417 Early Learning Center
Employee Handbook

Please read through the handbook before beginning your employment.   All employees are responsible for knowing the policies, procedures, and guidelines of 417 Early.  Employees are also responsible for ensuring all paperwork, medical exams, and TB tests are turned in promptly or they will be terminated.

Dress Code
Staff members should wear clothes that they know may get dirty during the course of their work.  Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended.  Teachers are expected to be dressed appropriately without excessive skin showing.  Holey or stained items are not allowed.  Short shorts are also not allowed.  Shirts will be free of profanity or inappropriate content.

Raises
Staff will be considered for raises periodically after the 90 day probationary period.  Raises are strictly merit-based and at the discretion of the director.  Exemplary performance may result in more than one raise per year.

Payroll
Staff will be paid weekly after the first week of employment.  Paychecks are available for pick-up on Friday after 8 am.  The pay cycle will begin the first day of employment with the employee being paid the following Friday for that first week.  The last paycheck will be paid the Friday following (one week after the last day of employment.)  Direct Deposits are not available at this time.  All FT employees will be paid salary after the 90 day probationary period.   PT employees will be paid hourly but are eligible for salary pay after a probationary period of 120 days.

Vacation, Sick Leave, & Calling In
All staff members are entitled to two weeks of paid vacation leave as well as one week of paid sick leave.  All vacation days are to be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.  All staff members are required to call Assistant Director &/or Director if they are sick and unable to work ASAP.  Text messages are fine if needing to provide notice late at night.  If opening the center, you must call in the evening before so arrangements can be made for your shift.

Parking
Employees are to park in designated area only.  If they are parked outside of the specified area, they will need to move their vehicle ASAP.  A designated parking spot will be available for the Employee of the Month.

Meetings and Training
There will be monthly mandatory meetings.  Employees that are salary will not be paid for attending, but hourly employees will be compensated.  All staff members will be required to meet their 12 training hours every year.  There will be plenty of opportunities to meet these hours at the center and are free of charge.  There will be monthly training sessions with the Health Dept. and periodic training provided in-house as well.  If staff members are unable or unwilling to meet their training hours by the date specified, they will be suspended until these hours are met.

Reimbursement for TB Tests/Medical Exams
Staff members will be reimbursed for their TB tests and Medical exams after being employed 30 days, as long as a receipt is provided.

Scheduling
Staff schedules will be posted every Thursday in the office and/or employee area.  Schedules may be adjusted daily as staffing needs change due to  classroom numbers.  Management will make every effort possible for teachers to leave when scheduled to be off.

Ethical Behavior
Employees are encouraged to have their cell phones on them at all times.  It is important for parent-teacher communication and to let management know of any issues if teacher is unable to leave the room.  

All staff members should respect the confidentiality of all families at the center.  If personal information about children or families in the center is disclosed to people outside of the center, this is grounds for immediate dismissal.  

All employees are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.  If employees notice any suspicious behavior, bruising or injuries, or other signs of abuse/neglect they are required by law to report these observances.  The hotline number will be listed on contact sheet provided.
If a staff member has an issue or complaint about the behavior or actions of anyone at the center, they must alert the director or assistant director ASAP.  If they do not want to discuss these issues at the center, they are welcome to contact management after hours.  All information will be kept confidential.  Issues will be resolved in a timely manner.

Job Descriptions

Floater
-  Must be flexible and have some knowledge of child development for ages 6 weeks  - 12 years since they are placed in different rooms daily
- Responsible for coordinating activities and lessons based on the lead teacher’s established schedule and/or lesson plan if there is not an assistant teacher or co-lead
-  Classroom management routines and procedures that are already established for the current classroom they are in must be observed
-  Common sense should be used to problem solve behaviors and or situations that arise while in the room
-  Knowledge of sanitary and other licensing information will be required
-  Center procedures for paperwork and filling out incident reports, etc. should be observed at all times
-  Models positive behaviors at all times

