¨
the best place for parents to send their
children.
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a community leader in high-quality early
childhood programs.
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the best place to work for early childhood
professionals.
We believe that a child development center is
only as good as its staff, so we seek to attract people who are
knowledgeable and dedicated to working with and improving the lives of
young children. Pay rates at Child’s Day, among the highest in the
Austin area, are based on level of responsibility, experience working
with children, education, and demonstrated competency. Staff are
reviewed at least annually and receive increases based on
performance. In addition to good wages, we provide an extensive array
of fringe benefits, both traditional and intangible, in a never-ending
quest to ensure an enjoyable work environment that encourages personal
growth and is friendly, supportive, comfortable, caring, and
responsive to the needs of every employee.
Please see the
Child’s Day Employee Handbook
and individual plan descriptions for more details, eligibility rules,
and restrictions covering the benefits described in this flyer.
Traditional
Fringe Benefits
Medical Insurance Plan
The Center offers all full-time staff a
comprehensive medical plan which covers (subject to modest co-pays)
Doctor’s office visits, hospital services, prescription medications,
preventive and emergency care, and more. [The Center pays 75% of the
monthly premium]
Dental & Vision Plan
Optional
membership in the discount dental & vision plan entitles participants
to substantial savings on dental and eye care procedures and
services. Membership dues are a fraction of the cost of conventional
insurance plans.
Other Available Coverages
The following
additional benefits are available to Center staff and their families
on an affordable basis:
Ø Disability
Coverage
Ø
Specified Injury Coverage
Ø
Hospital Income Coverage
Ø
Cancer Coverage
Ø
Intensive Care Coverage
Ø
Universal Life Insurance
Ø
Term Life Insurance
Ø
Annuity
Plans
Social Security/Medicare/Unemployment Insurance
Each pay period,
the Center makes contributions, based on their gross pay, for the future
benefit of each employee.
Payroll Direct Deposit
Staff may choose
to have their paychecks deposited automatically, in full or in part, to
their checking or savings accounts, speeding the availability of funds
and saving the time and effort of waiting in line at their bank.
Vacation Time
Lead Teachers earn
1 ½ paid “days off” for each month worked (18 days per year). Other
staff earn 1 paid “day off” each month (12 days per year) plus up to 6
“Longevity Bonus” days off per year based on years of service.
Holiday Pay
The Center closes
for the following holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), MLK Day
(January) OR Presidents’ Day (February), Memorial Day (May),
Independence Day (Fourth of July), Labor Day (September), Thanksgiving
Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Most staff are
eligible to receive holiday pay for the number of hours they would have
been scheduled to work on each holiday.
Scholarship Programs
·
The Center supports staff members working to receive their
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential by paying the $300 fee for
on-site assessment following successful completion of the academic
portion of the program.
·
Upon application, the Parents Advisory Committee awards
funds to staff seeking to attend special training conferences and/or
purchase books.
·
Staff accepted for the Austin Community College TRAC
Program receive free tuition and books while earning course credit in
early childhood, plus, cash bonuses are provided upon successful
completion of classes.
Employee Child Care
Full-time
employees may enroll their children at the Center if an opening exists
in the child's age group and are eligible to receive a 25 % discount off
of regular monthly tuition in lieu of Medical Insurance. The Deposit
and Registration Fee are waived.
Referral Bonuses
Staff who refer
people to become Child’s Day employees earn a $200 cash bonus if the new
staff member remains on the job at least six months.
Paid Meetings & In-Service Training
All employees are
paid for the time they spend in attendance at Staff Meetings and
required In-Service Training sessions. The Center provides much
training on-site, including CPR and First Aid. In addition to paying
the fees for required staff training, the Center will pay fees for up to
15 hours of additional training. Two times each year the Center closes
to children during the week to conduct paid “In-Service” days. These
allow staff to meet much of their annual training requirement without
giving up precious evening or weekend time. It’s also a great
opportunity for team building and schmoozing with friends.
Home Visits, Planning, and Room Set Up Time Allowance
Lead Teachers
receive extra pay or time allowances for daily lesson planning, weekly
room set-up and annual home visits to meet families joining their group
at the beginning of each school year.
Intangible Benefits
Parents and
administration make a concerted effort to support the staff at Child’s
Day, recognizing the importance of their work and showing appreciation
for their efforts.
Staff Lounge / Breaks
The break room is
a comfortable place to lounge, have lunch or enjoy a snack in the
company of friends. Equipped with a refrigerator, microwave and toaster
ovens, sofa, phone, and lunch table, the staff room provides a pleasant
haven to relax, converse, and re-energize. Employees are welcome to
enjoy complimentary coffee, iced tea, and lemonade. Vending machines
provide convenient and low cost sodas and snacks. A fifteen minute
“covered” break is scheduled for every staff member each morning and
afternoon. Complimentary over-the-counter medications for minor
discomforts like headaches, colds, etc. as well as feminine hygiene
products are also kept on hand for staff use.
Chair Massages
Several times each
year, a professional masseur sets up shop in the lobby and provides a
free chair massage for every staff member who wants one.
Birthday Recognition
For each employee,
on their birthday, signs are posted in the Center proclaiming their
special day and a bowl of sweet treats is set out for everyone to enjoy
and join in the celebration.
New Staff Mentor Program
New staff members
are assigned a Mentor to help smooth their transition into a new work
environment. The Mentor begins by providing a detailed and informative
tour of the facility, identifying locations of important equipment and
resources as well as explaining policies and procedures. A
comprehensive Orientation Book, specific to Child’s Day, also helps new
employees get quickly up to speed. Over a period of months, the Mentor
ensures new staff receive the necessary training and support they need
to be successful in the program.
Teacher Appreciation Week
During this
fun-filled week each Spring, the Parents Advisory Committee mobilizes
our families who pamper the staff with food, treats, and gifts in
acknowledgement of the extra special care their children receive.
And a Whole Lot More
As an NAEYC
Accredited Center, Child’s Day follows the principles of Developmentally
Appropriate Practice, maintains excellent child/staff ratios, and
strives constantly to make the Center a model of excellence for the
Early Childhood profession. Our in-house janitorial and maintenance
staff ensure a clean, safe, healthy environment for children and staff.
Extensive library, equipment and materials resource rooms guarantee
classroom needs are amply met. A troupe of full-time Child’s Day
Staff Substitutes meet the needs for continuity and consistency,
providing flexibility when classroom team members need to be absent for
illness, vacation, or personal errands. Finally, Child’s Day staff
enjoy a strong sense of community, with the knowledge that their
professional skills are recognized and nurtured. |