Infant/Toddler Teacher

Families and Communities Rising, Inc. (FCR, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization that has provided early education and resources to families for over 50 years! FCR Head Start/Early Head Start programs are currently seeking enthusiastic and dedicated early childhood educators to join our team in locations throughout the Durham and Orange Counties.

Job Summary:

The teacher, in collaboration with co-teacher, shall be responsible for planning and implementing the daily program activities and meeting all classroom-related mandates of Head Start Performance Standards for a group of 8 infants or toddlers. The EHS Infant-Toddler Teacher serves as the Primary Caregiver for up to 4 children, and is responsible for ongoing assessment and record-keeping, implementing the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, establishing regular and open communication with families, and participating as a member of the classroom and HS/EHS team.

General Staff Responsibilities:

1. Participate in staff meetings, attend conferences, training/workshops, and meet education standards as required.

2. Demonstrate familiarity with FCR Head Start/Early Head Start policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, program mission and vision.

3. Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community.

4. Keep current and accurate records.

5. Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information.

6. Maintain professional standards and professional courtesy policies.

7. Actively participate in professional development opportunities and ongoing self-improvement.

8. Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in FCR Head Start/Early Head Start Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.

9. Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.

10. Be a contributory team member in a positive and productive manner.

11. Flexibility to accommodate changes in job responsibilities due to changing program demands as requested by your supervisor.

12. Demonstrate commitment to FCR Head Start/Early Head Start mission, vision and policies in the performance of daily job duties.

13. Work at scheduled program recruitment/enrollment events during the year as directed by supervisor.

14. Commit and contribute to ongoing program quality improvement through your role as it relates to the following program-wide systems: Program Governance, Planning, ERSEA, Communication, Record-Keeping and Reporting, Ongoing Monitoring, Self-Assessment, Human Resources and Fiscal Management.

15. Embrace advancing technology to improve job performance and productivity.

16. Commit to coaching as a cornerstone of program and staff development.

Major Duties/Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Design, plan and implement a developmentally appropriate classroom program and daily schedule based on the individual needs of the children in collaboration with co-teacher (using the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers as a guide.)

2. Create opportunities for children’s growth and development in all domains through varied but predictable daily experiences and document in weekly lesson plans.

3. Provide quality care for all enrolled children by forming positive, trusting relationships with enrolled children and their families, responding in a nurturing way to infants’ and toddlers’ nonverbal and verbal cues, and using routines as opportunities for growth.

4. Set up and maintain the learning environment to be accessible, safe, familiar, culturally appropriate, and engaging for children.

5. Evaluate children’s progress and maintain documentation of a child’s experiences and development per FCR HS/EHS system of ongoing assessment and record-keeping.

6. Guide children’s behavior in positive ways in both structured and unstructured play and in all classroom routines in accordance with the FCR HS/EHS Discipline & Behavior Management Policy.

7. Provide for the physical care of infants and toddlers (feeding, toileting/diapering, and rest times) in a manner that is predictable, nurturing, and responsive and that meets health and sanitation standards as well as the child’s individual needs.

8. Establish positive and productive relationships with families to include regular daily communication as well as parent conferences (minimum of 2 per yr.) and home visits with families (minimum of 2 per yr.).

9. Provide and nurture opportunities for parents to be engaged in their child’s school experience.

10. Ensure that all applicable health and safety standards (from the HS Performance Standards, NC licensing, sanitation and fire regulations) are maintained at all times. Report any concerns about violations or standards not met to supervisor and correct any violations when possible.

11. Participate in family style dining during meals (when children are old enough to eat at the table.)

12. Ensure daily opportunities for safe outdoor play in all seasons.

13. Maintain health, safety, upkeep and appearance of the classroom/center environment and materials by assisting with housekeeping tasks and routine cleaning and reporting maintenance or supply needs in a timely manner.

14. Maintain classroom record-keeping as assigned for Attendance and Point of Service Meal Counts.

15. Act as a ‘team member’ on classroom teaching team, child-family team, and FCR HS/EHS staff. Share information with other FCR HS/EHS staff according to confidentiality policy and in the best interest of child and family.

16. Provide continuity of care for enrolled children by transitioning with a group of children from infancy through young toddler to older toddler/ 2s whenever feasible.

17. Adhere to the FCR Head Start/Early Head Start Policies and Procedures.

Qualifications and Knowledge/Skills Required:

• InfantToddler CDA, AA, or BA in Early Childhood Education/ Child Development (or related degree with sufficient credit hours in early childhood education).
• At least 2 years teaching experience with children under 36 months
• Strong written and verbal communication skills necessary for frequent written, telephone and inperson communication with parents and coworkers and for meeting recordkeeping requirements
• Commitment to enhancing quality in the childcare environment and promoting developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers
• Ability to be a consistent source of nurturance, affection and security to enrolled children and consistent source of support and information for their families
• Ability to consistently engage parents in their child’s educational experience with enthusiasm, warmth and patience

About FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES RISING INC

Our mission is to educate and empower children, families, communities and organizations by delivering unique educational and supportive services. Our vision is to create environments where children, families, educators and communities achieve full potential and commit to lifelong learning. Service: We serve children, families, organizations and communities with mutual respect. Diversity: We respect, embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of every child and family and appreciate that differences can come in experience, culture, abilities and languages. Innovation: We constantly strive to redefine the standards of excellence in everything we do. Integrity: We do the right thing and we do what we say.