Early Head Start Teacher

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

POSITION SUMMARY:  

Manages an Early Head Start classroom within the scope and goals of COMAR Child Care Regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, program’s identified Curriculum for Infants/Toddlers and Twos and the Y in Central Maryland Child Care Philosophy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures health, welfare, and safety of children enrolled in the class. Maintains appropriate adult/child ratios for the purpose of providing quality care and adherence to local licensing and Head Start Performance Standards.

• Supervises children at all times, adjusting appropriately for a range of ages and abilities of children.

• Promotes feelings of security and trust in infants/toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting and by establishing strong and caring relationships.

• Writes and implements individualized daily lesson plans that include objectives, concepts, and strategies for meeting Infant/Toddler Curriculum Developmental Continuum assessments and Head Start School Readiness Outcomes.

• Conducts individual observations, assessments, and developmentally appropriate activities for the purpose of measuring growth and development.

• Informs and includes all classroom staff, parents and volunteers in daily lesson plans and activities. 

• Plans and manages classroom structure, i.e. schedule, routines, transitions.

• Demonstrates sensitivity, cultural respect, acceptance, and patience.

• Conducts developmental screenings of infants/toddlers’ motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills within 45 days of enrollment and ongoing as prescribed.

• Ensures continuity of care by sharing pertinent information with caregivers about each child and any verbal or written instructions given by the parent.

• Maintains classroom education folders and portfolio-assessment binders for children in compliance with Head Start, COMAR regulations and Curriculum guidelines.

• Assures completion of daily and monthly attendance records.

• Prepares for and conducts at least two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences annually. 

• Participates in monthly meetings for parents and recruits their input into planning for classroom activities.

• Ensures that parents receive developmentally appropriate home learning activities on a weekly basis.

• Recruits, trains and utilizes parent volunteers in the classroom.

• Oversees classroom staff, including advising on classroom issues. 

• Assures that all written communication from the Education Service Area is shared with the classroom team in a timely manner (memo regarding assessments, training, meetings, etc.)

• Monitors classroom supplies and submits orders to the Education Departments when needed.

• Maintains a neat, appealing, clean classroom and center (including bathrooms, floors, etc).

• Attends and actively participates in Early Head Start, Head Start and Curriculum training to continue professional growth.

• Models professional behavior and adherence to Y of Central Maryland Baltimore County Head Start policies and procedures through behavior, appearance, and attitude.

• Model positive interactions with infants and toddlers to promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.

• Observes infants and toddlers to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, emotional disturbance, or other special needs, and reports these signs immediately to the Zone Manager.

• Work with EHS and Head Start Managers to provide developmentally appropriate Early Intervention services.

• Attend case management meetings, parent conferences, case reviews, IEP/IFSP meetings, transition meetings, staff meetings, parent meetings, in-service and pre-service meetings, and other meetings as directed.

• Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance. 

• Takes advantage of training opportunities to continue professional growth.

• May act as point of contact between classroom and Zone Manager.

• Models professional behavior and adherence to Y of Central Maryland Baltimore County Head Start policies and procedures through behavior, appearance, and attitude.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must obtain a valid criminal background check.

• Must obtain a pre-employment physical including a TB test.

• Must have access to reliable transportation. 

Education

• Infant/Toddler CDA (or) 6 semester (90 clock hours) or equivalent of approved Early Childhood coursework and 3 semesters (45 clock hours) or equivalent approved infant/toddler coursework required

Experience

• Experience with data entry preferred.

• One year supervised early childhood experience required – two years preferred.

Certifications

• Possess Pediatric First Aid and CPR certificate or obtain within 90 days of employment

The Y in Central Maryland provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. Moreover, the Y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. We strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. Thank you for considering working for the Y in Central Maryland. If being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.