Hybrid EHS Teacher bei Wesley Community Center

Job Title:                 Early Head Start Teacher (EHS Teacher)    

Department:            Early Head Start       

FLSA Status:            Non-exempt

Job Status:              Fulltime         

Reports To:             Center Administrator
 

Supervises:             Does not supervise employees

Position Description: Early Head Start Teachers are responsible for providing a safe, educationally stimulating and nurturing environment for children at the Wesley Community Center’s Early Head Start Center. 

Essential Functions: 

• Provides developmentally age appropriate learning experiences (indoors and outdoors) involving children in social, language, cognitive, physical and group activities promoting social, literacy, self-esteem and self-help for young children.
• Plans and prepares healthy and safe activities and supplies needed according to lesson plans.
• Evaluates child’s progress and communicates with parents on a regular basis.
• Maintains proper hygiene in children and all equipment and space used for childcare.
• Reports suspected neglect, abuse, and medical conditions/illnesses, to supervisor.
• Administration of the Brigance Developmental screening within 45 days of enrollment and the GOLD Assessment.
• Conducts home visits and parent teacher conferences as required for each child enrolled in the center based program.

Additional Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains a healthy, warm, nurturing, safe and stimulating learning environment.
• Ensures that parents sign-in all children on required attendance sheets.
• Labels all children’s belongings and makes sure parents pick up all belonging at the end of the session.
• Serves family style meals and/or snacks promoting good nutrition and food safety precautions.
• Gives directions to parent volunteers during their practicum in the classroom.
• Participates in the preparation for programmatic special events.
• Transports materials, supplies and equipment if required.
• Participates in Health and Nutrition screenings.
• Attends staff meetings as scheduled and reports accordingly.
• Attends training sessions as required.
• Works a flexible schedule, which may include evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Able to physically respond to the needs of children.  
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Able to support through word and action the Wesley Community Center’s Mission statement and the mission’s core values of integrity, excellence and commitment through completion of other duties as needed and assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Must be highly knowledgeable of both best practices in early childhood education child development theory and generally recognized minimum standards of care and education for developmental needs of children.
• Must be able to write and speak clearly and informatively to children, parents, co-workers and supervisors. Especially, must be skilled at communicating important information and learning themes to children and parents. Bilingual Spanish/English is very helpful.
• Must be able to recognize and record children’s significant individual and group behavior and/or changes. 
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; 
• Must be customer-service oriented and able to calmly and effectively manage difficult or emotional client situations, as well as work respectfully and impartially with diverse populations. 
• While in this position, the employee is expected to seek to understand, communicate appropriately and effectively, build a positive, professional rapport with all clients and staff.

Education & Experience: 

• Required Education: High school diploma or GED and a CDA (Child Development Associate) Certification in Infant and Toddlers Center Based Setting or ability to complete CDA within six months of date of hire.
• Preferred Education: Associates Degree in Child Development in Infant and Toddlers (center-based). Bilingual Spanish/English.
• Required Experience: At least six months’ experience working in an infant/toddler setting or other child care experience required; 
• Preferred Experience: one year experience or more working in an Early Head Start Center. 

Work/Physical Requirements: 

• Teachers are required to get a physical exam and a TB test and result within 90 days of hire. 
• This position requires the employee to work constructively and cooperatively in a team environment. Employees in this position will work primarily in a classroom setting where they will interact with infants, toddlers and other teachers to address child development needs. This will require the employee to clearly communicate and use active listening and problem-solving skills.  
• Teachers will be required to stand, walk, reach and bend to complete job duties. 
• Teachers may be required to move children or classroom equipment from one area to another. Therefore, teachers must be able to lift and carry at least 25 pounds unassisted. 
• Teachers must be available to work a flexible schedule, with primary hours of operation being 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; employee may be required to work weekends in support of program services and special events.