TEACHER, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Definition

Under direction, provides instruction on the elementary level in order to provide children with a learning environment designed to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Teachers, Early Childhood Education are employed in homes or facilities, by whatever name known, which are maintained for the care, development, or supervision of six (6) or more children under six years of age who attend for less than 24 hours a day. The term "child care center," includes, but is not limited to, day care centers, drop-in- centers, night-time centers, recreation type centers sponsored and operated by a county or municipal government recreation and/or park department or agency, day nurseries, nursery and play schools, cooperative child centers, centers for children with special needs, centers serving sick children, infant-toddler programs, employment related centers, centers that have been licensed by the Department of Human Services, and kindergartens that are not an integral part of a private educational institution or system offering elementary education in grades kindergarten through sixth.

Examples of work

• Plans subject matter to be taught using various teaching techniques.
• Prepares study program in accordance with standard elementary curriculum.
• Prepares periodic examinations or programs designed to measure childrens' knowledge and progress.
• Interviews new children to determine their level of development.
• Stimulates interest in the facility's programs.
• Confers with facility supervisory staff and other interested persons on the childrens' progress, development of programs, and testing.
• Provides counsel to children on problems related to social behavior and personal relationships.
• Assumes responsibility for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of assigned children.
• Prepares accurate and informative reports.
• Sees that proper measures are taken at all times to eliminate actual and potential hazards to the safety of the children.
• Sees that order is maintained among children and in the center, and refers unusual and/or serious behavior and disciplinary problems to the day care center supervisor.
• Escorts children to recreation, activity areas, and other center areas as may be required.
• May supervise teachers' aide and other para-professional staff, and evaluate their performance.
• Notifies the facility supervisor when irregularities, suspicious conditions, accidents, illness, and/or fire occur.
• Encourages the involvement of parents in the center's activities in order to enhance their roll as principal influence on the child; shares with parents appropriate information about their children.
• Prepares factual reports.
• Keeps records with accuracy and attention to detail.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Possession of a current and valid teaching certificate in nursery school or elementary education issued by the New Jersey Department of Education.

OR

Possession of an associate's degree in early childhood education or child development from an accredited college or university.

OR

Have (15) college credits from an accredited college or university, of which a minimum of six credits shall be in early childhood education or child development. The remaining credits shall be from the areas of education, psychology, health care, nursing or any other field related to child growth and development.

OR

Possession of a Child Development Associate certificate.

Experience

One (1) year of teaching experience in a group program for children under six years of age, which may include supervised practice teaching and/or student teaching.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of early childhood and/or elementary education. Knowledge of the problems involved in the care, custody and treatment of children under six years of age. Knowledge of the techniques used in counseling children under six years of age. Knowledge of role playing, socio-drama, simulation games and student centered teaching. Ability to test for and teach basic skills such as reading and math, and plan appropriate lessons for children. Ability to devise own tests to measure students progress, learning levels, and educational level of development. Ability to communicate with and relate to children. Ability to discern childrens' needs and interest. Ability to recognize learning problems. Ability to counsel children under six years of age. Ability to apply an instructional program to meet the learning needs and limitations of those being taught. Ability to recognize learning problems. Ability to exercise initiative, discretion and judgment in developing course outlines, lesson plans, and individualized learning programs for pre-school aged children. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. LN N/A01-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLN N/A01- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 8/11/1993