Early Childhood Educator- Kimberly Independent School

Job Summary:
The Early Childhood Educator collaborates closely with all other members of the program team to provide nurturing care and education to young children in a group setting, under the supervision of the principal in accordance with the goals and curriculum plans of the centre and the philosophy and policies of the agency and in compliance with licensing regulations.

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) provides support and direct care to children under six, including special needs children. The ECE also provides early learning experiences that will stimulate and develop the children’s intellectual, physical and emotional growth. This will be done in accordance with KIS philosophy.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities:
• Work as a key member of an integrated staff team that consistently strives for inclusion, excellence and effective conflict resolution
• Work within a team approach to implement identified care plan goals and strategies for child(ren) to ensure consistent practice and maximize impact.
• Aware of outstanding issues/needs of program participants and corresponding care plans. Using a team approach ECEs will work together to implement identified care plan goals and strategies to ensure consistent practice
• Responsible for the constant supervision, safety and well being of the children
• Plans, carries out and evaluates developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children using modeling, observing, questioning, demonstrating and reinforcing techniques. • Develops daily program schedules that include indoor/outdoor, active/quiet and individual and group activities
• Recognizes and responds to the needs of each child by using developmentally appropriate teaching and child behaviour management techniques
• Shares in the responsibility for planning, preparing and implementing stimulating, age-appropriate activities that encourage children’s creativity and learning and promote each child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development
• Participates fully and consistently as a conscientious team member in caring for the children and in the overall operation of the program and centre; maintains regular and open communication with program team members and all other co-workers
• Ensure children are supervised at all times and engaged in safe activities throughout the day
• Establishes and maintains regular communication with parents
• Communicates with families about children’s growth and development. Requests input from and participation of parents in the development of programs. Confers with parents with regard to usual or problematic issues
• Ensures the program operates at all times in compliance with all child care licensing standards
• Must know and implement: Centre routines and practices;
• Observes and records relevant information on each child's progress as required/as per KIS practices
• Identifies the abilities, interests and needs of children and develops individualized and group curriculum based on these. Recommends to principal referrals or additional services or work in consultation with professional such as behavioural therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists
• Responsible for maintaining effective relationships with parents/caregivers and other stakeholders. Involve the parents/caregivers in the decision making process as it relates to the growth of his/her child at KIS
• Attends to the children’s physical needs (i.e. diapering, toileting, eating, and sleeping).
• Attends and participates actively in all program/centre, parental or other meetings as required
• Administers first aid and medication in accordance with KIS policy and procedures and licensing regulations
• Shares responsibility for maintaining program equipment in good repair; assists with toy/equipment disinfecting
• Shares responsibility for maintaining the play environments and storage areas in an organized and clutter-free condition
• Participates in regular fire drills and other emergency procedures
• Engages in positive collaboration with the other programs and early childhood educators and assistants of the centre in coordinating the effective use of equipment, facilities and personnel
• Participates in ongoing professional development and attends/maintains all mandatory training
• Assists the principal in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by promptly reporting any existing and/or potential workplace hazards
• Performs other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the principal or her/his designate
• Participate in special promotional activities, programs, or events as required by KIS.

Administration:
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets
• Attend staff meetings as required
• Adhere strictly to the Policies and Procedures of KIS and Licensing Regulations.
• Document and report all incidents of suspected child abuse to the Ministry for Children and Family Development and the principal.
• Reports all critical incidents to principal and complete a written “Incident Report”
• Ensures that all required documentation is accurate and complete

Facility Maintenance:
• Responsible for checking that any equipment or facilities used to help facilitate the delivery of the program plan are safe, in good working order, and free of risk
• Ensure that the facility is left clean and facility cleaning checklist is complete upon the conclusion of your shift (where appropriate sweep floor, vacuum carpet, wipe tables, put away craft and recreational supplies, and clean kitchen area)
• Follow appropriate lock-up procedures at the conclusion of your shift
• Report all concerns you may note in the facility to the principal immediately

Qualifications:
Minimum: Early Childhood Education diploma or provincially recognized equivalent.

Benefits:
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Vision care