Summary

Hours:  6:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Also, additional hours for training/staff meetings as assigned by director.  Hours may vary based on need of center Director.

Scope of position:

The Opener is responsible for opening the building daily and preparing for the arrival of families.  Openers are the first point of contact for families upon arrival and as such, are expected to be compassionate and understanding when the children are left in their care.  Openers are responsible for meeting the needs in various aspects of the facility.  Openers may be assigned to work in the kitchen and/or classrooms as needed. Openers 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

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