This is professional teaching work with supervisory responsibility in a county department or agency.

Employees in this class are responsible for the care, development and teaching of children enrolled in an early childhood education center. Responsibilities include supervising teaching assistants, planning and implementing classroom activities, and preparing lesson plans and various developmental activities for preschool children in the program. Incumbents apply professional principles and practices of elementary and early childhood education in the performance of assigned duties. Supervision is exercised over teaching assistants engaged in providing assistance in various child care and development activities. Supervision is received from an administrative superior who reviews work through personal conferences and written reports for achievement of established goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Supervises teaching assistants engaged in implementing a cognitively oriented curriculum, assisting in the preparation of lesson plans, and providing daily evaluation and supervision of children.

Plans and implements classroom arrangements, lesson plans and various developmental activities for children enrolled in the program.

Plans and implements field trips and individual activities for children.

Assesses developmental level of children; evaluates children in cognitive skills areas and in areas of social and emotional development.

Supervises maintenance of records concerning child's attendance, progress, problems, health, and parent contracts; prepares and submits monthly reports.

Conducts conferences with parents concerning progress and development of children.

Attends professional and educational conferences and meetings to keep abreast of educational trends and developments.

Recruits and supervises volunteers to work in the classrooms.

Evaluates health services provided to children; identifies children with special health needs and obtains physicians' prescriptions; completes USDA applications for each school year.

Observes children with disabilities and prepares progress reports.

Makes home visits and conducts parent-teacher conferences to encourage parent participation in the program.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of the theories and principles of elementary and early childhood education.

Considerable knowledge of methods and practices of teaching.

Considerable knowledge of established child care practices and procedures.

Knowledge of techniques in planning and evaluating developmental activities of young children.

Knowledge of the conduct and behavior of preschool children.

Knowledge of the program curriculum and learning activities at a Head Start center.

Knowledge of techniques of appropriate stimulation for the development of preschool children.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to teach preschool children.

Ability to develop and implement lesson plans and classroom activities for preschool children.

Ability to prepare records, forms and reports.

Ability to supervise subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to interact with preschool children in the classroom and in outdoor activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field.

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