Website Head Start Child & Family Development Centers, Inc.
The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the daily educational and social activities of the children enrolled in the Head Start Center. The work also requires direct contact with the parents to involve them in planning and cooperating with the Head Start program. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Child & Family Education Manager(s) and within guidelines established by federal and state agencies. Positions in this class differ from those in the other classes of teachers on the basis of the acceptable education and experience levels established as part of the teacher career development program of the agency. Applicants must have a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
Job Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions: – Assists families with referral to local agencies for special educational evaluations, preparation and participation in IEP Team meetings and assist in placement decisions; – Coordinates with Family Service Advocate (FSA) when additional services/support are needed and/or identified; – Empower parents as the child’s first teacher; – Educate families on the importance of family engagement in child development and school readiness; – Required to complete at least two parent conferences and two home visits per year with each family; – Plan and attend center monthly parent committee meetings; – Completes developmental and social-emotional screenings on children within 45 days after enrollment; – Implements Active Supervision in classroom to ensure safe environments for all children; – Support the goals of the curriculum by planning and establishing distinct and child-accessible; learning centers and changing materials intentionally; – Exhibits an understanding of Head Start School Readiness outcomes by incorporating them into their own teaching practice, lesson planning, and classroom set-up; – Ensures the availability of necessary developmental program materials; – Documents and reports instances of suspected and/or known child abuse as required by law; – Follows Head Start and USDA nutrition guidelines; – Actively recruits families and children for enrollment; – Plans and facilitates Head Start Center Parent Orientation; – Works directly with children supervising their individual and group learning, indoor and outdoor play activities, music and art, hygiene and nutrition programs; – Assesses educational and emotional development of each child in cooperation with parents; – Designs an educationally comprehensive program to meet the individual needs of children enrolled; – Plans each day’s activities to fulfill the overall program requirements; – Solicits and trains parent volunteers for the center; – Completes monthly reports required by funding and licensing authorities, to include daily attendance, meal counts, checklists, and other required documents; – Supervises and evaluates performance of teacher assistant; – Attends required staff meetings, in-service training, etc.; – Required to substitute in co-worker classrooms in the event of staff absences; – Maintains center cleanliness and order; – Assures compliance with state and federal codes; – Maintains good relationships with other community agencies and partners; and – Other duties as requested.
Education Required: – Child Development Associate Certificate, associate degree in early childhood education or comparable credential; and have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
Qualifications/Requirements: – Participate in at least 25 hours of continuing education each year. – If hired, and when offered by the Agency, obtain the Head Start Family Services Credential; – Thorough knowledge of infant and toddler mental, emotional and social development process; – Ability to work with infants and toddlers as well as with parents; – Ability to plan and direct the work of others, and to secure their cooperation; – Demonstrated technology skills with email and the Internet; – Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports; – Ability to demonstrate creative problem solving skills, patience, good judgment, and resourcefulness in agency work; – Be a team player in communication/coordinating with all agency members; – Ability to pass criminal background check/fingerprinting and health screening; and – Possess a valid driver’s license and access to an insured motor vehicle; required to travel for home visit purposes.
Unique work schedule: This position works 9 hours per day, Monday – Thursday, with a 4-hour shift on Friday. In addition to annual Paid Leave Time, teachers get one additional paid Friday off each month.
