• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with 480 hours of experience or an associate degree in early childhood required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
• The Lead Caregiver must meet the health requirements of the State of Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Child and Adult Licensing Childcare Licensing Rules (R 400.8128)
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Professional tact and diplomacy with administration, co-workers, students, parents, and the community
• Ability to lift/carry instructional materials up to 50 pounds
• Adheres to FERPA and District confidentiality policies
• Possess emotional stability, physical stamina, and strength necessary to complete duties, and have an understanding and interest in young children
• Must have regular and reliable attendance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Primary responsibility at the site level for all operations and maintenance of a safe, caring, and developmentally appropriate educational environment for all children
• Comply with all licensing rules and regulations
• Coordinate and maintain required training hours and certifications through MiRegistry
• Support, evaluate, and plan assignments for classroom assistants and LSSU student workers
• Oversee and maintain accurate and complete child records as required by licensing, district policies, and administrative regulations
• Oversee the daily functioning of the classroom to provide a safe, healthy, and organized learning environment
• Provide direction and support for assistant caregivers assigned to the center and provide input in their job performance evaluations
• Assist in the day-to-day training of assistant caregivers and LSSU student workers
• Professionally represent the school and District in interactions with parents, community, staff, and students
• Maintain all necessary record keeping procedures
• Interact with children to promote cognitive, language, social/emotional, large, and fine motor, and self-help/adaptive skills
• Responsible for the implementation of approved curriculum with fidelity
• Lead planning time and take all team members' ideas into consideration
• Develop lesson plans and make them available to all staff and ancillary providers in a timely manner
• Ensure lesson plans reflect cognitive, language, social/emotional, large, and fine motor, self-help/adaptive growth and needed accommodations based on child’s IFSP or behavior plan
• Set-up, carry out, and clean-up of the daily program/lesson plans with assistance from other staff members
• Conduct ongoing child screening and assessment activities with accuracy and timeliness and analyze results to use for lesson planning and continuous improvement
• Familiarize and follow all policies, procedures, and requirements as set forth by site Handbook in accordance with the Early Childhood Standards of Quality and Childcare Licensing Rules
• Attend professional meetings, i.e., staff meetings, IFSPTs, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence
• Provide for child needs, which may include, but are not limited to toileting and/or diapering, proper lifting and/or transferring (up to 50 pounds), feeding, special education needs, medically related needs and personal hygiene needs of children
• Keep the Site Supervisor informed of site issues or concerns
• Always remain free of substance abuse and/or illegal drug use
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor

Wages and Fringes: EDUStaff Contract - $16-$18 per hour based on education and experience, with the option of health benefits or cash in lieu

Job Qualifications:

·      Possess at minimum, a four-year degree in the field of early childhood development or related field of study. Required credentials may be negotiated based upon experience in early care and education settings.

·      Have a comprehensive understanding of child development based on education, training, and at least five years of experience working directly with young children in a high quality early childhood setting.

·      Demonstrates understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and high-quality care.

·      Demonstrates effective communication techniques when working with other adults, including common language, active listening skills, and reflective listening.

·      Works cooperatively with a diverse population of stakeholders including local school district representatives, community partners, early care and education programs, program administrators and staff, children, and families.

·      Has awareness and/or knowledge of the settings that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families. This may include Center-Based Child Care, Family Child Care, Early Head Start/Head Start, Great Start Readiness Programs, Home Visiting Programs, Early On, and Licensed Exempt Provider Care.

·      Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Infants/Toddlers and Pre-Kindergarten, the State of Michigan Licensing rules and regulations for early care and education programs, and the State of Michigan Approved Curriculum, Assessment and Screening Tool list.

·      Commitment to equity, social justice and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.

·      Continual learning and practice that reflects the latest research in the early childhood field.

·      Ability to manage own time, set priorities, and contribute to a team atmosphere.

·      Competent use of technology and software needed to perform assigned position duties.

·      Advocacy of the importance of early childhood education and advancement of the profession.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

·      Responsible for the implementation of quality improvement coaching across the Central region in compliance with Great Start to Quality protocols to meet established targets, focusing on the following priorities:

ü Programs/providers serving children with the highest needs.

ü Programs/providers serving infants/toddlers.

ü Other target groups as identified by priorities established by the Office of Great Start.

·      Supports programs with developing, monitoring and verifying quality improvement plans.

·      May conduct on-site and virtual coaching to early childhood programs in various capacities.

·      Maintains regular contact throughout each month with all programs on assigned caseload via face-to-face visits, email, phone, text, virtual platforms (Zoom), or mailing of related quality resources.

·      Utilizes the Michigan Registry System to track and record interactions with programs receiving resource and referral services.

·      Maintains a working knowledge of the quality recognition and improvement system including assessments and validation process and assist with communicating validation results to programs.

·      Connects programs/individuals to the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship to support program goals.

·      Plan, facilitate and lead required statewide and local professional development for early childhood educators and or families.

·      Engage in early childhood Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Professional Development (PD), as required.

·      Utilize individual expertise and experience, as it will benefit the program as a whole.

·      Supports families in Work Life Systems and assists in finding high quality early childhood learning programs to best fit their needs.

 Physical Demands of Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, see and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Frequent travel and/or driving to various off-site locations required.