Lead Teacher Chums Plaza

Purpose:
To promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and families.

Position Objectives:

• Comply with and utilize the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, State of Michigan Child Care Center Licensing Rules, the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten, GSRP Implementation Manual (GSRP funded), Great Start to Quality, Program Procedure Manual Guidance, 5 Year Grant, USDA/CACFP/MDE Requirements, and NMCAA Personnel Polices.
• Act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.
• Ensure facilities are conducive to the welfare of children.
• Responsible for the general management of the center.
• Oversee staff and ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate program and center policies.
• Administer day-to-day operations, including being available to address parent, child, and staff issues.
• Oversee child assessment and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the classroom program.
• Provide remote services when necessary, to support children and families in a home environment.
• Lead and/or team with the Family Engagement Specialist to facilitate family engagement activities.
• Monitor staff and conduct employee performance reviews for each staff member.

• Consider opportunities to participate in setting program goals and committing to making progress on an ongoing basis.

Essential Functions:

Eligibility Recruitment Selection Enrollment & Attendance

• Team with HS Recruitment and Health Specialist to recruit and select eligible children ensuring full enrollment.
• Monitor daily attendance. Contact families when child attendance is below 85%. If needed, create an Attendance Success Plan for families needing more support.
• Provide orientation for each newly enrolled child.

Education and Child Development

• Provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment using the Creative Curriculum, School Readiness Goals, Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), and Preschool Quality Assessment (PQA).
• Conduct child developmental screenings within 45 days of enrollment and GOLD assessments 3 times a year.
• Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect behavior using Conscious Discipline guidelines.
• Utilize the Classroom Support Plan to identify a course of support for challenging behaviors.
• Use data and child outcomes from Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment reports. Teaching team and parent input are to be used for weekly lesson plans, IEPs, and individual and group planning.
• Observe children and enter online objective anecdotal notes based off of the GOLD developmental expectations.
• Must adhere to the NMCAA Early Childhood Guidance Policy and NMCAA Child Development Programs Code of Conduct.
• Supervise and mentor classroom staff to develop their professional skills.
• Prepare and distribute monthly newsletters that include center news/events, how to access current NMCAA job openings, and information on child development with a focus on family literacy. Attach a calendar that lists family engagement opportunities.
• Assist with NMCAA substitute responsibilities.

Education:

• Have at least an associate or bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education.
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with a ZA or ZS endorsement or a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development with specialization in preschool teaching.

Additional Qualifications Required:

• Two semester hours or 3.0 CEUs in childcare administration or an administrative credential approved by Licensing.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Pass a comprehensive background check.
• Ability to meet the State of Michigan and federal health requirements (medical clearance, mental wellness, and TB examination).
• Be suitable to meet the needs of children.

Obtain the Family Service Credential within 18 months of hire, dependent upon site location.