Head Start Teacher - Early Head Start - Job ID 14403

Essential duties and responsibilities include: Direct the planning, organizing, and implementation of instructional services for children aged six weeks to three years old, including small and large group instruction, indoor and outdoor gross motor, mealtime, and nap. Develop and implement approved weekly lesson plans; individualize educational plans for children as needed. Serve as the primary provider for a group of 4 children; prepare child development materials and arrange a physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers. Lead the classroom team in preparing and implementing a safe and healthy learning environment that supports and challenges each child's development; assist in sanitizing and cleaning the classroom daily. Build positive social skills, maintaining appropriate and positive voice tone with children in the classroom. Promote children's self-help skills, including dressing, toileting, diapering, handwashing, teeth brushing, and communicating needs. Aid in receptive and expressive language development, making extensive use of open-ended questions and frequently writing down/reading back children's own words. Participate in family-style dining meal experience and accurately record meal service within approved times; on-demand bottle-feeding of infants as needed. Participate in all opportunities for continuous learning; actively engage in coaching relationships to promote professional development. Communicate regularly with Teacher Assistants and Classroom Aides and share all pertinent information promptly. Observe and record children's interactions to assess skills and plan appropriately to meet individual and group needs. Identifies areas of concern, intervenes, if appropriate, or provides referrals. Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, or other special need, and report these signs immediately to the supervisor; complete medication administration, First Aid, and CPR as needed in the event of a medical emergency. Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Mandated Reporter expectations at all times; including appropriate physical redirection and the use of approved behavior management strategies. Assess classroom needs for equipment, materials, and supplies and report to supervisor; and maintain the space, equipment, materials, and supplies in a safe, clean, and orderly fashion. Assist in the implementation of individualized education plans for children with disabilities, adhere to behavior intervention strategies; engage in Safety Planning and Response Team procedures as needed. Assist in providing accurate and timely reports, record keeping, and other documentation required for the assigned classroom. Complete all required written and electronic documentation, including accident incident reports, daily health checks, and behavior intervention plans. Maintain strict adherence to health and safety policies and procedures; maintain ratio with two teaching staff at all times and implement Active Supervision through the triad approach. Attend all required staff meetings, workshops, training, committee meetings, and parent functions. Contribute to a positive, supportive relationship by maintaining contact with families through phone calls, conferences, home visits, arrivals & departures, and family volunteer opportunities. Work with the Education Coordinator, the Family Advocate, and other center staff to provide comprehensive services for children and families as needed. Participate in and/or facilitate regularly scheduled conferencing sessions, staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings, home visits, in-service training, and other meetings as required. Greet children and their parents warmly and with enthusiasm every day. Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times. Adhere to the Time and Attendance Policy; will be punctual when reporting to work; calls supervisor when unable to report to work due to tardiness, sickness, and emergencies. Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment, adhering to cleanliness and sanitary protocols. Adhere to SIDS and safe sleep environment protocols. Collaborate with content staff to communicate accurate meal counts, attendance follow-up information, and changes to family dynamics relevant to service delivery. Encourage parent participation and provide support to parent volunteers working in the classroom; work to help the classroom meet in-kind goal monthly. Create, foster, and maintain a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC.Complies with all company policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Infant & Toddler CDA (Child Development Associate Certificate).Associate's degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year College or technical school, or six months to one-year related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education, and two years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Working knowledge of Curriculum, CT Early Learning and Development Standards, CT Preschool Assessment Framework, Head Start Performance Standards, and OEC Regulations.

Travel Requirements: Local travel between CREC Head Start centers may be required to attend training, All Staff events and to support ratio coverage as needed.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 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. Working in CREC's Early Childhood programs requires prolonged standing/movement, frequent bending and crouching, lifting and carrying materials up to 50 lbs., fine motor skills for manipulating small objects, clear speaking voice, good vision and hearing, the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously, and sometimes the need to move quickly to respond to student needs. Staff require the ability to work in a high-energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. Staff is expected to work both indoors and outdoors (as needed) and may be expected to participate in off-site field experiences.