Teacher: Infant​/Toddler

Teacher:
Infant/Toddler

Department: Head Start and Children's Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Malden/Medford

Reporting To: Cheryl Milchev

Compensation: $23.97 - $39.61 / hour

The Teacher is responsible for the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher plans and implements the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards. The Teacher promotes the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; builds an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc.

Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

• Provide infants and toddlers with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy, individualized environment and varied experiences that support social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development appropriate to age and stage.
• Balance individual and small group activities designed to enhance children's development and learning.
• Offer open‑ended exploration, teacher‑directed activities, structured activities and sensory‑based play to foster curiosity, engagement, reasoning and problem‑solving.
• Provide care such as diapering, toileting, feeding, dressing and hygiene in a relaxed and individualized manner to foster emotional development and independence.
• Supervise classroom volunteers to facilitate developmentally appropriate learning activities.

• Integrate the educational aspects of the various Head Start components by developing opportunities for children to learn about health, safety, nutrition, dental health and families.
• Develop activities and strategies to involve parents in the educational aspects of the program to improve understanding of child development and facilitate their role as the principal influence in their child's education and development.
• Possess necessary computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Use other database systems as required for data collection.
• Behave in a professional manner.
• Exhibit good interpersonal skills; work cooperatively as a member of a teaching team, with other program staff and parents.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served in Early Head Start.
• Possess the ability to work with a culturally diverse low‑income population.

• Ensure individualized and quality educational programming by participating in screening and educational assessment of children.
• Use diagnostic evaluations to develop long and short‑term goals for each child.
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• Implement written IFSP goals (Individualized Family Service Plan) for all children with special needs.
• Make daily observations of children.
• Keep records of daily care sheets, child observations and communication with parents.
• Attend team meetings.
• Make a minimum of two home visits per family per…