About Us

The Fessenden Children’s Center provides childcare for children 12 weeks to 5 years-old. We are located in West Newton, MA on the campus of the Fessenden School. We are committed to foster social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and developmental growth through thoughtful, integrated curriculum within a safe and nurturing environment. Through interpersonal relationships between teachers, children, and their families, we ensure that each child’s individual needs are met.

Position Summary

The Fessenden Children’s Center is seeking a Lead Teacher for our team on a full-time basis, 40 hours a week for the full year. The person in this role must be able to demonstrate competency in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum that promotes child growth and development in the following areas: language self-help and interpersonal problem-solving, cognitive, creative expression, and social/emotional skills. A Lead Teacher must be able to work cooperatively with others in both a team teaching setting and within the Center as a whole, be responsible, innovative, creative, and maintain a professional work environment.

Planning and Program Responsibilities

• Plan group and individual activities with other team members.

• Plan end of year activity for the families that attend the Center along with other colleagues. 

• Share in leadership and planning for classroom activities.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Assist in the integration of new children. 

• Participate, in turn, in procuring equipment, resources, craft materials, snack items, and books.

• Supervise children in their assigned classroom and bathroom/diapering areas.

• Work as a mentor to teachers, assistant teachers, volunteers, substitutes, 

• Take responsibility for clean-up as required.

• Prepare materials in advance of expected time of use.

• Attend all meetings scheduled by the Director including, but not limited to, individual group and Center-wide meetings and on-site professional development sessions.

• Attend all family involvement events.

• Attend 20 hours of professional development training per year.

• Spend one hour per week with the other teaching team members, planning and scheduling weekly activities and preparing a monthly curriculum plan to be submitted to the Director by the last Monday of each month. 

• Plan outdoor activities and supervise outdoor play.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all the children in care by being aware of the following: 

  • Emergency evacuation and fire drill procedures.

  • First-aid responsibilities.

  • Location of emergency and permission forms.

• Report on all medical needs, health problems, changes in schedule, phone number changes, etc. to the Director.

• Shall follow all teaching and supervision procedures as outlined by the Director.

• Write and maintain developmental reports for each child. Reports are to be done every three months for infants and every six months for toddlers and up.

• Establish, together with other team members, educational goals for each child; plan and carry out curricular activities designed to meet such goals.

• Be supportive of and communicate openly with parents, fellow colleagues, and the Director.

• Be prepared and willing to help colleagues in other groups if there is a need.

• Greet parents and tell them about their child's day.  Inform them about any illnesses or concerns related to their child.

• Communicate to parents up-coming events, supplies needed for the Center such as diapers, wipes, party items, change of clothes, etc.

• To develop warm, friendly, and trusting relationships with parents and extended family members, encouraging them to feel welcome and comfortable within the Center.

Staff Responsibilities

• Assist the Director with training exercises when needed.

• Assume Director's responsibilities when not on-site.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education; a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred.

• Must be EEC Lead Teacher certified.

Physical Responsibilities

• Lift up to 40 lbs.

• Sit for long periods on the floor.

• Stand for long periods.

• Push and maneuver a stroller with four children.

• Comfortable with cleaning and disposing of bodily waste and fluids.

About The Fessenden School

The Fessenden School250 Waltham Street, West Newton, Massachusetts 02465www.fessenden.org The Fessenden School (525 students, Pre-K through 9th Grade) located ten miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest all boys, junior boarding school in the country. The Fessenden School’s mission is to cultivate each boy's talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community.For more than 100 years we have been committed to the education of boys and our facilities, curriculum, and programs are designed with the necessities of boys in mind. Faculty programs include ongoing professional development relating to the education of boys, cultural competency, project-based learning, academic technology, and differentiated learning.

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