Assistant Teacher, Early Childhood Educator

From birth through age five, children develop a sense of emotional security, form relationships, and learn social skills. Young children depend on early childhood educators for physical care; their survival depends on attentive, nurturing adults. The responsiveness of early childhood educators to the social, emotional, and physical needs of young children has a profound influence on children’s development and learning.

The work of the Assistant Teacher requires simultaneous attention to teaching and caregiving, meeting young children’s needs for nurturance while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.

ATTRIBUTES AND DISPOSITIONS

Accountable Caring Collaborative Consistent

Creative Helpful Initiative Nurturing

Patient Professional Responsible Teamwork

COMPETENCIES

• Experience caring for young children ages 0-5 years
• Respectful communication: responsive listening, problem-solver, initiates crucial conversations
• Knowledge of Child Development
• Experience working with children and families in a child care center

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY FUNCTIONS

Child Development:

• Values play as essential to a young child’s development and learning
• Curriculum for young children includes personal-care routines, schedules, environments, and interactions that meet children’s individual needs and reflect diverse perspectives and interests
• Supportive of children’s feelings, perceptions, behaviors, and interactions, and seeks to understand them
• Developmentally appropriate environments promote exploration, discovery, learning, health, and safety for all children in all domains

Child Care Operations:

• Implementation of and support for nutrition routines
• Attentive supervision of children: knows classroom enrollment, constantly scans classroom/playground to ensure safety, and closely monitors children by constantly taking attendance
• Implementation of hygiene practices

Customer Service

• Friendly greeting to each and every parent/visitor
• Creates an atmosphere of joyful learning community

Qualifications

• Ability to reach, run, sit, squat, stoop, and walk is required .
• Ability to pass a Child Care Background Investigation (per DHS licensing) is required .
• Ability to interact well with children, families, and campus faculty and staff is necessary .
• Ability to be flexible to center’s needs and hours; hours required to work are 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM is required .
• High School diploma or GED is required
• Possession of or ability to become CPR and First Aid certified is preferred.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds is required .
• Respectful communication: responsive listening, problem-solver, initiates crucial conversations
• Possession of or ability to become Infant-Child First Aid/CPR certified is required .
• Willingness and ability to learn new skills and be flexible is necessary .
• Strong communication skills are required.
  • Respectful communication: responsive listening, problem-solver, initiates crucial conversations
• Knowledge of blood-borne pathogens, and ability to implement safety procedures (including for diapering, nutrition, First Aid) is required .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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