Our teacher-student ratio is less than the state requirement of 1 to 10.

Our staff is chosen with your child's welfare in mind. We screen carefully to ensure the right person is hired to perform the duties necessary to care for your child in a safe, clean, Christian environment. Several of our teachers hold various college degrees, but all have met the Social Service requirements for childcare and teacher aides. Three units of their degree must be in Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum.

Child Development Associate
Simply put, a CDA is an Associates degree in child development that is required. The larger the center the more CDA certified teachers they must have. Here is the description from one college:
CDA 120 Hour Equivalency Program
This program is designed for students who are employed in the child industry and wish to complete the requirements for a Child Development Associate (CDA) equivalency certificate. Prior to admittance, teachers must provide verification of at least 480 hours of direct care to preschool children and completion of the Department of Children and Families 30-hour training. The program includes 120 hours of classroom training, compilation of a professional resource file, and a validated on-site observation. To insure the utmost protection and care for Tugboat students, the following have been satisfied by our teachers.

Program Content:
Toddler / Pre-School Care Guidance / Discipline
Food / Nutrition / Safety / Health Child Growth & Development
Development of Programs / Activities / Curriculum Employability Skills and Professionalism

Job Descriptions:
The following represents our job descriptions for each staff member. We hope that this information will be useful for you by knowing what we require of our staff, their duties and expertise. Of course each staff member is required to follow all of our policies and have additional duties beyond what is written below.

Teacher:
To create a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on individual needs, including Christian values. Curriculum is due at least one month in advance to allow for collecting the necessary materials, and to hand to the parents or guardians.

To care for the children with love and understanding. To include Morning Prayer, prayer before snacks and meals and prayer before nap. To keep a variety of stimulation toys and activities available. To allow creativity to take place. To create teachable moments in every aspect of the daily routine, play, art, music, and healthy role-play.

To love and laugh, and provide support to the children. To create a routine that allows for consistency, free-play, snack, beverages, meals, potty time, hand washing, nap, curriculum, and hugs.

To keep a daily plan and to report any concerns in behavior or attitudes regarding the children, parents or guardians. Use daily journals to document any alarming circumstances, as well.

The roll of the teacher is to help the communication between the school and parents or guardians.

Teachers are required to maintain a Substitute lesson plan with a detailed description of the activities for emergency absence.

All teachers are required to have current First Aid and CPR certification.

Minimum qualifications to be a teacher are 12 ECE units. Three of the units are required to be in Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum. All teachers are required to be CPR certified.

Aides:
It is the responsibility of the aid to assist the teacher by giving support and help when needed. To provide ideas which will enhance the curriculum. To aid in the set-up of planned activities. To assist in the routine activities of everyday, such as meal times and potty time.
Minimum qualifications of an Aide: No ECE units are required prior to hire date. However, 6 ECE units are required by the end of the first year of employment.

Director:
It is the responsibility of the director to ensure at all times, the health and safety of all the children and is the constant objective of staff and self. It is the director's responsibility to make sure that steps have been taken to minimize any risks and to provide a Christian, safe environment.

Additional responsibilities of the Director:
Awareness of and upholding of Title 22 Regulations
Carry out health related policies
Organize the center, equipment, and material to prevent injury and the spread of disease
Verify that children are kept up-to-date on their immunizations
Discuss health information with parents or guardians at child's enrollment
Conduct and organize CPR and First Aid training and supplies for staff
Promote a healthy, Christian environment- by example
Acting Administrator: It is the responsibility of the acting administrator to take on the duties of the Director in the Director's absence.

Above all, it is the responsibility of all staff members to have fun, enjoy the children. To allow time for a loving and supportive atmosphere in which the children can learn.
Anyone interested in applying to teach or volunteer at Harbour Tugboats should submit an application to our Director.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Each staff member has

• been certified by a practicing physician to assure that they are free of disabling conditions which would prevent appropriate care for children under their supervision.
• obtained a current CPR & First Aid Certificate.
• authorized Harbour Tugboats to complete background checks (Section 63.2-1724)
• received appropriate training in recognizing and reporting signs of abuse or neglect and, authorizing Harbour Tugboats to investigate any reports of suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. (Section 63.2-1509)
• obtained a valid Virginia driver’s license, maintains a valid and approved vehicle inspection, ensuring that any vehicle used to transport children is insured and has child restraint devices. (Harbour Tugboats does not currently provide transportation for children.)

STAFF ILLNESS: Staff members who display signs of infectious illness will not be required to be in attendance. In that event, they will be replaced by a qualified substitute until their return.