Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Teacher

General Description:

Under the supervision of the Center Manager, the Early Head Start Caregiver ensures the safety and well-being of each child in the program at all times by providing a safe and healthy environment. It is the responsibility of this position to assist in the implementation of a developmentally appropriate plan for a group of six-week-old to three-year-old children as well as to provide quality early childhood education.

Essential Job Responsibilities and Performance Indicators:

Creates a nurturing, responsive environment that promotes positive development of social and emotional competencies. Observe closely and understand patterns to determine possible causes of challenging behavior and implement preventive measures to address it. Teach children new social and communication skills in partnership with families. Works with a classroom partner and families to develop individual goals for all children. Uses observations of children and anecdotal notes to document children's progress and individualize the curriculum. Visually observe and hear children from all areas of the classroom and playground at all times. Develop and implement lesson plans. Maintain confidentiality regarding staff and family information. Maintain a safe, healthy classroom environment appropriate for infants/toddlers. Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required. Other related duties as assigned. Qualifications /

Skills and Experience:

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or an Infant and Toddler CDA preferred. Two years experience in preschool (infant/toddler) classroom preferred. Excellent reading, writing, and typing/computer/data entry skills. Ability to pass background checks and health screening.

Professional and Ethical Standards:

Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. Make decisions based on support principles, theories, practices, and codes of ethics. Contributes positively and articulates the success and needs of the program. Be knowledgeable about and sensitive to an individual's values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, make-up, and circumstances. Be open and honest in expressing concerns, ideas, and information with staff and families. Possess organizational and planning skills. Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plans, and agency goals and objectives. Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in performing daily duties. Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in the Child Abuse & Neglect Policy. Attend professional development classes and training (local, state, regional, and national conferences).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk to or hear individuals in person and over the phone. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Perform a physical inventory of equipment and/or supplies. Lift and move heavy and/or bulky objects and/or children weighing up to 50 lbs. Maintain a clean classroom area, which may require the use of a broom, mop, vacuum, cleaning fluids, etc. Ability to physically interact with children (walk and run quickly, kneel, or sit on the floor, bend, lift, walk over rough or uneven grounds, and exposure to diverse weather conditions). Ability to assist in setting up classrooms/office areas which require but are not limited to moving tables, chairs, shelves, etc.) Assist with the safety of children through the seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling senses.