Job Details

Position Title:     Lead Infant/Toddler Educator (LITE)             

Classifications: HS 01-04 ($21.20 - $22.28 - $23.44 - $24.61)

Hours:          40/week__   __    Work Weeks:      52/year         

Supervisor:  0-5 Head Start Education Coordinator         ____

Positions Supervised: Infant/Toddler Educator, Center Assistant, and Volunteers                                                                              _

Essential Function of the Job

Under the direction of the 0-5 Head Start Education Coordinator, the Lead Infant/Toddler Education (LITE) ensures the implementation of the Early Head Start program in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Child Day Care Licensing Requirements.

Examples of Work

(Any one position may not include all duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in the position of this class.)

1. Provide a safe, healthy, and organized environment for children through daily monitoring of activities and maintenance of the classroom environment.
2. Review and evaluate child outcomes reports from MyTeachingStrategies® and use data to develop individual child and classroom goals.
3. Familiarize and follow all policies, procedures, and requirements as set forth in Head Start Program Performance Standards, Child Day Care Licensing, and Foundations for Quality.
4. Actively participate in behavior management strategies including developing, implementing, and evaluating Individualized Positive Guidance Plans and attending Reflective Supervision sessions.
5. Collaborate with the Practice-Based Coaching team to implement teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children.
6. Conduct and monitor ongoing child screening and assessment activities with accuracy and timeliness.
7. Fully participate in various monitoring activities, visits, and review sessions, as directed.
8. Share child outcomes with parents, as scheduled, and evaluate using goals.
9. Support Family Service staff in achieving family engagement outcomes as promoted by the Office of Head Start, actively promoting and supporting parents as their children’s first and most important teacher.
10. Generate required in kind and complete necessary documentation as required.
11. Communicate positively with children, parents, volunteers, and staff in verbal and non-verbal interactions.
12. Evaluate, individually and with the Infant/Toddler Educator (ITE), daily activities, modifying when needed.
13. Oversee meal service and ensure accuracy of documentation.
14. Supervise staff and volunteers, ensuring that requirements are fulfilled.
15. Prepare, conduct, and document home visits and parent-teacher conferences with accuracy and timeliness.
16. Recruit, coordinate, and encourage parents and other volunteers to be involved in the program and create a feeling of respect and comfort within the program.
17. Communicate regularly with parents by creating and sending home newsletters, anecdotal notes, event calendars, and other communications as directed by management staff.
18. Attend and assist with Parent Committees and Events as assigned by management staff.
19. Facilitate center staff meetings and submit meeting minutes to supervisor.
20. Assist and work closely with disability staff in mainstreaming enrolled disabled children.
21. Complete and submit all necessary and required information in a timely manner.
22. Notify Supervisor in advance if unable to work and is responsible for obtaining a substitute.
23. Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements of Work

1. Experience working with young children, including infants and toddlers.
2. Proven capability to show leadership, observe professional standards, and lead by example.
3. Demonstrated ability to supervise other adults and work collaboratively with staff, families, volunteers, agency representatives, and community organizations.
4. Ability to plan and follow through.
5. Ability to effectively monitor an infant/toddler classroom.
6. Effective written and verbal communication skills.
7. An initial health examination (that includes screening for tuberculosis) and a periodic re-examination (as recommended by a health care provider or as mandated by State or local laws).
8. Absence of exclusionary findings on a Comprehensive Criminal History Check.
9. A valid Michigan driver’s license and satisfactory driving history.
10. Capability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

Required Minimum Training and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development or a bachelor’s degree in a child-related Field (i.e., elementary education, child guidance/counseling, child psychology, family studies, or social work) with 18 semester hours in early childhood education or child development.
2. Completion of two (2) semester hours or 3.0 CEUs in Child Care Administration, preferred.
3. Three (3) semester hours or 4.5 CEUs in Infant/Toddler Development and Care Practices.
4. Successful completion of all training topics, as required by Child Day Care Licensing, within specified timeframes.
5. Completion of 16 clock hours of professional development training, annually.