Summary

Hours:  10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Also, additional hours for training/staff meetings as assigned by director. Hours may vary based on need of center Director.

Scope of position:

Closers are the last point of contact for families when they pick up their children.  Closers are expected to be communicative with families and send the children home with encouraging words.  In addition to communicating and encouraging families, a Closer is responsible for ensuring that the building is properly shut down at the end of the day and prepped for reopening the next business day.  Closers may be assigned to various positions throughout the day as needed.  Closers will promote the school's philosophy and educational objectives and support the mission and goals of the program.

Duties

Specific Duties:

• Have a positive attitude each day
• Be supportive of the mission and goals of Westminster Preschool
• Build strong relationships with children and families
• Always maintain adult supervision of children and adhere to child/staff ratios
• Attend all required training and events
• Demonstrate faith in action and love for children
• Upholds Biblical values and principles
• Be willing to go in and out of classrooms as needed
• Fill in for classroom staff absences
• Be willing to do assigned tasks
• Demonstrate the ability to manage and respond to emergent needs of classroom staff

Classroom environment:

• Maintain a clean and organized classroom and learning environment
• Assist lead/assistant teacher in keeping learning centers neat and organized
• Follow classroom schedules
• Interact with the children during all activities
• Step into classrooms to assist where needed
• Implement activities as assigned by lead teacher
• Assume an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of staff
• Complete and submit the daily cleaning checklist in the absence of the lead/assistant teacher

Curriculum:

• Assist in implementing curriculum and lesson plans in the classroom
• Participate in mealtimes with children, encouraging them to try new foods, asking open ended questions, urging positive conversations

Safety:

• Meet all health/safety standards as outlined in Indiana Childcare Licensing Rules and Regulations for Registered Ministries, CCDF, VCP and Paths to Quality
• Adhere to all Safe Sleep guidelines 
• Observe handwashing policies and procedures for both staff and children
• Observe proper diaper and sanitation procedures

Kitchen:

• Adhere to all health and safety rules for food services
• Keep kitchen clean and orderly

Building:

• Sweep and mop floors daily
• Check all trash cans to be sure trash has been taken to the dumpster each day
• Check that child and staff restrooms are clean and well stocked
• Disinfect areas and surfaces outside of the classrooms
• Check that all doors into the building are properly closed and locked
• Ensure that classrooms and gross motor areas used at the end of the day are cleaned and orderly

Communication with children, families, and staff:

• Communicate with children with eye-level, one-on-one attention throughout the day
• Positively work with children on conflicts using a problem-solving approach
• Communicate with families only through ProCare 
• Communicate with co-works and administrative staff regarding classroom and work-related needs

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized software for parent and staff communication
• Ability to communicate professionally verbally and in writing

Requirements:

• CPR/First Aid/Universal Precautions with annual recertification
• Must pass drug screening, criminal background check and FSSA background check
• TB testing
• Up-to-date physical
• Complete trainings in Safe Sleep, Indiana Early Learning Foundations, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Child Safety modules
• Maintain and hold 20 hours annually of in-service training on early childhood topics
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings/trainings
• Must be in a capacity to independently care for the appropriate number of children in the staff/student ratio required for the age group to which they are assigned
• Be familiar with the Voluntary Certification Program, Registered Ministry licensing requirements and Paths to Quality requirements

Physical requirements:  

• Willing and able to lift a child weighing at least 40 pounds
• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, sit on the floor and rise from the floor without adult assistance.
• Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time
• Must be able to move about the building at a quick pace as needed
• Must be able to reach overhead