Toddler Head Teacher; Hartford

Toddler Head Teacher (Full Time) – Hartford, CT

Full‑time, year‑round position. Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week.

The Head Teacher will provide a supportive, respectful, safe, and healthy environment for children enrolled in the YWCA Hartford Region Early Learning Center and plan and manage the delivery of age‑appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, intellectual, and interpersonal development of the children enrolled in the program. The Head Teacher will assist the Site Manager with supervision, training, and evaluation of assistant teachers and volunteers.

• Plan and manage the delivery of age‑appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of the children enrolled in the program.
• Implement all Support Plans and coach and mentor support staff in implementing plans.
• Communicate curriculum objectives, model, and coach support staff in the delivery of goals, and respectfully provide immediate feedback.
• Identify children needing additional support and implement differentiated instruction.
• Ensure that the Site Manager is aware of program‑related issues that may impact service quality, accreditation, licensing, child safety, health, and parent satisfaction.

• Monitor all aspects of the program and service delivery to ensure staffing levels, facility equipment, and material used are fully compliant with the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), National Association for the Education of Youth and Children (NAEYC) accreditation criteria and requirements, health and safety standards, and Child Development Center (CDC) or School Readiness requirements where applicable.
• Utilize the appropriate steps within the YWCA Hartford Region’s Positive Guidance Policy and work collaboratively with the support staff, Instructional Leader, and family to support children with additional needs.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s developmental progress in all core areas of learning in collaboration with support staff.
• Report all child‑related incidents and complete Incident Reports within 24 hours.

• Identify issues among staff in the classroom and implement appropriate interventions to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
• Model a degree of professional decorum and dress appropriate to the program’s mission and values to ensure a similar standard by staff members.
• Provide support staff with mentoring and coaching to implement developmentally appropriate lessons, activities, and environments.
• Facilitate effective ongoing communication between staff and parents in the resolution of issues or concerns.
• Provide performance feedback to staff within 48 hours, documenting and escalating ongoing concerns to the Site Manager immediately.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents, students, staff, and the local community.

• Ensure that support staff follows all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) procedures and documentation requirements.
• Follow OEC and YWCA Hartford Region’s protocols for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Respond to all medical situations and initiate appropriate intervention to ensure the health and safety of all children.
• Receive, secure, and dispense prescription medication per defined procedures and physician directives.
• Oversee the daily utilization of the YWCA Hartford Region’s Name‑to‑Face Accountability and Ratio sheets to ensure proper accountability and safety of children.
• Track, monitor, and maintain program and participant records per OEC and YWCA Hartford Region’s procedures, ensuring accurate completion, timely revision, and secure retention of program records.
• Report and document all work‑related injuries to the Site Manager immediately.
• Remain current with trends, development, and best practices in the field of child care, early childhood education, and the Sanctuary Training Model.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must meet the degree requirements as outlined by the OEC, or
• CDA certification and 12 credits in Early Learning, or have a plan in place to meet OEC…