Careers

Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher

Reports to: Center Director

Status: Full Time / Non-Exempt

Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for all of the children attending Open Arms Early Learning Childcare Center while staying in accordance with all licensing regulations, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Center/Daily Operations:

Supervise staff and assist in The planning and implementation of curriculum
Preparing snack for children following USDA guidelines and each child’s dietary limitations
Rest periods based on individual child needs and licensing rules
Redirecting or initiating other measures to control behavior following Open Arms ELCC policies, licensing rules, and redirection strategies
Changing diapers as needed following Open Arms ELCC policies and licensing rules
Potty training with children when appropriate due to child development principals
Helping dressing children when needed
Identifying signs of emotional or developmental problems in children per child developmental principals
Keeping daily sheets for each child up to date and organized
Communicating with parents daily using the 9 different communication methods Open Arms ELCC provides
Observing and monitoring children’s play activities
Organizing and participating in recreational activities
Sanitizing toys per Open Arms ELCC and licensing policies and organize and store toys in appropriate activity areas
Supporting children’s emotional and social development needs per child development principals
Setting up conferences with parents every three months
Arrive to the center on time for your scheduled shift to keep mandated ratios in classrooms correctly
Communicate daily with all teachers in your classroom using the daily communication notebook
Know the specifics about each child in the classroom you are working in
Ensure proper hand washing procedures are followed in the classroom you are working in
Stay within ratio of the classroom 100% of the time
Adhere to the classroom schedule
Overall supervision of all teachers in your classroom
Follow and adhere to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Rule 407 at all times

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood OR a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; Elementary or Early Childhood.

Section 407.140 Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers:

a) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall be at least 19 years of age.

b) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED).

c) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 407.100, the early childhood teacher responsible for a group of children that includes infants, toddler or pre-school age children shall have achieved:

Sixty semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; OR
One year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; OR
Completion of credentialing programs approved by the Department in accordance with Appendix G of this Part.
d) School-age workers shall be at least 19 years of age and at least five years older than the oldest child with whom they work.

e) In addition to meeting the requirements of Section 407.100, the newly employed school-age worker responsible for a group of school-age children shall have achieved:

Thirty semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university with six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) related to school-age child care, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping or other related fields; OR
1560 clock hours of experience in a recreational program or licensed day care center serving school-age children or a license exempt school-age child care program operated by a public or private school, and six semester hours (or nine quarter hours) of credit from an accredited college or university related to school-age child care, child development, elementary education, physical education, recreation, camping or other related fields; OR
A high school diploma or equivalency certificate plus 3120 clock hours of experience in a recreational program, kindergarten, or licensed day care center serving school-age children or a license exempt school-age child care program operated by a public or private school.
f) Completion of a training program accredited by the American Montessori Society or Association Montessori International may be substituted for the courses directly related to child care and/or child development required by this Section. Persons holding a Montessori pre-primary credential may supervise children through age six. Persons holding a Montessori primary or elementary credential may supervise children six years of age or older.

g) Persons who were deemed qualified as a child care worker or school-age worker prior to January 1, 1985, continue to be deemed qualified as an early childhood teacher or school-age worker.

h) Early childhood teachers and school-age workers shall be responsible for the planning and supervision of a group of children. Early childhood workers and school-age workers shall also be responsible for supervising persons assigned to assist their group who are not similarly qualified.

(Source: Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 3011, effective February 15, 2004)

LICENSING STANDARDS FOR DAY CARE CENTERS September 22, 2014 – P.T. 2014.17

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

Degree and/or certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Development from a nationally or State Accredited Institution;
Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Programs, Internet, and Email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift 40 pounds regularly
Must be able to sit down on floor to play with children
Must be able to stand for long periods of time
Must be able to attend work as required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

As a Lead Teacher you will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe environment to all children at all times.

Our teachers create and structure their classroom experience and have the ability to manage their schedules with flexibility. To ensure that children receive the premier classroom experience, teachers are provided with a biweekly budget to purchase supplies.

All of our employees have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. We offer staff training and development opportunities throughout the year to help further each employee’s education and personal growth as well as enhance the classroom experience.

Assistant Teacher

Assistant Teacher

Reports to: Lead Teacher

Status: Full Time / Non-Exempt

Summary

The Assistant Teacher is responsible to assist the Lead Teacher while providing a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for all of the children attending Open Arms Early Learning Childcare Center while staying in accordance with all licensing regulations, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Center/Daily Operations:

Assist lead teacher with planning and implementing curriculum per Open Arms ELCC guidelines and licensing rules;
Assist in preparing snack for children following USDA guidelines and each child’s dietary limitations;
Regulate and implement rest periods based on individual child needs and licensing rules;
Redirect or initiate other measures to control behavior following Open Arms ELCC policies, licensing rules, and redirection strategies;
Change diapers as needed following Open Arms ELCC policies and licensing rules;
Assist children in potty training when appropriate due to child development principals;
Help dressing children when needed;
Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children per child developmental principals;
Keep daily sheets for each child up to date and organized;
Communicate with parents daily using the 9 different communication methods Open Arms ELCC provides;
Observe and monitor children’s play activities;
Organize and participate in recreational activities;
Sanitize toys per Open Arms ELCC and licensing policies and organize and store toys in appropriate activity areas;
Support children’s emotional and social development per child development principals;
Set up conferences with parents every three months;
Arrive to the center on time for your scheduled shift to keep mandated ratios in classrooms correctly;
Communicate daily with all teachers in your classroom using the daily communication notebook;
Know the specifics about each child in the classroom you are working in;
Ensure proper hand washing procedures are followed in the classroom you are working in;;
Stay within ratio of the classroom 100% of the time;
Know and adhere to the classroom schedule;

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift 40 pounds regularly;
Must be able to sit down on floor to play with children;
Must be able to stand for long periods of time;
Must be able to attend work as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

As an Assistant Teacher you will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe environment to all children at all times.

