A head or lead teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate daycare activities that meet the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs children.
Head Daycare Teacher Job Description and Duties
The most basic duties required of a daycare head teacher include:
- Develop curriculum and prepare, implement , and supervise age-appropriate activities
- Supervise children: Monitor, direct, protect, encourage, and nurture children
- Maintain a safe, fun, healthy environment for children
- Maintain communication with parents: A daycare head teacher must communicate daily with parents verbally and through daily reports and progress reports. He or she must create and manage client records accurately and efficiently.
- Attend staff meetings, required training, and continuing education
Lead Daycare Teacher Qualifications
Minimum education qualifications are usually an Associate’s Degree in Education or Early Childhood Education or related field, completion of a Child Development Associate Certification, or a certain number of college credits in Early Childhood Development, education or related field along with a plan leading to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Candidates must be CPR and First Aid certified and must have passed a recent tuberculosis test. Candidates must also be able to pass a background check and drug screen.
In addition, most employers would like to see at least one year of experience or training in the childcare environment as an educator. Excellent communication skills (written and oral), the ability to lift up to 60 pounds, and the ability to climb stairs are also required.
Desired Characteristics for a Head Daycare Teacher
Head daycare teachers must be enthusiastic, energetic, nurturing, patient, comforting, creative, responsive, compassionate, flexible, encouraging, and culturally sensitive and aware. A lead teacher must also possess great leadership skills in addition to being a good team player and having the ability to work well with others.
Daycare Teacher’s Salary
The latest statistics show that the median annual salary for a lead daycare teacher is $27,274. As with most jobs, salary will vary depending upon experience and education; more experienced and educated candidates will receive a higher salary. The salary for a lead daycare teacher is also higher in states with a higher cost of living.
As the world becomes increasingly digital, one of the best methods of finding child care jobs is online through the World Wide Web. Some of the best child care job websites are: the National Association of Child Care Professionals, ChildcareExchange.com, and Care.com. Websites like Employment Guide allow potential employees to fill out one application and send them to several employers at once, thus increasing the odds of finding a lucrative daycare job.
To be able to nurture and educate a young child is truly rewarding. Becoming a head daycare teacher is truly a satisfying career path for those with an interest in early childhood education.
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