Early Head Start Teacher

Early Head Start Teacher

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children's mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor, the Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for overall development and emotional well-being of the infants and toddlers in his/her care. The EHS teacher, is responsible for ensuring the:

• Health and safety of infants and toddlers;
• Care and supervision of infants and toddlers; and
• Provision of a quality early learning experience that is responsive to the interests, needs and developmental age of the children enrolled in the assigned classroom.

Duties

Guiding Philosophy

• Carries out Mission, Vision, and Values established by the President/C.E.O. and Board of Directors of Para Los Ninos.
• Carries out Heat Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act, and the requirements of the LACOE contract.
• Adheres to professional conduct at all times (i.e. proper tone and language use in the classroom, respectful, proper for children, parents and peers at all times).
• Attends and participates in: 1) Professional Development activities, 2) Supervision, and 3) Individualized Professional Development goals/activities.

Planning and Creating the Learning Environment

• Ensuring adherence to all Policies and Procedures for Education, Health, Nutrition, Mental Health, Disabilities, and Family Engagement as related to the provision of a high-quality early learning environment for infants/toddlers.
• Promoting infant/toddler development in relationship to the School Readiness Goals.
• Supporting children's emotional well-being.
• Encouraging family involvement of the children in an Early Head Start program and support the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Collecting and maintaining all mandated data, records and reports (e.g., DRDPs, attendance, home visits, attendance, emergency cards).
• Remains current on child development practices through classes, workshops, and membership in professional organizations.
• Completes incident reports for Area Supervisor regarding staffing or classroom concerns.
• Completes orientation of the classroom with parents.
• May perform other duties as assigned by Area Supervisor to ensure the overall smooth running of the classroom/site.

CCL/ Early Head Start

• Maintains ratio at all times.
• Completes daily ratio counts for supervisor.
• Updates and implements all nutrition/feeding plans as appropriate.
• Completes and reports any symptoms of suspected child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children.
• Implements the CACFP requirements including, but not limited to family style meals and point of service documentation.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully.

• Minimum of 6 months' experience. One year preferred.
• Knowledge of Desired Results (DRDP) and Developmentally Appropriate Practice preferred.
• Knowledge in Creative Curriculum preferred.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.
• Must be a team player.
• Bilingual (E/S) preferred.

Education and Certification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred - individuals with an associate degree if a professional development plan is created and maintained in the employee's file that clearly describes a pathway and timeframes to degree attainment. The employee must complete, with a "C" or better, at least three semester (4.5 quarter) units per year in child development or a general education class required for the bachelor's degree.
• A current CA Child Development Teacher Permit (preferred). Must always keep permit valid and updated. We will accept a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in lieu of a Child Development Teacher Permit.

Other Requirements

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).
• DOJ clearance and all other required background checks.
• Understanding of and ability to use technology such as data systems, pay roll systems, and other agency required programs.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Child Development employees must be able to perform the following physical activities:

• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that may occur in the child development center or on the playground.
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary.
• Reach a child 20 to 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person's health.
• Crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.