Early Childhood Support Specialist

Early Childhood Specialist

The Early Childhood Specialist provides leadership and coordination for preschool special education services and Ansonia's three preschool programs: Early Start, Smart Start, and Mead School Pre-K. Reporting to the Director of Pupil Services, the Specialist serves as the primary district contact for preschool staff, families, and partnering agencies. The position coordinates program operations, monitors budgets and compliance requirements, facilitates collaboration, and supports high-quality, inclusive early childhood education. This is a non-administrative position responsible for program coordination, technical assistance, and recommendations.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Current, appropriate Connecticut certification in early childhood education, special education, or a related services discipline.
• A minimum of five years of experience as a special education teacher, school psychologist, school social worker, speech-language pathologist, or other appropriately certified early childhood professional.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) and developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Working knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, and Connecticut special education requirements, including Child Find, evaluation, eligibility, procedural safeguards, and transitions.
• Knowledge of the continuum of special education services, inclusive practices, and least restrictive environment requirements.
• Familiarity with Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable early childhood program and funding requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret standardized and criterion-based assessments, explain their educational implications, and support the development of measurable individualized goals.
• Ability to align individualized education programs with early learning standards and classroom instruction.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Connecticut Special Education Data System (CT-SEDS).
• Strong organizational skills, including accurate recordkeeping, deadline management, data analysis, and budget monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with educators, related services providers, families, administrators, and community agencies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold high standards of professional ethics, honesty, and integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Preschool Special Education Coordination and Compliance:
• Coordinate preschool special education referrals, evaluations, Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, and required documentation in accordance with federal and state timelines.
• Support district Child Find activities through collaboration with families, preschool providers, and community agencies.
• Enter referrals into CT-SEDS and maintain accurate records of referral dates, consent, evaluations, eligibility determinations, and service implementation.
• Coordinate PPT scheduling in accordance with initial evaluation, annual review, and reevaluation timelines.
• Prepare and distribute formal PPT meeting notices at least five school days before scheduled meetings unless an allowable waiver is documented.
• Maintain a master tracking system for referral reviews, eligibility determinations, annual reviews, reevaluations, IEP completion, and required documentation.
• Obtain and upload Birth to Three records, consent forms, evaluation reports, and other required documents.
• Coordinate with Birth to Three providers, families, and district staff to support timely transitions into preschool special education, including services by age three when required.
• Facilitate or chair assigned PPT meetings as an authorized district designee, consistent with applicable requirements.
• Review IEPs for completeness, accuracy, measurable goals, alignment with PPT decisions, and required service information; finalize and distribute documents as assigned.
• Monitor IEP and prior written notice timelines and report potential compliance concerns to the Director of Pupil Services.
• Collect and review student progress reports for completeness and consistency with IEP reporting requirements before finalization and distribution.
• Maintain current records of students' special education and related services, transportation, extended school year determinations, and required compensatory services.
• Monitor service documentation and communicate gaps, scheduling concerns, or implementation needs to the appropriate administrator.
• Coordinate articulation and information sharing as students transition between programs and from preschool to kindergarten.
• Assist with special education reporting, compliance reviews, monitoring activities, and corrective action documentation.
• Preschool Program Coordination:
• Provide program coordination and support for Early Start, Smart Start, and Mead School Pre-K in collaboration with district administrators and program leaders.
• Serve as the primary district contact for program questions, family inquiries, support requests, and coordination needs.
• Lead regular coordination meetings to strengthen communication, address shared needs, and monitor follow-through.
• Oversee program coordination involving enrollment information, transitions, resources, and communication among the three programs.
• Conduct regular program visits to identify instructional, operational, and resource needs and facilitate appropriate support.
• Support consistent district procedures while recognizing each program's eligibility, funding, and operating requirements.
• Coordinate enrollment information, registration procedures, referrals, and family inquiries with designated staff and agencies.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, available seats, and program capacity; report trends, concerns, and emerging needs.
• Help families navigate preschool options, registration, special education referrals, and transitions.
• Facilitate inclusive opportunities and meaningful participation for children with disabilities across the three programs.
• Monitor applicable program requirements and assist program leaders with records, reporting, and preparation for reviews.
• Collaborate with Head Start leadership regarding district services, transitions, and shared responsibilities under applicable agreements.
• Identify program concerns, coordinate follow-up, and refer matters requiring administrative decisions to the appropriate district or agency leader.
• Assist the Director of Pupil Services, district business office, and designated program leaders in monitoring preschool budgets.
• Instructional Support and Program Improvement:
• Support developmentally appropriate, play-based instruction aligned with CT ELDS and applicable program frameworks.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance regarding differentiated instruction, inclusive practices, assessment, and IEP implementation.
• Facilitate team reviews of developmental, academic, attendance, and progress-monitoring data to identify student needs and strengthen programming.
• Support effective approaches to early literacy, language development, social-emotional learning, and positive behavioral supports.
• Coordinate professional learning based on identified staff and program needs.
• Promote collaboration among preschool teachers, related services providers, kindergarten staff, and partnering agencies.
• Prepare periodic summaries of enrollment, compliance, student progress, and program needs for the Director of Pupil Services.
• Recommend improvements to program procedures, service coordination, instructional supports, and resource allocation.
• Family Engagement and Professional Responsibilities:
• Maintain responsive, respectful communication with families and connect them with appropriate school and community resources.
• Coordinate interpretation, translation, and accessible communication supports as needed.
• Support family engagement activities and communication about preschool learning, services, and kindergarten readiness.
• Maintain confidential student and program records in accordance with applicable requirements and district procedures.
• Participate in relevant district meetings, training, and professional learning.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position as assigned by the Director of Pupil Services.

Salary range is $60,900-113,766 based on Degree and Experience. Full Benefits package.