Early Head Start Caregiver

EARLY HEAD START CAREGIVER

DEPARTMENT Early Head Start

GRADE 2

CLASSIFICATION Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO On-Site Manager

Employee must understand that he/she is an ambassador for the Agency and represents Agency values and principles. Attitude and personal appearance are important ingredients to public relations and representation of Community Action Development Corporation (CADC). Dress and personal appearance requirements may be made by program Directors and the Executive Director that project appropriate image or impact health and safety issues.

CADC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SERVICE PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

Position Purpose:

To ensure our youngest children have a solid foundation for life. To fully implement the EHS program (federal and state requirements) including but not limited to providing a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for infants and toddlers, engaging families in the program and ensuring all content area standards are met. Supervise and teach an assigned group of infants and toddlers using developmentally appropriate practices. Prepare daily lesson plans including both indoor and outdoor activities that are individualized and based on the infants/toddlers own needs, interests and schedules; and include multicultural education materials and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Child Contact Time

1. Develop and utilize daily plans, organize classroom according to individualized plans, developmental levels, parental and cultural influences of the infant or toddler.

2. Follow consistent routines (ex. Feeding, diapering, toileting, teeth brushing and napping.)

3. Provide responsive care for children. Respond to children’s needs promptly and positively.

4. Supervise and monitor (active supervision) children at all times.

5. Clean and sanitize equipment and learning material, ensure safe environments (classroom, center, restrooms, kitchen and playground).

6. Prepare classroom for opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences and opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression, and opportunities for gross and fine motor development.

7. Feed infants according to their home schedule, hold them every time they are fed and share information about their eating with their parents daily.

8. Provide all meals and snacks to children and prepare according to their age, development and needs.

9. Begin family style dining with toddlers when they are ready and implement according to program policy and procedures and EHS Performance Standards.

10. Provide diaper changing and toilet training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary and developmentally appropriate manner.

Parent Engagement/Home Visit

1. Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parent involvement.

2. Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition in and out of the center.

3. Encourage parents to be involved in all aspects of the classroom.

4. Encourage parents to become involved in workshops, training and other EHS activities.

5. Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and send activities home that parents can do with their children to support the curriculum and the Childs learning.

6. Assist with referrals as needed or requested by parents for children families needs.

7. Conduct at least two home visits with each child’s family per year for purposes of assessment and support according to the program schedule, policies and procedures.

8. Assist OSM with parent meetings as requested.

9. Assist with transitioning children out of the program and into HS or other child care program within the time frame.

10. Communicates openly and positively with children’s parent/guardians about daily activities, behaviors, etc.

Curriculum Development

1. Assess individual and group needs, attending to special needs, specific interests, strengths and concerns.

2. With parent involvement, create developmentally appropriate balanced daily plans which address each child’s specific strengths and needs and include all EHS components.

3. Prepare classroom materials and supplies to support daily plans, change materials in learning centers as needed.

4. Adapt curriculum to meet individual goals for children as identified in IEP/IFSP plans.

Written Documentation and Service Delivery

1. Ensure classroom complies with EHS Performance Standards, OKDHS Licensing requirements and other regulations.

2. Maintain accurate written/electronic records including but not limited to assessments, lesson plans, screening instruments, observations, documents for transitions and parent/teacher conferences and daily health checks.

3. Observe children and record observations and complete the assessment by due dates.

4. Maintain accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports and other record keeping and reports as required.

5. Participate in team/staff/meetings to plan for and deliver needed services.

6. Generate in-kind contribution and actively engage in recruitment and enrollment efforts.

General Duties

1. Attend work on time and regularly to provide consistency of service.

2. Attend upon request all staff and other meetings, trainings and conferences some of which may be out of won and evening/overnight attendance.

3. At all times maintain professional attitude and confidentially of all records and information.

4. Assist in keeping the facility and outside grounds clean.

5. Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies to the performance of daily routines.

6. Follow HS dress code. Appropriate dress code specific for EHS staff:

a. Fingernails are short length to avoid injury.

b. No jewelry except for wedding bands and watches while in the classroom.

7. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or director.

Knowledge and Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, certification, licensing, experience, knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

1. Must relate well with pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers as well as families from all racial and ethnic groups.

2. Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.

3. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethics with coworkers and families.

4. Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation.

Qualifications / Education

1. Must be working towards Infant/Toddler Child Development Associates (CDA) or Certificate of Mastery.

2. Prefer an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with a minimum of six semester hours specifically related to infants and toddlers group care.

3. If hired without a CDA, failure to meet targets will result in termination.

4. First Aid Certification and Infant/Child CPR Certification Experience.

Physical Requirements

1. Be physically able to perform essential job responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

2. Ability o manage physically active children age 0 to 3 within a weight range up to 35 pounds including lifting, restraining, guiding and withstanding sudden movements.

3. Ability to lift 50 pounds multiple times in an 8 hour day.

4. Move, lift, push, pull and/or carry 0 to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.

5. Bending at waist, kneeling, stooping and sitting on floor or crouching to maintain direct eye contact with children.

6. Stand, walk, bend over stretch, grasp, reach over head and twist.

7. Work in a busy, noisy and sometimes stressful environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $10.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $10