Early Childhood Education Homeroom Teacher

Overall Description

The Early Childhood Education Teacher works in a co-teaching relationship to provide an education for the whole child based on the Yew Chung Educational Philosophy and Objectives. Through a developmentally appropriate practice and inquiry learning approach, and in a bilingual and multicultural learning environment, the Co-teachers develop the curriculum that supports life long learning dispositions through play and in-depth projects.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements:

• The teacher must possess a recognized qualification in early childhood education, child development or other related fields.

• A commitment to the best interest of young children

• A warm and friendly personality

• Sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others

• An ability to relate well to young children

• An ability to establish a positive and healthy relationship with parents and families

• Previous experience of working with a diverse group of young children and/or implementation of inquiry based learning approach preferable

Expectations

• Understand and adhere to the Yew Chung Education Philosophy

• Familiarity with Yew Chung Early Childhood Education Programme Handbook and the general policies and procedures of ECE Section and the campus

• A willingness to understand and work with the curriculum framework provided by the ‘Practice Guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage’.

• Develop and maintain a trusting, cooperative and collaborative working relationship with a co-teacher

• Be open-minded and understanding of the different cultural perspectives

• Be a willing participant and contributor as part of the ECE team and the wider school community.

• Be alert to and understanding of health and safety matters

• Be punctual and well prepared at the beginning of each day

Responsibilities:

Implementation of the Daily Learning Programme with Co-teacher

• Understand and incorporate the Yew Chung Philosophy and Objectives to nurture the dispositions for a life-long learner

• Ensure the programme reflects the vision of Yew Chung ECE through referring to the Yew Chung ECE Handbook and the ‘Practice Guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage’.

• Create a responsive and caring classroom learning environment with intentional learning centres for young children

• Based on children’s interests, plan, implement, document and evaluate developmentally appropriate daily learning opportunities and experiences both indoors and outdoors

• Preparing and Organizing Materials and Resources for Learning

• Observing the strengths and concerns of individual children which inform the planning of appropriate opportunities for development and learning.

Establishment of Daily Schedule, Routines and Transitions with Co-Teacher

• Help children to understand daily schedule and routines

• Help children to understand the behaviour expectations in the learning environment both indoors and outdoors

• Be flexible and responsive to children’s emerging interests

• Provide positive guidance of the behaviour of individual children

• Encourage independence and self-help skills

Working with families

• Make families feel welcome

• Be able to explain the different aspects of the programme with families

• Establish a rapport with parents and families

• Ensure information is gained from parents about a child’s development and interests

• Include the expertise of parents and families which include their cultural belief, practices and professional knowledge etc. to support the children’s learning.

• Be resourceful and supportive to parenting issues when appropriate

• Keep ongoing communication with families through newsletters, communication books, email groups, website, etc.

• Make sure that information learned about the child from parents and family members is shared with Co-teacher

Maintain a general professionalism as an ECE teacher

• Adopt a positive attitude towards school life and work

• Always meet deadlines for administrative work, i.e. Newsletters, Portfolios, Documentation of Learning, Planning with Reflection, Reports, etc.

• Always maintain a relationship with children that is fair and unbiased

• Keep confidentiality of children, families, and colleagues’ personal information

• Maintain a professional relationship with parents and families

• Always conduct themselves in professional manners in relation to dress, conduct, etc.

Maintain and Further Professional Knowledge, Attitudes and Competences

• Keep abreast of the current practice and theories in early childhood education

• Always seek self-improvement through ongoing professional development, and be willing to take risks to try new ideas

• Accept other teachers’ good ideas and share their own

• Participate in on-going professional reflection and sharing

• Show interests in wider ECE world

Support and Participate in the Initiatives of the School Community

• Establish Positive Relationships with everyone in the ECE community including the Leadership, the Co-teacher and other colleagues, support staff, drivers, etc.

• Volunteer in various ad-hoc committees and school events

Any emerging tasks within the role of a co-teacher as assigned by the supervisors.

In addition to the above, carry out any other duties as may be required and requested by the ECE Coordinator.

********************Child Protection Statement***********************

YCYW Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expect all applicants to share this commitment. We align our recruitment practices to the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. Before any appointment is confirmed, we implement effective recruitment practices which include: interview, identity check, criminal record check and character/professional references. All teachers and other adults working at YCYW schools are expected to read and comply with our Child Protection Policy and Procedures and our Adult Code of Conduct for Working with Students.