Pre-School Teachers (Head Start or Early Head Start): Childhood Development Services

EOE/AA/DFWP

Teachers must assume total responsibility for the classroom under the supervision of the Head Start or Early Head Start Curriculum Supervisor / Assistant Center Director / Center Director, and in accordance with the mandates of State Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC Accreditation standards, and Childhood Development Services, Inc. Teachers are responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment for each child. For Early Head Start this includes lifting, diapering, feeding, washing, and sitting on the floor with all Early Head Start ages (infants through three years). The teacher team is responsible for the planning, management, operation and evaluation of the program in their room. The Head Start Curriculum Supervisor / Assistant Center Director / Center Director manage and supervise all staff and volunteers assigned to their classroom.

REPORTS TO: Education Specialist / EHS Curriculum Supervisor/Assistant Center Director

PAY GRADE: Level I HS/EHS Teacher – No credentials

Level II, HS/EHS Teacher—FCCPC (AKA: CDA-Equivalency)

Level III HS/EHS Teacher – CDA National

Level IV HS/EHS Teacher – AA/AS degree in Early Childhood

Level V HS/EHS Teacher – BA/BS degree in Early Childhood

1. Communication:

a. Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and professionally – to the children, parents, staff, supervisors – within the classroom, at meetings, and trainings.

b. Exhibits written communication skills observed in lesson plans, newsletters, etc…

c. Exhibits good listening and comprehension – when interacting with children, families, staff and supervisors.

d. Consistently speaks and writes clearly, concisely, and in a logical manner.

e. Selects the most effective age specific method of communication, using non-judgmental language.

f. Keeps appropriate people (families, staff, and supervisors) informed of relevant issues or events.

g. Discusses children and family information privately with appropriate persons, keeping all written or verbal information confidential.

h. Communicates with parents/guardians by means of phone inquires, daily reports, or arranged conferences ( 2 ) and home visits (3) as required.

i. Documents at least weekly (EHS daily) communication with each family.

j. Asks for help when needed.

k. Elicits feedback from children, parents, and staff and uses the feedback to help in planning and implementing future programming.

2. Family/Child Service:

a. Displays courtesy and sensitivity when working with children, their families, and the community.

b. Ability to manage difficult or emotional situations involving children and families in a professional manner.

c. Schedules and completes regularly scheduled home visits (3) and parent-teacher conferences (2) to share information with parents regarding children’s skills, and to support the development of relationships between children and their families.

d. Responds promptly to the needs of children and families.

3. Dependability:

a. Responds to requests for service and assistance – from families, staff and supervisors.

b. Follows instructions and responds to direction from management.

c. Takes responsibility for own actions.

d. Maintains acceptable attendance and punctuality records.

e. Calls in advance of scheduled work time if ill, to allow for substitute arrangements.

f. Ensures that children’s records and developmental assessments are current.

g. Conforms to Head Start/Early Head Start standards, policies, and procedures.

h. Demonstrates a commitment to developing and maintaining professional competencies, keeping a current National CDA Credential.

i. Completes annual educational requirements including, but not limited to CPR, First Aid, and CDA Renewal.

j. Participates in activities of a professional organization.

k. Attends in services, workshops, conferences as evidenced by Employee Training Records.

l. Accepts and takes responsibility for being a mandated child abuse/neglect reporter.

4. Job Knowledge:

a. Is competent in required job skills and knowledge, including:

1. Seeks to provide the most appropriate classroom setting for each child. Organizes space, equipment, and supplies to ensure that the classroom is safe, healthy, attractive, anti-biased and conducive to learning.

2. Maintains a safe environment to promote the well being of each child and the total center.

3. Consistently assures that equipment is in good working condition, and reports safety and security problems to the appropriate persons.

4. Plans and implements learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their:

a. Literacy, phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness

b. Understanding and use of language

c. Understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary

d. Appreciation of books

e. Problem solving abilities

5. Continually fosters children’s independence and social and emotional development in their play and work.

6. Consistently encourages verbal and non-verbal expression.

7. Observes children, documents data, and enters data into the

Galileo system on a daily basis (Counties Served).

8. Assists with screening children in health, vision, hearing, dental, behavioral, and developmental areas.

9. Annually assesses classroom environment to meet standards for licensing, accreditation, and inventorying equipment.

10. Consistently motivates and nurtures each child to use their natural ability and curiosity.

b. Exhibits the ability to learn and apply new skills

c. Keep abreast of current developments in the field of early childhood

d .Requires minimal supervision

e .Displays an understanding of how job relates to others within Head Start and CDS, Inc.

f. Uses resources effectively, including education resources at CDS and the public library

5. Judgment:

a. Consistently implements developmentally appropriate individual and group management skills.

b. Uses and maintains CDS equipment and facilities as intended.

c. Is able to support and explain reasoning for any decisions made

d. Accurately interprets information to provide services appropriate to the age and development of the children in the class.

e. Includes appropriate people in the decision making process

e. Accurately recognizes potential escalation of behavior before situation reaches crisis. Implements necessary behavioral intervention. Asks for help when needed (with children).

g. Includes appropriate people in decision making process.

6. Quality:

a. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in all Head Start/Early Head Start paperwork

b. Applies feedback to improve performance, based on technical assistance, coaching, written corrections, and annual performance evaluations

7. Teamwork:

a. Cooperates with other teachers in expanding the program to meet the changing needs of the children.

b. Effectively shares information on children or their families with colleagues and other staff.

c. Assists with referrals to outside professionals.

e. Recognizes and acts on opportunities to be helpful in situations outside of identified responsibilities.

e. Contributes equitable share of classroom duties.

f. Shares pertinent information with co-workers, including job knowledge and perspective effectively in both individual and group settings.

g. Seeks opportunities to assist co-workers without compromising individual responsibilities.

h. Helps to maintain group morale.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. A minimum of six months previous experience working in a childcare setting, preferably with preschoolers for HS or infants and toddlers for EHS.
3. Current certificate in First Aid, Infant/Child CPR, and Adult CPR. (Or enrollment of class within 90 days of hire).
4. 30 Hour State Mandated Child Care Training (Includes 20 hour and 10 hour observation, or enrollment in courses with 90 days of hire).
5. 10 Hour Preschool Appropriate Practices State Mandated Training for HS or 10 Hour Infant Toddler Appropriate Practices State Mandated Training for EHS ( or enrollment in course within 90 days of hire).
6. 5 Hour State Mandated Literacy Training (or enrollment in appropriate courses within 90 days of hire).
7. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Bi-lingual skills are preferred.
8. Ability to lift children/equipment up to forty pounds. This also includes bending, pushing, pulling, twisting, stretching, and pushing a stroller loaded with six children, etc…
9. Ability to get on the level of the children (sitting on the floor, playing on outdoor equipment, etc…)
10. Ability to move quickly in emergency situations involving the safety of the children. (Ex: running across the playground to get to an injured child.)
11. Must obtain a CDA National Credential (Preschool for HS or Infant Toddler with EHS) within one year of hire. Once accomplished, must obtain an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education by beginning the process 90 days after the acquisition of the CDA National, or date-of-hire.
12. Willing to complete necessary training to obtain a state Directors Credential, if required.

(Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform essential functions.)