Our teachers create and structure their classroom experience and have the ability to manage their schedules with flexibility. To ensure that children receive the premier classroom experience, teachers are provided with a biweekly budget to purchase supplies.

All of our employees have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. We offer staff training and development opportunities throughout the year to help further each employee’s education and personal growth as well as enhance the classroom experience.

Part-Time Teacher

Part-Time Teacher

Reports to: Center Director

Status: Part Time / Non-Exempt

Summary

The Opener/Closer is responsible to provide a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for all of the children attending Open Arms Early Learning Childcare Center while staying in accordance with all licensing regulations, policies, and procedures. The Opener/Closer is also responsible for following the provided checklists so the center is prepped appropriately to start/end each day.

Breaker: Assisting each classroom while teachers are on their lunch break.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Center/Daily Operations:

Assist lead teacher with planning and implementing curriculum per Open Arms ELCC guidelines and licensing rules
Assist in preparing snack for children following USDA guidelines and each child’s dietary limitations
Redirect or initiate other measures to control behavior following Open Arms ELCC policies, licensing rules, and redirection strategies
Change diapers as needed following Open Arms ELCC policies and licensing rules
Assist children in potty training when appropriate due to child development principals
Help dressing children when needed
Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children per child developmental principals
Keep daily sheets for each child up to date and organized
Communicate with parents daily using the 9 different communication methods Open Arms ELCC provides
Observe and monitor children’s play activities
Organize and participate in recreational activities
Sanitize toys per Open Arms ELCC and licensing policies and organize and store toys in appropriate activity areas
Support children’s emotional and social development per child development principals
Use opening/closing checklists to ensure the center is ready to open and close on time
Arrive to the center on time for your scheduled shift to keep mandated ratios in classrooms correctly
Communicate daily with all teachers in your classroom using the daily communication notebook
Know the specifics about each child in the classroom you are working in
Ensure proper hand washing procedures are followed in the classroom you are working in
Stay within ratio of the classroom 100% of the time
Know and adhere to the classroom schedule

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift 40 pounds regularly
Must be able to sit down on floor to play with children
Must be able to stand for long periods of time
Must be able to attend work as required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

You will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe environment to all children at all times.

Our teachers create and structure their classroom experience and can manage their schedules with flexibility. To ensure that children receive the premier classroom experience, teachers are provided with a biweekly budget to purchase supplies.

All our employees have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. We offer staff training and development opportunities throughout the year to help further each employee’s education and personal growth as well as enhance the classroom experience.

Food & Nutrition Specialist

Food and Nutrition Specialist

Reports to: Center Director

Status: Part Time / Non-Exempt

Summary

The Food and Nutrition Specialist is responsible for providing wholesome meals and snacks that meet Open Arms Early Learning Childcare Center guidelines as well as the guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Center/Daily Operations:

Identifying needs and ordering supplies.
Following USDA guidelines; portion sizes, number of children in each classroom to be served, staying within budget
Plan monthly menu according to the number of children currently enrolled in the center
Prepare meals following Open Arms ELCC recipes and monthly menus
Awareness of food allergies for children in each classroom
Research recipes, understanding healthy ingredients, nutritional value, allergens, etc
Maintain cleanliness of kitchen and all supplies while following USDA guidelines (sanitation, safety, licensing, etc.);
Inventory of supplies and equipment
Identify additional equipment needed at centers based on changing needs; compare prices, prepare, ad submit proposal
Follow dishwashing procedures per licensing guidelines and Open Arms ELCC standards using a commercial dishwasher
Assist in classrooms as needed to stay within ratios/licensing guidelines and Open Arms ELCC standards
Support children’s emotional and social development while assisting in the classrooms
Maintain continued education, upgrade training, and overall knowledge of what is available for training
Follow and maintain guidance at all times in accordance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Rule 407; Section 407.330 Nutrition and Meal Service

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

At least 19 years of age, Serve Safe Certificate, and Kitchen Managers License;
Food service shall be under the management of a State-certified food service manager as required by the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act [410 ILCS 625].

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

Experience cooking for large groups

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift 40 pounds regularly
Must be able to sit down on floor to play with children
Must be able to stand for long periods of time
Must be able to attend work as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

As the Center Food and Nutrition Specialist you will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There can be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and you will have to supervise and provide a safe environment to all children at all times.

Our teachers create and structure their classroom experience and have the ability to manage their schedules with flexibility. To ensure that children receive the premier classroom experience, teachers are provided with a biweekly budget to purchase supplies.

All of our employees have the potential to grow and advance with us as we expand as a company. We offer staff training and development opportunities throughout the year to help further each employee’s education and personal growth as well as enhance the classroom experience.