Head Start Associate Teacher

Employment and Location

• Full time
• Sedalia, MO
• Pettis County

The Head Start Associate Teacher is responsible for supporting the learning environments, experiences, and instruction appropriate to their students’ needs in social, emotional, physical, approaches to learning and cognitive development.

• Demonstrates respect for the capabilities, backgrounds and cultural differences of families, children, coworkers, and the public consistent with trauma‑informed practices regardless of race, color, religion, or disability.
• Follows the agency’s cultural competencies and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Develops and maintains respectful relationships with families and children to ensure the daily needs of children are met through responsive caregiving practices.
• Supports the Head Start Teacher in implementing a curriculum that complies with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), Performance Standards, Missouri Accreditation requirements, state regulatory guidelines and Center for Human Services (CHS) policies and procedures.
• Assists in developing and implementing both individual school readiness and group lesson plans that reflect parent input and cultural relevance and which promote the learning domains found in the ELOF.
• Follows a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, free play, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, routine care, family‑style meals and effective transitions between activities using principles supporting a high‑quality environment for infants and toddlers.
• Ensures ratios are always met.
• In consultation with supervisor and coach develops own professional development goals and coaching/training plans and actively pursues those goals.
• Supports the Head Start Teacher as needed to enter data and documentation into Child Plus and Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) assessment.
• Ensures files are confidentially maintained and that a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio for each child, including weekly observations, examples of the child’s work, child individual/coping plan and child’s individual goals, is kept up to date.
• Completes training as stated by CHS policy HRD‑P‑022 – Training.
• Promotes a positive safety culture and ensures safe work practices and policies for this position are reviewed and followed.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and at a minimum one of the following: completion of the Preschool CDA credential or comparable credential or a degree from an accredited college in a directly related field, and experience working with young children is preferred, or the ability to obtain a CDA within 6 months of hire. Must attend continuing training classes designed to broaden professionalism, education and skill involving childcare and child development as required by Federal and State regulations.
  
  Credentials must be maintained as a term of employment.

CDA required, within 1 year of hire, High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1 year of experience working directly with young children 3‑5 years of age.

• Must attend continuing training classes designed to broaden professionalism, education and skills involving childcare and child development as required by Federal and State regulations.
• Strong computer skills.
• Must maintain Infant Toddler CPR, First Aid and AED certification.
• Must provide proof of personal valid vehicle insurance.
• Medical exam and TB assessment is required prior to hire and again every 5 years.
• Background screening to include fingerprinting is required prior to hire and again every 5 years.

• Knowledge of Paycom platform, Child Plus, Creative Curriculum, DRDP and Head Start performance standards preferred.

FT (35 hrs./wk) Mon‑Fri: TBD

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, Vision, Supplemental, and Life
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Credit Union, Gym Discounts, and Student Loan Forgiveness

CHS offers best‑in‑industry benefits.  to…