Career Center

Position Overview

The Child Care Teacher is responsible for a classroom in the full day program. The classroom consists of children from all backgrounds and identities in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) and the University. This includes establishing a learning environment that is inclusive and developmentally age appropriate, developing emergent curriculum (see “CDLS Learning Philosophy” below for our definition), supervising, and monitoring child development, providing high quality care, maintaining classroom materials, first aid and daily health checks. The Teacher also supports and advances the center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Teacher works in collaboration with the Area Coordinator (Supervisor) and the Assistant Teacher to plan and implement a high-quality, responsive, enriching, and supportive learning environment that is respectful of each child’s background, development, and needs. The weekly curriculum and learning experiences are rich with relational experiences designed to support the development of a range of social, emotional, self-help, language, literacy, cognitive, and motor skills and should align with the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) and MN Early Childhood Indicators of Progress-ECIPS (Infant, Toddler, and Preschool).

This position is required to work on campus and is represented by the AFSCME Technical Union, Local 3937.

Job Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership (30%)

• Establish and maintain an inclusive, professional and safe learning space for children of all backgrounds, identities, abilities and developmental stages in compliance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards, as well as relevant federal laws (e.g. USDA, ADA/IDEA, EOAA).
• In conjunction with the Assistant Teacher and Area Coordinator, plan and execute a consistent daily visible schedule of routines and activities. 
• Conduct daily checks of the environment; assign, monitor, and follow up on the health and safety of the children and ensures the supervision of children are within sight and sound as per NAEYC and MN DHS Licensing (indoors and outdoors).
• Maintain and secure the confidentiality of information and records regarding staff, children, and families as mandated by the U of MN (e.g. FERPA, MN DHS-Licensing, MN Dept. of Ed., NAEYC accreditation and USDA, HIPPA and ADA).
• Participate in on-going reflection (monthly and yearly) on evaluation of the program and personal professional development aligning with performance and job responsibilities.

Curriculum (30%)

• Participate in planning and implementing emergent curriculum for children in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.
• Uses small groups, reflective practice, and observations for planning and implementing learning experiences.
• Plan and implement curriculum, centering the educational work with children on their emerging interests and on their learning in relationship with others in accordance to the CDLS Learning Philosophy.
• Develop the child’s role as an integral member of their learning community through developing the child’s self-image and competence.
• Prepare materials required for daily instruction for the children, ensuring they meet MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.

Documentation and Assessments (20%)

• Through authentic observation, assess individual children’s learning and development using the assigned assessment tool, Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), in accordance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Complete and maintain accurate documentation for “Desired Results,” compliance with the NAEYC standards, and anecdotal records on children. Provide required information to the Area Coordinator when meeting established deadlines.
• Review assessments and documentation of children’s learning to revisit, reflect, and extend emergent curriculum, investigations, and small group explorations.
• Update and extend documentation to reflect children’s work, processes, questions, and dialogues between teacher to child, child-to-child, with encounters, investigations and projects.

Communication (20%)

• Establish effective partnerships with parents and reciprocal processes of communication on a regular basis. Maintain open verbal and written communication with parents regarding child development, behavior issues, parent education, and other child related issues.
• Provide parents with ongoing informal and twice a year a formal overview of the child’s learning experience and progress within the classroom community.
• Regularly communicate parent, child, and/or staff issues with Area Coordinator (i.e., concerned parents, a child’s behavior problems, or an employee’s performance issues).
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers (e.g. assistants, as child(ren) transition to different classrooms).

Required Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

• A combination of education, and teacher experience that meets State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 3 (9503.0032) requirements for Child Care Teacher, such as a high school diploma or the equivalent, at least 24 quarter credits (16 semester credits) in early childhood education from an accredited post-secondary school, and 4,160 hours as an assistant teacher. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9503.0032/ for additional qualifications.
• Have or be willing to obtain (within 90 days of hire) 8 hours approved first aid training and Infant CPR.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds and identities.
• Pass background fingerprint study and reference verification that meets requirements of State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 11.

Physical Requirements
Must be able to repeatedly perform each of the following:

• Physically supervise young children, protecting and preventing harm to them.
• Immediately respond to emergency situations.
• Visually and aurally observe children in their environment.
• Bend, stoop, stand, reach, squat, sit (on floor and/or child size chairs).
• Carry and lift children weighing between 30-50 pounds.
• Push 4-6 seat stroller while walking with children (infants and toddlers).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in providing daily care, developmentally appropriate education, and supervision of young children from a variety of backgrounds, identities, and communities.
• Ability to observe children and adapt curriculum based on their developmental needs and interests.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate an understanding of child development and best teaching practices.
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with colleagues, parents, and children in a professional manner.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize.
• Two paid work references.