duties/Details:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Said duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

A.D. & E.E.O. Statement:

Youth Enrichment Programs is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Youth Enrichment Programs prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Equal Employment Opportunity (E.E.O.) and Anti-Discrimination (A.D.) policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Youth Enrichment Programs and its employees, including recruitment, employment, promotion, transference, training, working conditions, wage & salary administration, employee benefits, and application of policies.

Youth Enrichment Programs will be responsible for the dissemination of this policy. Directors, managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing equal employment practices within each department. The HR department is responsible for overall compliance and will maintain personnel records in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Violations of this policy, regardless of whether an actual law has been violated, will not be tolerated. Youth Enrichment Programs will promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate every issue that is brought to its attention in this area, and will take disciplinary action, when appropriate, up to and including termination of employment.