Early Childhood Educator II or III

Supervise and interact with children in a safe and compassionate manner
Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and programs
Perform a variety of care tasks, such as dressing, feeding, and facilitating sleep
Foster a positive and nurturing environment for children
Communicate with team members and parents in a proactive and positive manner

Cartwright and District Early Learning Centre
Early Childhood Educator II (Preschool Staff) – Job Description

Overview of Position
The person selected for this position will be responsible for the general supervision and management of preschool children between the ages of two and five. This includes preparing, directing and assessing the positive emotional, physical, social and cognitive development of children by implementing appropriate activities and programs according to each child’s individual developmental abilities, interests and needs.
Qualifications
The person selected for this position must hold an ECE II or ECE III certification. This person must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to both children and adults. The ECE II/III must be energetic, responsible, interested in introducing children to nature and have the desire to create beautiful and inspiring spaces in which children can explore, learn and grow.
Responsibilities
• Establishes and maintains a safe and healthy learning environment where the needs of children and families are met. This includes developing and implementing an organized, purposeful program which utilizes safe, creative, well balanced and stimulating activities and learning experiences which offer physical, social, emotional and sensory development.
• Gearing the program to the individual needs of children, with concern for their interests, challenges, special talents and individual learning styles and paces.
• Expanding on teachable moments throughout the day, as they arise, to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and interest in the world around them.
• To observe the interests of the children in their care, share these interests with co-workers, implement spontaneous and planned activities based on these revolving interests and displaying the children’s learning and creations in a manner that allows children to feel that their work is valued.
• Treating children with dignity and respect, offering positive guidance techniques, using appropriate language and interacting with the children at their level.
• Being responsible for the ordered arrangement, appearance, decor and learning environment of the childcare facility.
• Assuming an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the staff.
• Attending and participating in staff meetings.
• Participating in recommended training programs and professional development, conferences, courses and other aspects of professional growth.
• Acting as a positive liaison with the children’s parents and caregivers. Informs parents of their child’s experiences at the Centre, encouraging parents to keep the staff informed of specific events that may impact the child, encouraging parental involvement in the Centre.
• Assisting with children’s behaviour management, notifying the supervisor and director of behavioural concerns and assisting in the creation and implementation of a behavioural plan, if necessary.
• Assisting in the ongoing evaluation procedures needed to assess the developmental levels of children.
• Bringing to the attention of the director or supervisor, any equipment or materials that need to be fixed, replaced or purchased to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in our care.
• Assisting in public relations events sponsored by the centre.
• Attending and documenting 8 hours of professional development time each year.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism including confidentiality, ethical and professional behaviour, continuous personal and professional development and participation in child care organizations as appropriate.
• Taking responsibility to wash and rotate toys and equipment as following the Centre’s schedule.

Specific Planning and Prep Duties
This staff is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the preschool environment. This includes the rotation, cleaning and organization of preschool toys and equipment. This staff is responsible for the planning and set up of learning centres and room arrangement, ensuring the children’s developmental needs are met by the materials offered. You will be responsible for the planning and implementation for 1 specific group in the Preschool Program. Weekly planning time is provided.

Personal Qualities of Each Staff Member
You have been selected for your position because of special qualities, talents or skills that are needed to make up a well-balanced administrative, childcare and support staff. Relationships are circular, and what affects one affects all. Although specific responsibilities may vary according to your primary job description and your list of individual responsibilities, all staff persons are charged with total responsibility of working together in a united manner.

The goal is to achieve harmony, and mutuality throughout the centre, with respect, tolerance, patience, honesty, trust and friendship. We want you to be proud of your role in this centre. You are hereby charged with the responsibility of seeing to it that the reputation of this program as an outstanding childcare and educational environment for children and their families is enhanced and maintained.

