Lead Infant-Toddler Teacher
New Yesterday
Full-time
Description
JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM
At ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children's Services), we honor young children's immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children's well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.
ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Long-term & short-term disability insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Generous paid time off
- Career development
- Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Lead Primary Caregiver is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children from birth to 3 years of age. This role includes planning and implementing individualized care routines and curriculum activities that support the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of young children. The teacher fosters trusting relationships with children and families, promoting open communication and collaboration.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Child Care & Supervision
- Provide attentive, responsive care that meets the individual needs of each infant and toddler.
- Always supervise children, ensuring safety and well-being in both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Maintain appropriate child-to-teacher ratios in accordance with licensing requirements.
Curriculum & Development
- Plan and implement a culturally sensitive educational program that is developmentally appropriate for each child's age and language.
- Encourage sensory exploration, language development, and motor skills through daily routines and play.
- Observe and document each child's growth, development, and behavior; use observations to tailor activities.
- Use Teaching Strategies Cloud to plan and create weekly digital lesson plans that promote the cognitive, language, literacy, social, emotional, and physical development of children.
- Follow the approved daily schedule to implement to fidelity the daily lesson plans from the approved curricula.
Health & Hygiene
- Follow all protocols for health checks, diapering, feeding, handwashing, and sanitation.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of classroom materials and infant/toddler areas.
- Administer medications and handle health-related needs in accordance with center policy and parental instructions.
- Ensure safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children and self.
Communication & Relationships
- Build strong, caring relationships with infants and toddlers through consistent interaction and positive reinforcement.
- Communicate daily with families about each child's activities, developmental progress, meals, and mood.
- Partner with parents on transitions, developmental goals, and strategies for home support.
Professionalism & Compliance
- Follow all center policies and procedures, including safety, emergency, and confidentiality guidelines.
- Maintain required documentation, including daily logs, incident reports, and assessments.
- Participate in staff meetings, required training, and professional development.
- All other duties as requested to maintain the success of the center and ECS4Kids.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
This position reports to the Center Director.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED and one of the following:
- Child Development Associate Credential - Infant & Toddler (CDA IT)
- Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC)
- Degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children. Renew every 2 years.
- Commence within ninety (90) days and complete within 12 months of employment, the
- DCF required 45-hour training.
- Complete on-line Food Handlers course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
- Current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
- Completion of 25 hours of in-service training each year, July 1 - June 30
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of child development principles, licensing regulations, and best practices in early education.
- Commitment to strengthen families but with ultimate commitment to the well-being of the child.
- Ability to exercise control and maintain appropriate classroom discipline.
- Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity.
- Ability to maintain confidential information.
- Knowledge of applicable safety and child abuse reporting procedures.
- Ability to work with children of varying ages, from infants to early preschoolers.
- Dependable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing needs throughout the day.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- Indoor and outdoor settings; active, fast-paced environment.
- Constant visual supervision of children and tolerance of loud noise.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
- Acceptable eyesight & hearing (with or without correction).
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
- Ability to sit, stand, push, pull and engage with young children at their level.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
(Reasonable accommodation will be provided for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)
Salary Description
$18.44 per hour
- Location:
- Starke
- Job Type:
- FullTime
