MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, or a related field (Education, Human Development, Family and Consumer Studies, Child and Family Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work). Two years of experience in early childhood or childcare programs. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Driver qualifications are required for this position. Valid driver license, insured vehicle available for use on the job, and a satisfactory drive record for the previous three years are required. Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Childcare Division. CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire. Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Intermediate proficiencies in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, database software, online tools, and video conferencing platforms. Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form. Demonstrates tact, diplomacy and empathy when communicating with parents, staff and community partners. *ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. Classroom (50%) Ensures safety in the classroom at all times, with appropriate supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure. Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults. Records children's daily attendance, working with site team to determine the cause of absences. Provides for the development of children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional and language skills through implementation of curriculum, lesson planning and individualization. Conducts developmental and social-emotional screenings for each child, with input from parents. Provides follow up to concerns, including the provision of resources, or referrals for children with identified developmental or social-emotional needs. Conducts and records child observations to utilize in setting goals, individualizing and creating assessments. Creates lesson plans utilizing a variety of curriculum to address children's individual goals, taking into account each child's characteristics, strengths, and needs. Works with classroom team during pre-service, to set up classroom environment, and maintain the environment by regularly changing/rotating materials, supplies and props, utilizing the Creative Curriculum, and the Monthly Environment Checklist. Creates a supportive climate and positive environment with opportunities for children to make connections with other children and staff. Uses positive redirection and strategies to provide children with a safe, secure and enjoyable experience at school. Prepares materials, activities, and projects for class. Participates in family style meals, taking USDA required meal counts, and leading conversation at the table to enhance the social and emotional growth of children. Conducts, in the classroom, monthly emergency drills to prepare children and staff for fires, earthquakes, and lockdown situations. Supports team by providing coverage for breaks, lunches, and illness, at your own site as well as other sites in the program. Works with parents whose children require potty-training support with childcare. Office/Paperwork (35%) Effectively uses the ChildPlus and Teaching Strategies Gold databases to enter or obtain information. Completes Progress Checkpoints for child assessment, using information obtained from child observations. Shares information with program administration and parents. Uses office time efficiently to make and receive parent phone calls, order supplies, preparing children's work to go home, preparing materials for activities, and other office work as needed. Verifies and submits weekly Meal Counts and Attendance forms. Staff Development/Meetings (10%) Attends a variety of classes, workshops, seminars, pre-service training and other Head Start Teacher trainings, and keeps current on developments in early childhood education, and developmentally appropriate practices. Attends and contributes to child/family staffing meetings. Parent Involvement (5%) Provides regular opportunities for parent participation by training parents who volunteer in the classroom. Participates in planning for and implementing monthly parent meetings. Develops and maintains relationships with parents/guardians, to ensure consistent and frequent communication. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
