Early Head Start Teacher

Position Summary: The Early Head Start Teacher (ET) is responsible for the daily programming for children enrolled at Child Development Center of St. Joseph in the Early Head Start program. The role includes providing developmentally appropriate practices and high quality early care and education. The ET ensures that the needs of children and their families are understood and communicated as the primary CDCSJ liaison. The ET will have strong knowledge of working with children from birth to age three in order to adapt curriculum and expectations as they loop with the children served. The ET implements the early childhood program within local, state and federal guidelines, rules, regulations and laws, Wisconsin licensing, Federal Early Head Start Standards, and NAEYC accreditation standards.

Position Reports to: Program Supervisor

Equipment Used:

Office equipment: personal computers, printers, phone systems, fax machine, photocopier

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Must have ability to sit (25%), walk/stand (75%), routinely throughout the shift. Must be able to periodically lift up to 50 lbs. Must have functional senses/manual dexterity to carry out the job; communicate effectively; and use of office equipment. Must have the ability to deal effectively with the stress of managing emergency/critical situations and multiple tasks.

Environmental Conditions:

Performs duties with exposure to infectious or communicable diseases inherent to care children, and occasional exposure to loud or unpleasant voices due to unpredictable behavior of the children and seasonal exposure to high humidity, heat and cold due to the internal and external environment.

Quality Assurance

• Ensures consistent compliance and meets all NAEYC and licensing regulations

• Adhers to federal deadlines for the completion of paperwork.

• Teaching practices that are planned and executed reflect developmentally appropriate curriculum for children

• Classroom environment is in compliance with licensing and NAEYC standards: cleaned; well-organized; maintained and refreshed with appropriate learning centers, displays and bulletin boards

• Educational materials and toys are cleaned, sanitized, in good repair, stored and organized to optimize child safety and use

• Maintains and refreshes well designed, child-focused bulletin boards that reflect children’s work and interests

• Develops and implements lesson plans in accordance with the Creative Curriculum, CDCSJ philosophy and policies

• Enforces policies and procedures that ensure our compliance with the WI Department of Children and Families licensing requirements and NAEYC accreditation standards

• Maintains supervision of children assigned to him/her at all times-alert to signs of illness or stress; informs Education Director regarding children who may be showing signs of physical, emotional, or developmental problems

Customer Relations

• Ensures each family’s right to information about their child’s progress while maintaining privacy and confidentiality, at all times

• Extends excellent service to all children and families

• Communicates verbally and in writing all pertinent information to assist in family satisfaction

• Establishes appropriate relationships with children, parents/guardians, staff, and the public which ensures a safe environment that protects children/families’/staff rights

• Fosters an environment that allows children, their families and staff to develop to their fullest potential

• Cultivates positive relationships with children, parents and families

• Assists children and parents in orienting to- and making a smooth transition from home to Center and from classroom to classroom

• Solicits information from families about their cultural background and interests

• Maintains day-to-day communication with parents, including interpretation and follow through of the CDCSJ philosophy and policies Participates in family-centered events within the Center and the community

Child Outcomes

• Ensures children have the opportunity to learn, progress and achieve developmentally appropriate outcomes

• Develops lesson plans that are hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and incorporate activities which reflect the interests and life experiences of the children assigned—consistent with Creative Curriculum objectives

• Informs parents of their child’s developmental progress at least quarterly

• Completes developmental assessment of individual children within the class and meet with families to discuss the assessment twice yearly

• Establishes and maintains individual child and classroom portfolios—transferring portfolios as the child matriculates through the Center

• Assesses the assigned children and uses information to plan and execute lessons

• Maintains assessment records including written anecdotal notes on the attainment and progress towards each developmental goal

• Maintains child and classroom records including weekly menus, meal counts, child attendance, and enrollment records

• Responds quickly and directly to the needs of children

Staff Collaboration

• Collaborates with teaching staff to plan, organize, and implement daily program plans, curricula and materials

• Collaborates with classroom staff to develop a monthly classroom newsletter

• Collaborates with classroom staff to plan and implement a daily schedule

• Communicates pertinent information with members of the team and appropriate departments to ensure response to parent/guardian requests, concerns, or issues

Professional Development

• Serves as a cooperating teacher for student teachers

• Participates in meetings, in-service training, staff meetings, workshops and other activities that improve the program, communication, and problem solving

• Passes annual licensing/NAEYC Test

• Maintains required continuing education hours.

• Advocates for issues that impact the early childhood community

• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• BA degree in early childhood education or related field preferred (Staff meeting minimum requirement of an Early Childhood Associates Degree, Child Development Associate (CDA) or successful completion of 12 college credits in early childhood education; must agree to obtain professional credentials within 2 years of accepting the position)

• 2 years experience within early care working in a licensed childcare setting working with from birth to three years.

• Bilingual speaker (Spanish) preferred

• Knowledge of Early Head Start standards

• Exemplary interpersonal, collaborative, and planning skills

• Interest and ability to support children and their families

• Ability to analyze an issue, identify options, and implement solutions

• Ability to work cooperatively with people in and outside of the Education/Childcare Services department

• Ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) and effectively interact with children, their

• family members, management, and staff members

• Ability to respond positively to work direction and guidance from others

• Ability to work independently, managing multiple demanding tasks under critical timeframes