About the Position: As an Early Childhood Teacher in one of our Child & Family Centers, you will assist in planning and implementing curriculum and activities for the children that is developmentally appropriate. Maintaining a safe, clean, and orderly environment is also key and will contribute to the children's growth (emotional, social and cognitive), where play and learning happens every day. You'll monitor the children's behavior and development, utilizing developmental profiles, and in turn evaluate activities based on the needs of the children. Also, if you are interested in helping others start their career in child care you can by assisting with orientation and supervision of our practicum students and volunteers in the center. And of course cultivate positive relationships with parents and answer questions when needed. About the Child & Family Center: The Child & Family Center offers quality early childhood education and care for the children of Vanderbilt Faculty, staff, and students. The program serves children age infants (6 weeks) to five years old. The Centers are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. For more information about VU's Child & Family Centers Click Here http://www.vanderbilt.edu/child-family-center/child-care-center/ About Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt is a renowned private institution founded in 1873 located a little more than a mile from downtown Nashville, TN. The university's students, faculty, staff and visitors frequently cite Nashville as one of the perks of Vanderbilt. VU is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt was recently ranked #1 in the Princeton Review among 382 top colleges and universities for ‘happiest students’ — as well as #2 for ‘best quality of life’ and ‘great financial aid,’ #5 for ‘best run colleges’ and ‘beautiful campus,’ and #6 for both being in a ‘college city that students love’ and having ‘great campus/city relations.’ Below is full job description: Implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities according to NAEYC guidelines, DOE licensing standards, and center policy. Prepares lesson plans with co-teachers. Submits lesson plan by 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon for the coming week. Collects needed materials and supplies in advance. Assesses plans and curriculum based on children's individuals needs and levels of development. Prepares and distributes classroom newsletter weekly or bi-weekly. Maintains attendance records. Submits reports necessary for compliance with licensing agencies. Completes daily report forms for each child and other forms during periods when children are resting in older classrooms or as needed in infant classrooms. Plans activities in advance in order to assure that needed supplies and materials are prepared. Maintains a clean, safe, orderly classroom environment which contributes to the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of children. (Per NAEYC, DOE, OSHA, Risk Management, and Center policies).
Monitors classroom and playground for cleanliness and safety. Cleans classrooms according to established policies. Complies with center cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Limits excessive clutter in classroom. Prepares appropriate reports as needed. Limits time out of the classroom and off of the playground when supervising children. Arrives punctually for work in order to maintain appropriate adult-child ratios. Facilitates discussions with children throughout the day in order to enhance language development. Monitors tone and volume of own voice to ensure respectful interactions with children, parents, and co-workers. Assures that children are supervised at all times. Monitors clean-up times and transitions in order to assure the safety and security of all children. Positions self in classroom and on playground in order to interact with and guide children.
Supervise personnel assigned to assist with classroom activities (including students, assistants, and volunteers). Discusses weekly and daily plans with co-workers. Communicates necessary information concerning schedules and activities. Assigns tasks and sets appropriate guidelines for students, assistants, and volunteers. Using observation and developmental profiles/checklists, and anecdotal notes, maintains appropriate records of children's progress. Monitors children's behavior and development. Reports concerns or unusual behaviors to administrator/supervisor. Work with supervisors to maintain inventory of supplies and materials; reports needed repairs immediately. Monitors classroom inventory of supplies and materials. Records needs on posted lists. Removes broken toys and materials. Conducts necessary repairs when possible. Participates in and contributes to staff meetings, parents meetings/conferences, and opportunities for professional development.
Reports issues, concerns, or topics that need to be included in staff meetings. Initiates discussions with parents related to their child. Conducts parent meetings/conferences as needed. Attends workshops and conferences as directed by supervisor. Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Department of Human Services Licensing Standards, Parent Handbook, and Staff Handbook.
Promotes and maintains confidentiality with respect to information related to children, parents, and co-workers. Avoids conversations with parents concerning children (other than their own), parents, co-workers. Answers parental questions appropriately and professionally. Limits conversations with others when supervising and interacting with children. Models appropriate interactions with children, parents, and co-workers.
Physical Requirements - Mobility – Ability to assist in the movement of objects
- Standing for long periods of time
- Sitting
- Bending
- Pushing
- Turning
- Walking
- Crawling
- Dexterity –Ability to manipulate objects
- Visual – Ability to recognize, register, and respond
- Color recognition
- Calibration
- Depth perception
- Reading/Close-up
- Graphing
Working Environment – This position may require work in or near the following environmental conditions. - Noise
- Intermittent noise
- Normal office environment
- Vibration
- Subject to oscillating movement
- Atmospheric Conditions
- Weather conditions
- Mist
- Temperature extremes
- Odor
- Dust
- Hazards
- Proximity to moving mechanical parts
- Radiation
- Electrical current
- Biohazards (airborne or contact exposure to bacterial or viral)
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Fumes
- Housekeeping and/or cleaning agents
- Explosive chemicals
- Flammable, explosive gases
Required Soft Skills Acceptance of Feedback – Ability to take constructive criticism with grace, and make improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges. When wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes. Adaptability – Ability to read cues and adapt accordingly. Ability to adjust style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others. Can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts. Creative Thinking – Ability to go beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting a manager's direct instructions Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need. Volunteers rather than waiting to be asked. Understands that almost no one works in a silo, and will need the help of others to do their job well, and that by helping others first, they will likely reciprocate. Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together. Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn't pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn't engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct Respect – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial. Comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn't bring their own personal ‘little black clouds’ into the work environment. Responds Promptly -- When emails and phone messages aren't returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important. Responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response. Is Nice – Asks questions and is a good listener. Smiles and is grateful. Sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped. Avoid gossip or saying negative things about co-workers. Patient and generous. Make suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical. Shares – Shares information. Communicates. Transmits knowledge . . . knowledge isn't power – sharing knowledge is. Asks for advice. Resilience -- Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily. Work through Issues – It isn't about the people, it's about the outcome. If things aren't going well, outcomes suffer. Be willing to have crucial conversations if things aren't going well. Doesn't just complain to management . . . does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first. Teamwork – Values teamwork and co-workers; make them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do. Doesn't expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves. Find ways to complement other's strong suits. Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately. When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, ‘pretend your children are watching’ how the situation is handled. Good manners help keep a cool head. Gives credit where credit is due. Assumes the Best -- Assume that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on. Just because you don't know what someone does, it doesn't mean they're not doing anything. Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence. Is a creative problem solver. Is proactive. Welcomes input on making things better. Places a high value on learning and getting better. Believes– Believes in the work being done and the organization. Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective. Can laugh first and foremost at oneself. Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it. Shows up for work when expected. Doesn't push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others. Honest and Transparent – Doesn't have hidden agendas. Doesn't play people against each other. Is authentic and forthright. Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated. Manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track. Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes. Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn't the same as productive). Be persistent. Can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously. Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one's personal and professional development and expertise.
Benefits: In addition to offering a lively community that encourages learning and celebrates diversity, VU offers a competitive, flexible benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, disability insurance, paid time off, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. Vanderbilt offers tuition assistance to employees, spouses and dependent children. Also, after five years of service, Vanderbilt will pay up to 55% of the tuition for up to three dependent children to earn a bachelor's degree. Learn more about Vanderbilt's benefits at VU Benefits Overview Qualifications This position requires Associate's and 2 years of experience or the equivalent. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. |
