Description
This position is employed through Families & Communities Rising Inc. The Head Start teacher shall be responsible for planning and conducting the daily program activities and meeting all educational mandates of Head Start Performance Standards for a group of up to 16 three and four year-olds . The Head Start (3s) Teacher must demonstrate competency to perform functions that include: planning and implementing learning experiences; advancing the intellectual and physical development of children; improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print and numerical awareness; improving their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; improving their appreciation of books; improving their problem solving abilities; establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment; supporting the social and emotional development of children; encouraging the involvement of the families and; supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.
Major Duties/Functions/Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with co-teacher or Assistant Teacher to design, plan and implement a developmentally appropriate classroom program as documented in weekly lesson plans Integrate all Head Start service areas, including health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, literacy, and parent involvement into preschool program.
- Ensure that the classroom and activity plans meet the individual learning and emotional needs of enrolled children and document individualization per OCHS system of record-keeping.
- Provide quality care for all enrolled children by: forming positive, trusting relationships with enrolled children and their families and providing activities that facilitate children’s growth and development.
- Support the successful inclusion of second-language learners and children with special needs into the classroom environment.
- Document and record children's growth and development using OCHS system of initial screening and ongoing assessment.
- Establish positive and productive relationships with families to include parent conferences (minimum of 2 per yr.), home visits with families (minimum of 2 per yr.) and regular daily communication.
- Provide opportunities for parents to discuss the progress of their children and how they might assist in the child’s learning and develop goals with parents for each child.
- Inform other classroom teachers and OCHS/EHS staff of all significant communications with parents or professionals regarding children and ensure the documentation of these communications.
- Guide children’s behavior in positive ways in both structured and unstructured play and in all classroom routines in accordance with the OCHS/EHS Discipline & Behavior Management Policy.
- Ensure that the highest level of safety possible is maintained both indoors and outdoors, including maintaining supervision of children at all times.
- Participate in family style dining during meals.
- Assist with general housekeeping tasks.
- Maintain accurate and confidential files and other classroom records as requested by supervisors.
- Attend and actively participate in all staff meetings, recommended training programs and conferences, in-service training sessions and workshops
- Encourage and facilitate volunteer services from parents and community in accordance with OCHS and Fairview Volunteer Policies and Procedure.
- Adhere to the Orange County Head Start/Early Head Start and Fairview Child & Family Center Policies and Procedures.
- Create and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment that is consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable federal, state and local statutes and standards. Report any concerns or violations of Head Start Performance Standards, licensing or sanitation requirements to supervisor immediately.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested by Head Start program staff.
Requirements
Qualifications and Knowledge/Skills Required:
- Minimum of AA in Early Childhood or AA or BA in related field with at least 6 courses in early childhood/child development and experience and training necessary to develop consistent, stable, supportive relationships with very young children.
- At least 2 years teaching experience with children 3-4 years old.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills necessary for frequent written, telephone and in-person communication with parents and coworkers and for meeting record-keeping requirements.
- Commitment to enhancing quality in the child care environment and promoting developmentally appropriate practice for children under 5 .
- Ability to be a consistent source of nurturance, affection and security to enrolled children and consistent source of support and information for their families.
- Ability to consistently involve parents in their child’s educational experience with enthusiasm, warmth and patience.