Director / Lead Teacher Of The Infant Toddler Laboratory Program

Provide a model infant and toddler program experience consistent with the Child Development program’s mission to serve Meredith College students and the greater community. Address all administrative and teaching needs of the center, including budget, licensing, accreditation, health and safety, supplies and food, and other responsibilities for operating the EBH. This position is full-time, 10 months (Aug - May each year).

Administrative:
1. Oversee the day-to-day functions of the program.
2. Address all administrative and teaching needs of the center, including budget, licensing, accreditation, health and safety, supplies and food, and other responsibilities for operating the EBH. Maintain open and effective communication with families on a regular basis.
3. Be available as a resource for visitors who seek information about the program and observers who offer programmatic support.
4. Coordinate regular meetings with the faculty liaison and assistant director.
5. Hire, supervise, and coordinate scheduling for student workers. Provide and maintain appropriate training, including but not limited to safety.
6. Act as a liaison between EBH and Meredith College to help maintain cleanliness and safety at EBH and on the grounds of Meredith College.
7. Act as a liaison between EBH and the Human environmental Sciences Department to communicate regularly, collaborate in decision-making processes, and enhance daily experiences for the children.
8. Work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, and those with disabilities and special needs.

Teaching:
1. Maintain, at all times, high quality childcare standards based on developmentally appropriate practices.
2. Take initiative in all aspects of the program including diapering, meal preparation, and clean up.
3. Model high quality early education practices including treating children with respect and utilizing positive guidance. Encourage children’s problem solving and self-help skills.
4. Mentor college students by modeling best practices, providing interpretations of children's behavior, and offering guidance with class assignments.
5. Treat basic caregiving routines as a vital part of the curriculum by showing respectful caregiving through talking to the child, involving the child in the task, and recognizing the importance of interaction of one-on-one care as an aspect of infant curriculum.
6. Provide children with a wide variety of experiences by the setting up of environments and allowing time to explore freely.
7. Demonstrate basic child development principles through curriculum and interactions.
8. Recognize the cues of the children in order to balance quiet/active activities, indoor/outdoor activities, and group/individual activities as needed by the children.
9. Approve weekly lesson plans to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate, model research-based practices, and are based on the interests and developmental goals of the children.
10. Work collaboratively with the Assistant Director/Lead Techer to ensure that children's portfolios are current and documentation panels are updated regularly.
11. Participate in professional development experiences to increase understanding of current best practices for curriculum, explore innovative teaching theories and practices, and enhance administrative functions of child development programs.

• Earned Bachelor’s degree in child development;
• 3 years administrative experience, including budgeting and staff supervision, in a 5 star child care center that includes infants and toddlers;
• Full-time lead teaching experience with infants and toddlers;
• Demonstrated ability to provide a model infant and toddler program experience consistent with the Child Development program’s mission to serve Meredith College students and the greater community;
• Possession of North Carolina Administrative Credentials I and II (Level 3 Administrators);
• Must be able to pass a Criminal Records Background check;
• Current pediatric CPR & First Aid certification;
• Completed training in ITS-SIDS;
• Experience supervising and mentoring college students, including student workers, in a childcare program laboratory setting preferred.

The director/lead teacher will not be eligible to enroll his/her own children in the Ellen Brewer House Infant Toddler Laboratory Program.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply: submit your letter of interest, resume, list of three references, professional goals, copies of transcripts, current proof of certifications in pediatric CPR & First Aid certification, completed training in ITS-SIDS certification, and the completion of the Child Care Administrator I and II credentials. Inquiries as to the position responsibilities may be directed to Dr. Scrinzi, search committee chair, at asscrinzi@meredith.edu.