Assistant /Co-Lead Teacher
-  Responsible for performing cleaning tasks as specified on cleaning checklist
-   Knowledgeable in all aspects of the classroom including schedule, classroom management procedures, lesson plans, filling out required forms, etc.
-  Works cooperatively with lead/co-lead to ensure all lessons and activities meet specifications supplied by 417 Early
-  Models positive behaviors at all times
-  Common sense should be used to problem-solve behaviors and or situations that arise while in the room
-  Knowledge of sanitary and other licensing information will be required
-  Center procedures for paperwork and filling out incident reports, etc. should be observed at all times
-  Provides a welcoming, warm environment for the children in the classroom
-  Works to provide positive guidance with behavior issues
-  Ability to take initiative with all aspects of the classroom
-  Knowledgeable about child development for all ages specifically the age group of the classroom assigned
-  Competently handles relationships with other staff members and parents
-  Provides appropriate interactions with all children in the classroom throughout the day

Lead Teacher
-  Responsible for performing cleaning tasks as specified on cleaning checklist
-   Knowledgeable in all aspects of the classroom including schedule, classroom management procedures, lesson plans, filling out required forms, etc.  
-  Responsible for implementing procedures and classroom management techniques
-  Ability to implement and orchestrate all aspects of the learning of the children in their classroom
-  Works cooperatively with assistant/co-lead to ensure all lessons and activities meet specifications supplied by 417 Early
-  Models positive behaviors at all times
-  Common sense should be used to problem-solve behaviors and or situations that arise while in the room
-  Knowledge of sanitary and other licensing information will be required
-  Center procedures for paperwork and filling out incident reports, etc. should be observed at all times
-  Provides a welcoming, warm environment for the children in the classroom
-  Works to provide positive guidance with behavior issues
-  Ability to take initiative with all aspects of the classroom, and to work cooperatively with other staff members in the classroom
-  Knowledgeable about child development for all ages specifically the age group of the classroom assigned
-  Competently handles relationships with other staff members and parents
-  Provides appropriate interactions with all children in the classroom throughout the day
-  Responsible for turning in all required paperwork daily or weekly

Assistant Director
-  Knowledge of sanitary and other licensing information will be required
-  Center procedures for classroom paperwork and filling out incident reports, etc. should be observed at all times
-  Models positive behaviors at all times
-  At times will be required to fill-in for other staff members as needed
-  Knowledgeable in all aspects of the classroom for the teacher they are filling in for including schedule, classroom management procedures, lesson plans, filling out required forms, etc.
-  Able to work cooperatively with all other staff members to perform tasks and goals
-  Ability to follow established office procedures for getting tasks done
-  Takes initiative to create procedures as needed
-  Knowledgeable with center wide policies and procedures; able to discuss these with the parents and staff  
-  Provides a warm, welcoming presence to staff and families

Director
-  Knowledge of sanitary and other licensing information will be required
-  Center procedures for classroom paperwork and filling out incident reports, etc. should be observed at all times
-  Models positive behaviors at all times
-  At times will be required to fill-in for other staff members as needed
-  Knowledgeable in all aspects of the classroom for the teacher they are filling in for including schedule, classroom management procedures, lesson plans, filling out required forms, etc.
-  Able to work cooperatively with all other staff members to perform tasks and goals
-  Takes initiative to create procedures as needed
-  Knowledgeable with center wide policies and procedures; able to discuss these with the parents and staff  
-  Provides a warm, welcoming presence to staff and families
-  Tracks family accounts, posts payments, prepares food program information, handles all monthly accounting tasks for food program and state assistance collections
-  Prepares all marketing materials, updates center wide information and websites in a timely fashion, and coordinates all advertising
-  Ensures the center is running smoothly and all teaching staff are meeting tasks designated by job description
-  Manages employees, hires/terminates employees, and handles all issues with employees as well as families
-  Handles all aspects of enrolling new families and hiring new employees

The above job descriptions are to provide a framework for staff to work from.  New tasks and required duties may be added or changed as needed.