Early Head Start Teacher, Part-Time, Head Start Department

The Early Head Start Teacher creates and maintains an attractive, warm, and engaging learning environment for infants and toddlers by incorporating appropriate early intervention, learning, and care activities that meet the needs of both the group and individual children and families. This position reports to the Early Head Start (EHS) Area Service Manager.

• Implements the Early Head Start curriculum and Head Start Performance Standards for Early Head Start classrooms.
• Prepares daily lesson plans in advance that include indoor and outdoor activities, are individualized to infants' and toddlers' needs, interests, and schedules, and incorporate multicultural educational materials and activities.
• Ensures the safety policy is adhered to at all times.
• Documents volunteer activities and parent communication regarding children's functions and activities.
• Organizes the classroom according to the developmental levels and individual needs of the infant or toddler, ensuring the development of trust and emotional security; opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences; opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression; and opportunities for gross and fine motor development.
• Ensures infant and toddler classrooms are home-like, safe, sanitary, and clutter-free.
• Organizes the toddler classroom into well-defined, rudimentary learning centers, rotating materials regularly to create a stimulating environment.
• Provides diaper-changing and toilet-training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary, and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Promotes the development of secure relationships with infants/toddlers by ensuring primary and continuity of care.
• Relates to infants and toddlers in a calm, caring, nurturing, soothing manner, responding to all cries, babbles, and talks, using appropriate child guidance techniques at all times. Stays involved with children throughout the day.
• Observes children and records observations in anecdotal records, making appropriate referrals.
• Conducts or assists with developmental screenings, as assigned.
• Participates in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) as required.
• Maintains up-to-date individual and group checklists in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Manages classroom operations and provides training and technical assistance to Teacher Floater, parents, and volunteers as needed.
• Maintains a clean, safe learning environment at all times.
• Provides meals and snacks tailored to children's age, development, and individual needs. Feeds infants according to their home schedule, holds them every time they are fed, and shares daily information about their eating with their parents. Begin family-style dining with toddlers when they are ready, and implement in accordance with program policy and procedures and Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Involves parents in all aspects of the classroom. Greets parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the center, a positive home-center connection, and a family partnership.
• Maintains ongoing, professional, and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and sends home activities for parents to do with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning. Encourages parents to participate in workshops, training, and other Head Start activities.
• Conducts at least two home visits and one parent conference with each child's family per year, according to the program schedule, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports, and other record-keeping and reports, as required.
• Participates in program training, weekly staff meetings, and case management…