Key Responsibilities and Qualities
1. Friendliness - Maintains a positive attitude towards others, acknowledges the presence of others with a greeting, and is alert to the moods and needs of others.
2. Honesty - Is truthful about hours, sick, and personal leaves, and other centre matters. Takes responsibility for own errors, is trustworthy and respects the property of others.
3. Voice Modulation - Refrains from the use of abusive, sarcastic, or uncontrolled tone of voice.
4. Punctuality - Arrives at work at the specified time and honors the time limits of relief and lunch periods, knowing that others are dependent on one’s promptness.
5. Dependability - Performs responsibilities as promised. Does not require consistent reminders. Uses working hours to do actual work for the centre, and seeking out tasks to be done, rather than using a lax period to take care of personal obligations.
6. Integrity - Cooperates in the maintenance of wholesome interpersonal relationships, free of gossip about co-workers or about child care centre families. If there are questions about the actions of a particular staff member, talks directly with that person, or discusses the manner in confidence with the executive director.
7. Positive Attitude - Refrains from complaining attitude. Brings complaints to the director or other supervising staff member.
8. Presentability - Is poised, well-mannered, neat, appropriately dressed, well groomed, and clean.
9. Patience - Maintains self-control in dealing with others.
10. Active and Energetic - Maintains an evident interest in job.

RELATIONSHIP WITH CHILDREN
1. Individualization - Demonstrates concern for the personal differences between individuals in relationship to their needs, interests, development and capabilities.
2. Knowledge - Plans age level developmentally appropriate activities. Keeps the program operating smoothly with a variety of activities.
3. Resourcefulness - Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in planning programs and use of materials.
4. Flexibility - Is able to work with both individuals and groups of children with equal skill.
5. Personal Manner - Bends to eye level frequently when talking with a child. Is able to help each child build self-esteem and healthy self-concept.
6. Professionalism – When talking to children, uses appropriate language and relates their behaviour to growth and development.
7. Discipline – uses non-punitive methods of discipline and offers guidance in a positive manner.
8. Responsibility – Assesses each child’s growth, development, and performance, recording dome observations for each child, taking special note of changes, and maintaining appropriate records as have been requested.
9. Relaxation – Uses stress-reduction techniques in helping children and adults to achieve an inner awareness and calmness.
10. Tolerance – Treats all children equally, with respect and empathy. Avoids prejudicial attitudes.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULTS, INCLUDING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
1. Friendliness – Maintains a friendly, yet professional relationship with parents, caregivers and coworkers.
2. Respect – Respects others’ rights to their individual points of view and ideas.
3. Integrity – Maintains confidentiality of information.
4. Tolerance – Treats all parents and caregivers equally, not showing favoritism, accepting of all their individual levels. Supports cultural differences in extending the curriculum.
5. Helpfulness – Works in a comfortable manner with child care assistants, and volunteers, and assistant child care providers, offering guidance in positive ways.

DEMONSTRATES CONCERN FOR AND AWARENESS OF THE TOTAL CHILD CARE CENTRE
1. Safety and health conscious – Gives primary considerations to the safety and health of children when planning the environment.
2. Knowledgeability – Prepares environments that are appropriate for the particular children involved both individually and cooperatively with one another. Is able to justify the presentation of a particular environment, material, or activity by explaining its relationship to the educational or personal growth of a child or children.
3. Orderliness – Keeps materials, supplies and equipment well organized to present an attractive, orderly, and inviting appearance to the room or any other area being used.
4. Carefulness – Respects the use and care of materials and equipment; is not wasteful.
5. Responsibility – assumes personal responsibility for small problems in the environment that others have neglected or have not been aware of.

DEMONSTRATES PROFESSIONALISM
1. Personal growth – Is committed to the idea of continued personal growth and professional growth as a childcare provider. Maintains a professional membership in the MCCA. Pursues personal or formal study, and/or reading in the field of child development and education.
2. Loyalty – Supports the philosophy of the centre and the executive director.
3. Realism – Is able to look at own behaviour as a possible cause of the problem when things do not go smoothly.
4. Confidentiality – Avoids malicious gossip as all times; respects confidentiality of oral, written and observed information.
5. Cooperation – Is committed to the concept of team spirit, recognizing the centre as one total group rather than a series of separate groups. Generously shares ideas, materials, time and services thereby helping other persons to perform their very best.
6. Responsibility – Is always ready to share the responsibilities with others, to assume others’ responsibilities in emergencies, and to put the needs of the centre as a while over petty differences of opinion.
7. Supportiveness – Is aware of the centre policies and supports them. Is not in agreement, knows that policies can be discussed with the executive director and at staff meetings and reserves those times for doing so rather than spreading discontent among coworkers.