Job Details

 
JOB SUMMARY:
 
This position is responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally and culturally appropriate learning environment for infants, toddlers and their families.  This position is responsible for implementing the early childhood education curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos).  This position is responsible for developing child, family, and health plans with parents and completes ongoing follow-up and tracking to reach those goals.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
 
Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below.  Additional duties may be assigned.
 
Professional Development:
 

1.  Attends all required training and workshops, including on-line training and cluster meetings.
2.  Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program including Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On. 
3. Works as a team member with all education staff, parents and Parent Committee members to implement a curriculum that is meaningful and meets the individual goals of each child and program needs.
4. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements i.e., FERPA and HIPAA.
5. Keep up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
6. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate social-emotional development of infants and toddlers. 
7. Train and support education staff.
8. Partner with parents in identifying opportunities to learn about the growth and development of their children.
9. Promote positive attachment between caregivers, children, and families.
10. Model appropriate communication skills, guidance techniques, and developmentally appropriate practices.
11. Continue professional growth by participating in training, ECE classes, etc.
12.  Knowledge of The Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (ELAP) and other screening, assessment and evaluation instruments. 

Program Implementation:
 

1. Supervises all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activities.
2. Plans and implements the developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos) and experiences in a manner appropriate to the ages, languages and cultures of children served.
3. Documents and provides Part C/Early On Service Coordination for children with special needs. Communicates Service Coordination efforts with the Education Coordinator.
4. Implements education lesson plans and individualization for infants and toddlers in accordance with his/her needs, based on a method of observing and recording their interests and developmental progress.  The lesson plans provide learning experiences which support the parents' involvement as their child’s first teacher along with supporting the children’s readiness for school using developmentally appropriate materials and activities.
5. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline.
6. Maintains a commitment to professionalism and continues own professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices. 
7. Participates in family style mealtimes with the children as a curriculum activity, to model good nutrition and proper social skills. 
8. Ensures a purposeful program responsive to the children's needs.
9. In cooperation with parent(s) observes screens, assesses, evaluates, monitors, and documents infants and toddlers development, health, dental and social-emotional health using ELAP and other child screenings, assessments, and evaluations adhering to the timelines outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On.
10.  Refers families to local service agencies when additional services/support is needed.
11.  Documents and reports suspected instances of child abuse as required by law.
12. Knowledge of and participates in the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes.
13. Ensures that learning environments are safe from hazards, free from clutter, and allow for visibility of children; by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist.                                      

 
 Record Keeping:
 

1. Accurately submits paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor as required.
2. Maintains a complete record keeping system on each child’s developmental progress, behavior and health, and parental concerns, referrals and contacts made for special needs.
3. Gathers and maintains individual, family and classroom data for documentation, on-going assessment, evaluation and recording keeping for successful individual and program planning.
4. Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
5. Responsible for ChildPlus data entering as required. 

 
Parent Involvement and Community Relations:
 

1. Establishes positive and productive relationships with families focusing on a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents of the children.
2. Participates in the orientation of parents to Early Head Start throughout the year.
3. Facilitates, provides child-care and supports monthly Parent Club meetings at the center.
4. Schedules and arranges meetings, and documents parent-teacher conferences and home visits as required.
5. Involves parents in the educational activities of the program: 

             a. to emphasize their role as the primary caregiver of the child's education and development
             b. to support parents with increasing their knowledge, understanding, and skills in basic child development.

6. Identifies and arranges for parents to participate as volunteers in the classroom and work as substitutes as well as other volunteer activities.
7. Positively promotes Early Head Start in the community.
8. Supervises classroom volunteers, including parents as assigned.
9. Works closely with community agencies, as appropriate, for shared activities, recruitment and transition.

 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
 
Direct supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs, and evaluates the duties.  This position is the first step for conflict resolution.
 
Positions supervised:  EHS Program Support Aide
 
Completes evaluations on Program Support Aide with EHS Lead Teacher.