Early Childhood Teacher - Early Head Start

DEPARTMENT: Early Head Start

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Teacher

FLSA class: Non-Exempt/ Full – Time

REPORTS TO: Education/Disability Coordinator

JOB PURPOSE: Provide the supervision of the Early Head Start program in a manner that contributes to the growth and development of the children enrolled in the center.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE: AA, BA or advanced degree in Child Development or EC Education. A degree in a field related to EC Education with experience child hood development with a focus on infant and toddler development or State of Illinois 04 certification or Child Development Associate (CDA).

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Oral and written communication skills, computer literate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.           The Early Childhood Teacher will be responsible for and maintain the classroom

2.           The Early Childhood Teacher will provide developmentally appropriate instruction to the children in the classroom, on field trips, or on the playground at the child’s appropriate level.

3.           The Early Childhood Teacher will be responsible for providing appropriate supervision of the children and to ensure each child’s safety while in their care.

4.           The Early Childhood Teacher must be willing to administer all assessments used for screening purposes and become adept with the formal assessment system.

5.           The Early Childhood Teacher is responsible for maintaining records pertinent to the operations of the classroom and will submit records, reports or any other paper work within a reasonable amount of time.

6.           The Early Childhood Teacher must be willing to attend important meetings involving the community the program serves:

a.           School Board meetings

b.           Provider agency meetings

c.           Early Childhood organizations

7.           The Early Childhood Teacher must attend all staff meetings promptly at the specified time and place.

8.           The Early Childhood Teacher must be able to involve the parents in the daily classroom operation with confidence to assure the parents that they are needed and are useful.

9.           The Early Childhood Teacher must maintain the classroom equipment and supplies in the classroom and center with care.

10.        The Early Childhood Teacher must be willing to observe the rules and procedures of the agency providing classroom space for the Early Head Start program.

11.        The Early Childhood Teacher must eat with the children at meal and snack times. The Early Childhood Teacher provides the children with a relaxed atmosphere and makes it an enjoyable time. The introduction of new foods and promotion of good eating habits takes place at this time.

12.        The Early Childhood Teacher must help maintain good positive discipline at all times.

13.        The Early Childhood Teacher must be cooperative with other staff, show willingness to help when needed and display professionalism at all times.

14.        The Early Childhood Teacher must observe all local, state and federal rules, which govern the operation of the Early Head Start program.

15.        The Early Childhood Teacher respects confidentiality of the child and their family at all times.

16.        The Early Childhood Teacher must complete parent – teacher conferences for each child they are primary caregiver. A report is turned into the Site Director.

17.        The Early Childhood Teacher will perform other duties as assigned by the Early Head Start Director or other appropriate staff members.

18.        Must be able to perform the essential duties of the job description.

19.        Must have and maintain a valid Illinois Driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance coverage as required by the state of Illinois.

Performance Factors

Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.

Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.

Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works, to maintain constructive working relationships.

Agency Expectation of Employee

• Adheres to Agency Policy and Procedures

• Acts as a role model within and outside the Agency

• Performs duties as workload necessitates

• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude

• Communicates regularly

• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload

• Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position

Americans with Disability Specifications on Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.