The Muse: A Childcare Center at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma
1501 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Start Date: March 26, 2018
The Muse is a program of the Children’s Museum of Tacoma where we honor children and champion play. We are a licensed childcare and early learning center serving children ages 12 months to 5 years. The Muse is inspired by beliefs from early learning centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy. We value teaching and learning through the arts, that is play based, and joyful.
Teachers collaborate with Muse and Children’s Museum colleagues to establish supportive working relationships. They are adept at listening to children, families, and colleagues with consideration and empathy. They enthusiastically study and practice Reggio Emilia principles. Teachers are flexible thinkers and creative problem solvers. They show respect for diverse parenting styles and cultural differences. They care for children in a nurturing and supportive manner.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Familiar with children’s developmental stages 12 months – 5 years of age
• Develop emergent curriculum and project-based learning approaches to early learning
• Create indoor and outdoor open-ended learning experiences
• Create documentation of children’s learning experiences by way of text, photographs, and video
• Write and implement lesson plans and a daily schedule
• Collaborate with team to organize indoor and outdoor spaces to maintain a beautiful and clean environment
• Promote children’s language and literacy development
• Support children’s independence and self-help skills
• Support children’s ability to take physical, social, and emotional risks
• Participate in reflective supervision meetings with Director
• Participate in reflective meetings with Muse and Children’s Museum team members
• Assist with implementation of observation and assessment tools
• Comply with DEL licensing regulations, including: child/teacher ratios; child supervision, health, safety, and emergency procedures; diapering and toilet training practices; and nap time, meal and snack practices
• Follow best teaching practices as stated by DEL, NAEYC, and NAREA
• Comply with required MERIT trainings to maintain good standing
• Help maintain accurate record-keeping systems
• Help complete record-keeping and other tasks in a timely manner
• Other responsibilities requested by Director such as the care and maintenance of center
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalency
• College course credits in ECE, Human Dev., Child/Family Studies, or General Studies
• Experience teaching in a licensed child care center with children 12 months – 5 years
• Complete required STARS training within six months of hire date
• Experience teaching children 12 months – 5 years in a childcare setting
• Effective verbal and written English skills
• Strong ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability to work with persons of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Very good interpersonal communication skills
• Very good customer service with families and community members
• Required to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather
• Able to take walking field trips
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Able to physically interact with children at their level
• Computer Skills to include use of Microsoft Word standard functions to create, format, edit, preview, print, and save documents. Muse also uses internet to locate and download relevant educational information, and use email to communicate
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• AA in ECE, Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Human Development, Teaching through the Arts, or other related ECE field, or CDA
• Experience working with special needs children
• Bilingual Spanish candidates
• Knowledge of Pierce County community resources for families and children
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Able to pass a Department of Early Learning MERIT portable criminal background check
• Completion of HIV/AIDS training upon employment
• Completion of Blood Borne Pathogens training within 3 months of hire
• Written proof of TB testing prior to starting work
• Valid Food Handlers Permit upon employment
• Valid First Aid and CPR Card upon employment
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license
Status: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, medical benefits eligible, accrues paid time
Rate of pay: $14-16 per hourly, overtime eligible
Supervised by: The Muse Director, Lisa Hoover
Hours: The Muse is open 6:45am – 6:00pm 8 hr/day may vary depending on need
Days: Monday – Friday
Please email your cover letter and resume to bmorrison@playtacoma.org
Brenda Morrison, Deputy Director - bmorrison@playtacoma.org
Liz Rasmussen, Executive Coordinator - lrasmussen@playtacoma.org
Together, we are empowering exceptional education.