Bloomington Developmental Learning Center
Location
Bloomington, IN | United States
Job description
Summary
BDLC is looking for a full-time infant/toddler teacher to join our team of patient, kind, passionate early childhood educators! Our center practices continuity of care, meaning the children start with a set of infant/toddler teachers in the infant room and stay with those peers and teachers, moving room to room as a group, until they are 3 years old.
This specific teacher opening is for our Lamb classroom, whose current group of children have birth dates ranging from 8/2022-12/2022 BDLC's Educational Philosophy: BDLC's educational philosophy is rooted in several curriculum models, from the Creative Curriculum to Reggio Emilia, as well as our own unique holistic approach. Our teachers observe children and provide a framework for learning by finding the "zone of proximal development", (where each child is in emerging development) and then creating the child-centered classroom environment and individual and social engagements to support their cognitive, physical, and social/emotional growth. At BDLC, we believe the best way to help children accomplish their goals is through a child-centered, developmentally appropriate environment where free choice and experimentation of materials and the environment are the priority. Young children learn best through free play, so we provide them with a variety of opportunities for self-directed play and exploration in areas of learning such as art, physical movement, dramatic play, reading and writing, STEM, manipulative play, music, and more. We truly believe that all children can be very happy learners. ? BDLC's Approach to Discipline: BDLC practices the Conscious Discipline approach, which is part of our positive social/emotional curriculum. Conscious Discipline is based on current brain research, child development information, and developmentally appropriate practices. This is a classroom management program that focuses on the importance of adults making changes in their own lives first. We cannot help young children learn to self-regulate if we are not self-regulated ourselves. When we are more in control of our own emotions, we can better help children learn to process what they are feeling and how to safely navigate those emotions. Teachers and support staff never yell, tease, threaten, or act aggressively toward children in any manner. We acknowledge the emotions children are feeling and help them develop the necessary skills to work through challenging situations. Instead of saying "NO!" or "STOP THAT!" we give the children choices such as "You can clean up the big blocks by putting them in the basket or by stacking them on the shelf. What works best for you?" We also practice the concept of "sportscasting" or "mirroring" allowing us to recognize the emotions children are feeling, which helps them feel validated and helps them learn how to link what they are feeling to actual words. An example of this would be, "You are sad because mommy had to leave. It can be so hard to say goodbye." Our interactions with children are always calm and respectful. Duties An infant/toddler teacher's responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Planning and implementing play-based developmentally appropriate experiences
- Attending to daily physical caregiving needs such as feedings and diaper changes
- Fostering the social/emotional development of the children through the use of Conscious Discipline and respectful interactions
- Developmental assessments
- Facilitating supportive interactions and relationships with parents, guardians, and co-teachers
Requirements Candidates must have experience working in an early childhood classroom with a play-based curriculum, along with developing developmentally appropriate lesson plans and portfolios. A CDA is required, but an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred. Pay is based on education and experience. TB test, drug screen, and fingerprint background checks are required upon hire. Benefits Generous paid time off, dental and vision insurance, childcare tuition discount, TEACH scholarship for college tuition
Job tags
Salary
$16 - $18 per hour
