Job Abstract

Plans and implements daily experiences and curriculum for children, from ages six weeks to five years, who are enrolled in the Employees' Child Care Center. Develops lesson plans and writes individualized educational plans for each child. Records notes and anecdotal data, assesses children and maintains children's files. Ensures the health, safety and development of children in the classroom. Implements Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) licensing guidelines, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards. Ensures that program activities conform to the Creative Curriculum for all children. Communicates with parents through daily interactions and scheduled parent conferences. Serves as supervisor to Day Care Center Teacher I positions. Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Program Administrator.

• Oversees program plans of subordinates;
• Supervises the work of Day Care Center Teacher I’s, Aides, substitutes and volunteers;
• Provides care and protection for the children, helping them learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations and to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating and dressing;
• From daily observation, notes the physical condition of each child, reports conditions needing attention, and administers first aid treatment when needed;
• Maintains progress records on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children;
• Holds regular individual parent-teacher conferences and participates in parent group meetings and activities;
• Through individual conferences, supervises assistant teachers and aides in daily contact with children;
• Maintains attractive, healthful surroundings and assures that equipment and materials are kept accessible to the children and in good condition;
• Attends and participates in conferences and workshops related to group day care and other pertinent fields;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Considerable knowledge of individual behavior and the growth and development of children, and the impact of group relationships;
• Knowledge of health, safety and first aid methods;
• Knowledge of the factors which cause problems in children;
• Ability to establish warm and supportive relationships with children, on a group and individual basis, gaining confidence and trust and imparting a sense of security;
• Ability to assume administrative responsibility for the assigned center's overall health and safety program;
• Ability to provide a wide variety of stimulating experiences for children to meet individual intellectual and emotional needs;
• Ability to recognize problems of both a physical and psychological nature as exhibited by children;
• Ability to organize and plan the activities of subordinate day care personnel;
• Ability to develop and maintain a working relationship with parents and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a child-related field such as, but not limited to early childhood or elementary education, nursing, recreation, or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Course work in early childhood education or a related field.
• Experience teaching infants, toddlers and preschool children.
• Knowledge and experience working with children with special needs.
• Experience or credentials in Teaching Strategies, Virginia Licensing Guidelines, NAEYC Accreditation, CLASS, Early Head Start or Head Start.
• Supervisory experience.