Toddler Primary Caregiver & Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Toddler Primary Caregiver & Teacher

Department/Group: Early Head Start
Reports To: Education & Site Manager
Pay Range: $17.50 – $18.50/hour
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Batavia
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Status: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Benefits: 80/20 Health, Vision & Dental, PTO/Sick Time, 15 Paid Holidays — Plus Life & Disability On Us!

I. Purpose and Summary of Responsibilities

The Toddler Primary Caregiver & Teacher develops emotionally secure, trusting relationships with toddlers and their families through consistent, continuous classroom care and regular home visits. This position supports parents as their child’s first teacher and provides culturally responsive education that nurtures each child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and communication development.

Responsibilities include ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, detecting and addressing developmental or family concerns early, supporting families in developing effective parenting skills, and encouraging parent involvement in classroom and program activities. This role also ensures compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, New York State licensing regulations, and agency policies.

II. Essential Responsibilities

A. Direct Service (75%)

Ensure a Safe and Healthy Classroom Environment

Maintain adult/child ratios as required by NYS Office of Children and Family Services regulations.

Provide constant supervision and serve as classroom lead in the absence of the partnering caregiver.

Implement health, hygiene, and safety practices, including handwashing, diapering/toileting, sanitation, meals, and medication administration.

Conduct daily health checks, weekly head/scalp checks, and routine fire drills.

Identify and remove hazards, report unsafe conditions, and ensure equipment and facilities are safe and operational.

Support Toddler Development

Foster secure relationships with toddlers through consistent caregiving.

Encourage exploration, problem-solving, independence, and cooperation among children.

Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate experiences to support physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and communication growth.

Promote balanced caregiver-child conversations and positive adult-child interactions.

Maintain an engaging, organized, and culturally inclusive learning environment.

Meet Physical Needs of Children

Conduct diaper checks and change as needed.

Facilitate family-style meals, modeling healthy eating behaviors.

Support appropriate rest and nap times.

Involve Parents in the Program

Provide daily reports and weekly newsletters.

Maintain open, supportive communication with families and encourage active participation.

Conduct four parent-teacher conferences annually (two during home visits, two onsite).

Collaborate with families to plan in-home activities and classroom volunteer opportunities.

Support Children with Disabilities

Conduct screenings and refer children at risk for developmental concerns.

Collaborate with parents and service providers to implement IFSPs.

Document referrals, evaluations, and services as required.

Confidentiality & Transitions

Adhere to agency and Head Start confidentiality policies.

Support smooth transitions for children and families within the program and into external early childhood services.

Content Area Integration

Incorporate health, nutrition, mental health, dental health, family partnerships, and other content areas into classroom practice.

Seek guidance from leadership for technical assistance and support.

B. Administration and Supervision (15%)

Plan and implement classroom curriculum and activities in collaboration with partner caregivers.

Conduct ongoing child assessments and maintain individual child/family files in ChildPlus.

Complete and submit attendance, CACFP data, in-kind documentation, and other required reports.

Participate in parent-teacher planning sessions and case conferences.

Observe and report suspected child abuse or neglect per agency policy.

Supervise and provide direction to floaters, substitutes, and interns when assigned.

C. Professional Development (10%)

Attend staff meetings, trainings, and team meetings as required.

Develop and monitor an annual professional development plan with the Education & Site Specialist.

Maintain certifications including First Aid, CPR, and MAT (Medication Administration Training).

III. Marginal Responsibilities

Launder bedding, smocks, and classroom materials as needed.

Supervise interns from colleges, high schools, and job development programs.

IV. Relationships

Internal:

Collaborates daily with toddler caregiving team, classroom staff, and center staff including teachers, advocates, nutrition staff, and bus drivers.

Participates as a member of the Head Start program team serving Orleans and Genesee counties.

External:

Interacts with therapists, counselors, and agency representatives providing services to children and families.

Works with outside agencies regarding referrals, recruitment, and program services.

V. Work Environment

Classroom setting with occasional home visits and community meetings.

Moderate noise level from children and staff.

Occasional crisis situations requiring immediate decision-making.

Requires local travel (~10 miles/month) and occasional overnight travel for training.

VI. Physical Demands

Approximate distribution: Driving (5%), Sitting (10%), Walking (15%), Bending (10%), Stooping (10%), Lifting (15%), Standing (5%), Talking (30%).

Major activities: interaction with children (50%), documentation (25%), meetings/trainings (10%), clean-up (15%).

Pay Range: $17.50 – $18.50/hour