Friends Center for Children is an early childhood education center providing high-quality, full-time year-round care for children ages 3 months to 5 years. We offer a child-centered, hands-on learning experience in a safe and nurturing environment. At Friends Center, children learn through creative play and a wide range of developmentally-appropriate activities. We are non-sectarian and our values-based curriculum is guided and enhanced by its foundations in the Quaker principles of community, equality, peace, simplicity, truth and stewardship. As a cooperative organization, parents and teachers at Friends Center work together to create a diverse and supportive community. Our mission is to educate children, empower families, inspire teachers, engage community, embrace diversity and embody equity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching:
· In coordination with other teachers, plan, supervise and implement infant/toddler curriculum reflective of Quaker values and guided by children’s interests and developmental needs.
· Meet physical, social-emotional and cognitive needs of all children in the classroom.
· Provide materials for children that are reflective of Friends Center values.
· Maintain the classroom in an organized, clean and appealing fashion, reflective of Friends Center values and based on developmental needs and interests of the children.
Modeling:
· Maintain a positive emotional attitude with children, families and other staff.
· Mentor teaching staff and model best childcare and classroom practices for parent cooperative volunteers.
· Work to build positive relationships among staff/parents/guardians/volunteers.
Supervision:
· Communicate with families and other teachers daily and document children’s daily progress.
· Conduct weekly meetings with teachers for the purposes of curriculum planning, student observations, and fostering healthy communication between teachers.
· Supervise assistant teachers, parents/guardians and volunteers in the class.
Assessment:
· Participate in ongoing evaluation of children through daily observations, collecting weekly work samples and written assessments.
· Conference with families bi-annually, or as needed, and develop goals for each child with the family.
· Provide ongoing evaluation as needed to assess the developmental levels of the children.
· In consultation with the Site Director and Emotional Well-Being Coordinator support referrals for families as needed for evaluation and/or services.
Professional Development:
· Attend all staff meetings.
· Maintain required continuing education hours and provide documentation of such.
· Maintain knowledge of current theory and best practices.
· Participate in all required early childhood meetings, conferences and/or events.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor's/Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and/or CDA.
· CPR certified or ability to complete training.
· Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
· Excellent organizational skills.
· Computer literacy.
· Two years of Early Childhood Education experience.
· Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with a diverse population.
· Experience working in a cooperative model a plus.
· Fluency in Spanish or other second language preferred.
Physical Requirements:
· Vision and hearing must be within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
· Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs., to bend, and sit on the floor for prolonged periods and get up again is required.
Reports to: Site Director
This is a full-time, exempt, 40 hour/week position. Some evenings and occasional weekend hours are required.
Benefits include employer-sponsored health insurance and generous PTO in addition to other center closings (11 federal holidays, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and a week in April for Spring Recess). Friends Center also has a staff support program which can include tuition reimbursement and mentoring.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Dental/Vision
- 401k
- Life Insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability (for special events)
COVID-19 considerations:
All staff members are required to be fully vaccinated including updated booster.
Ability to commute/relocate:
- New Haven, CT 06513: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Education:
- Bachelor's/Associates/CDA (Required)
Experience:
- Early Childhood Education Teacher: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
- Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: One location
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $45,000 - $60,000.00 per year based on qualifications
Ability to commute/relocate:
- New Haven, CT: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
License/Certification:
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
- Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: One location
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Application Question(s):
- Please share your email address and best contact number.
Experience:
- Infant/Toddler: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- COVID vaccine card w/ updated booster or willing to obtain (Required)
Work Location: In person