JOB TITLE: Child & Youth Services Preschool/Child Care Instructor
DEPARTMENT: Child & Youth Services
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Preschool/Child Care Manager or Child & Youth Services Assistant Director
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None
JOB STATUS: 2 Full-time, Non-Exempt
SCHEDULE: Monday–Friday (7:30am-4pm)

Positions: Preschool Childcare Instructor over 3yr classroom, Preschool Childcare Instructor Floater (used in all ages) classrooms

Summary:

Provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and instruction for preschool and child care participants in a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment. This position supports children’s cognitive, social-emotional, language, physical, and self-help development through structured activities, play, daily routines, and implementation of The Creative Curriculum.

Key Responsibilities:

· Greet children and parents upon arrival and departure and maintain positive, professional communication with families.

· Create and maintain a safe, orderly, nurturing, and stimulating classroom environment that meets all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements.

· Supervise assigned children at all times in the classroom, on the playground, during meals, and on field trips.

· Interact with children at their developmental level during indoor and outdoor activities, including floor play, group activities, and transitions.

· Use positive classroom-management techniques, including calm redirection, clear expectations, and developmentally appropriate guidance.

· Plan and implement daily classroom schedules, activities, and lesson plans using The Creative Curriculum.

· Lead group and individual activities that support cognitive, language, pre-writing, fine-motor, gross-motor, social-emotional, and self-help skill development.

· Balance teacher-directed and child-initiated activities while providing developmentally appropriate choices for children.

· Encourage positive nutrition, dental hygiene, health habits, and social skills during snacks and meals.

· Assist children with meals and model appropriate behavior; food may not be used as punishment or reward.

· Maintain classroom organization, including labeling materials, preparing learning areas, creating bulletin boards, and ensuring materials are ready for daily activities.

· Clean and sanitize classroom equipment and designated areas daily and assist with additional cleaning as assigned.

· Maintain the classroom, playground, supplies, and equipment; promptly report repair needs, safety concerns, and licensing violations to the supervisor.

· Maintain current classroom inventory and communicate supply and equipment needs to the supervisor.

· Work collaboratively with therapists to support implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals for children with special needs.

· Complete and maintain required daily documentation, including attendance, medication records, food-program records, incident and accident reports, and other center charting.

· Report suspected child abuse through appropriate channels in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.

· Participate in special events, staff meetings, trainings, and other assigned center activities.

· Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, the center, and Blue River Services, Inc.

· Follow all agency personnel policies, standard operating procedures, center rules, and applicable regulations.

· Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications & Skills:

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Must be actively enrolled in coursework toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.

· Previous experience working with children is helpful but not required.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team with shared responsibilities and outcomes.

· Ability to build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.

· Strong classroom-management, organization, and time-management skills.

· Ability to plan engaging, age-appropriate activities and respond to individual children’s needs.

· Must be at least 21 years old to be the staff person in charge of an infant/toddler group.

· Must be at least 18 years old to be the staff person in charge when all children in the group are at least 24 months of age.

Physical & Work Requirements:

· Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds or more.

· Ability to sit on the floor, use child-sized chairs, kneel, crawl, bend, twist, turn, and otherwise position yourself at a child’s eye level.

· Adequate vision and hearing to supervise children visually and auditorily in classrooms, on playgrounds, and during field trips.

· Ability to actively participate in indoor and outdoor play and safely respond to children’s needs throughout the day.

Blue River Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace.

 Education Requirements:

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Must be actively enrolled in coursework toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a higher degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.

· Must obtain a CDA certification or higher credential within one year of employment, or within the timeframe required by state regulations.