Early Childhood Education Support Specialist

Early Childhood Education Support Specialist

Reference  : 182594

Location :
Columbia, SC

Category :
Child Care Services

Job Type :
Full Time

Salary : $15.65/Hr

Early Childhood Education Support Specialist

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (occasional nights and weekends)

Status:
Full-time, Non-Exempt

Benefits Eligibility:
Employer-paid health, vision, dental insurance, retirement, life insurance and EAP

About Us:

Richland County First Steps is a mid-size nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the development and education of young children. We are committed to creating a positive and collaborative environment that promotes growth and values hard work.

Why Join Us?

• Employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance
• Generous PTO
• Supportive and inclusive work environment
• A meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact in your community

About the Role:

We are looking for a dedicated Support Specialist to join our Early Head Start program. This role focuses on providing high-quality care and education for young children aged 8 weeks to 3 years, supporting their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in a nurturing and engaging environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Treat Head Start participants, community members, and fellow staff with positive regard in accordance with Head Start’s mission statement.
• Maintain clean, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom and outdoor environments for young children.
• Provide care for infants and toddlers, including feeding, diapering, dressing, and engaging in age-appropriate play activities. Responsibilities may include lifting and carrying children throughout the day.
• Completion of daily floater checklist tasks and responsibilities.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of program operations and staff interactions.
• Complete assigned classroom duties effectively, accurately, and within required time frames.
• Assist with classroom instruction, daily activities, and child supervision as needed.
• Support weekly lesson plans in collaboration with infant and toddler teachers.
• Encourage and promote parental involvement in children’s learning experiences and programming activities.
• Assist with parent conferences and home visits as needed.
• Support the assessment of children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Adhere to DSS, DHEC, and CACFP regulations and requirements.
• Complete all required paperwork, reports, and documentation accurately and on time.
• Rotate kitchen duties between Early Childhood Support Specialists
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education:
  
  Minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) or State-awarded certificate with a focus on infant and toddler development is required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in child development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field preferred.
• Experience:
  
  Proven experience in a licensed childcare facility with children ages 0-3. Familiarity with Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos is advantageous.
• Certifications:
  
  Valid Adult/Pediatric CPR/FA/AED Training is preferred

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs, kneel, bend, and sit on the floor
• Ability to manage family crises and maintain professional boundaries
• Familiarity with Pro Care, Child Plus, Teaching Strategies, ASQ Online, HELP, and HSELOF databases (preferred)
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Professional Development
• Ready to Make a Difference?
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Minimum Education :
High School or Equivalent