Early Education Childcare/preschool teacher

Academic Requirements High School degree or GED, and CDA (Child Development Associate) certification.

Work Experience Prefer 2 years of related experience in the Early Head Start preschool classroom setting.

Current or former Head Start employees, students, and parents will receive hiring preference if qualified. Prefer bilingual (Spanish).

Critical Action Items & Measurables Deliverables Attend all required training, including on-line training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings.

Remain up to date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program including Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, DFPS Child Care licensing regulations and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On.

Work as a team member with all education staff, parents, and Parent Committee members to implement curriculum that is meaningful and meets the individual goals of each child and program needs.

Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements i.e., Collaborate with parents in identifying opportunities to learn about the growth and development of their children.

Promote positive attachment between caregivers, children, and families.

Continue professional growth by participating in training sessions, ECE classes, etc.

Remain familiar with environmental rating scales and implementing appropriate assessment screenings.

Supervise all classroom activities and outdoor activities.

Plan and implement the developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum (Frog Street Infants & Toddlers) and experiences in the manner appropriate to the ages, languages and cultures of children served.

Document and provide Part C Service Coordination for children with special needs. Plan and implement learning experiences that strengthen the intellectual and physical competencies of infants and toddlers, supporting their readiness for school through literacy, phonemic print, and numeracy awareness. Use of enriched language to further their understanding of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary. Implement education lesson plans and individualization for infants & toddlers in accordance with his/her needs, based on a method of observing and recording their interests and developmental progress.

Maintain a commitment to professionalism and continue personal professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices.

Participate in family style mealtimes with the children as a curriculum activity to model good nutrition and proper social skills.

Ensure a purposeful program responsive to the children’s needs.

In cooperation with parent(s), observe, screen, assess, evaluate, monitor and document infants and toddler’s development, health, dental and social‑emotional health using appropriate child screenings, assessments and evaluations adhering to the timeliness outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, DFPS Child Care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On.

Refer families to local service agencies when additional services/support are needed.

Document and report suspected instances of child abuse as required by law.

Maintain a complete record keeping system on each child’s developmental progress, behavior and health, and parental concerns, referrals and contacts made for special needs.

Gather and maintain individual, family and classroom data for documentation, on‑going assessment, evaluation, and record keeping for successful individual and program planning.

Understand, generate and document In‑Kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non‑federal share requirements.

Establish positive and productive relationships with families focusing on a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents of the children.

Participate in the orientation of parents to Early Head Start throughout the year.

Facilitate, provide child‑care, and support monthly Parent Committee meetings at the center.

Schedule and arrange meetings and documents parent‑teacher conferences and home visits as required.

To emphasize their role as the primary caregiver of the child’s education and development.

To support parents with increasing their knowledge, understanding and skills in basic child development.

Positively promote Early Head Start in the community.

Work closely with community agencies, as appropriate, for shared activities, recruitment, and transition.

Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development.

Extensive computer knowledge of Word & Excel, also the ability to access e‑mail and the willingness to learn new programs as needed.

Knowledge of the state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect and DFPS Child Care licensing requirements.

Knowledge of local resources and families’ cultures.

Ability to be responsive to the needs of children and to work well with staff, children, and parents/families.

Ability to maintain accurate records, which reflect the program requirements and progress of children.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and positive attitude in the field of early childhood education.

Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources and the public.

Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.

Ability to read and follow Performance Standards, Program Policies & Procedures, DFPS Child Care Licensing regulations and emails daily.

Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving and sanitation procedures.

Knowledge of current car seat safety regulations and laws for use when transporting children and families in approved agency vehicles.

Ability to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage in physical play in various learning environments.

Understanding that this position may be exposed to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at‑risk neighborhoods, etc.

Ability and consent for up to 50% travel by car, bus, airplane, or train to attend conferences, meetings, and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state, and in some cases where overnight travel may be required.

Ability to work occasional evening or weekend, as required for events, such as home visits, parent‑teacher conferences, parent committee meetings, community events, and social events such as field trips.

English (United States)

the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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