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Full Job Description
This is a non-exempt position. Incumbent is this position conduct developmentally appropriate activities for children according to the Early Head Start Performance Standards (HS/EHS), Council on Accreditation (COA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines and to ensure compliance with Early Head Start and DCF licensing requirements. All activities within this position are completed in accordance with agency’s policy and procedures, federal, state and local laws, Head Start/ Early Head Start performance standards and the Early Head Start contract. Incumbent in this position demonstrates sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and will demonstrate proper timeliness and organization in order to meet all duties and responsibilities listed below.
Duties and Responsibilities
Service Delivery & Care
Assures that at arrival each child gets individual attention and is gradually assisted to become part of the small group setting
Oversees the care, safety and well-being of the infant and toddler in care including children with special needs.
Develops daily lesson plans and utilizes strategies according to funding sources requirements which addresses the children’s individual needs (physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs)
Arranges the classroom/learning environment according to regulatory bodies and changes it throughout the year to reflect children’s interest and growth.
Ensures that all children are dropped off and picked up by parent/legal guardian or authorized person whom does not pose a risk and as indicated in child enrollment form and center’s card.
Promotes and maintains universal health and safety precautions. Ensure children are supervised at all times including nap time.
Responds quickly in a soothing and tender manner when children cry or calls of distress.
Responds consistently to children’s needs for food and comfort. Implements individualize feeding plans for children; respect individual preferences and eating styles; sits with toddlers and shares family style meal, model manners and good nutrition
Tends to children/consumer’s personal hygiene needs, remaining attentive to them during routines such as diaper changing, cleaning, feeding, changing wet or soiled clothes.
Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice and models this attitude and voice to parents and volunteers.
Maintains a clean and sanitary environment including the classroom, bathroom and outdoor facilities at all times.
Reporting & Compliance
Completes & records required assessments for children within 45 days of enrollment according to Head Start/ Early Head Start guidelines.
Ensures that the screenings and evaluations are conducted accurately and in a timely manner during the school year per each program’s guidelines and due dates.
Reports any suspected child abuse and neglect immediately. Refers any child with suspected special needs, health concerns and consecutive absences to case manager in a timely manner.
Timely and accurate recording and reporting to supervisor of any accidents or unusual incidents.
Accurate completion of the daily health check for each child. Ensures attendance is completed on a daily basis within the allotted time frame.
Measures height and weight of children and appropriately documents obtained measures.
Ensures accuracy and timely recording of daily meal counts per the CCFP and agency meal count documentation process
Complies with USDA Food Program guidelines of recommended portions, family style serving, and menu/nutrition discussions and activities as well as involving parents in the development and implementation of healthy nutrition habits.
Communication & Partnerships
Participates, conducts and documents parent/teacher conferences per program guidelines and shares with parents’ happenings that affect children on daily basis. Conducts two (2) home visits per program guidelines.
As applicable, assists in training and overseeing volunteers in the classroom. Obtains parents written consent for special events.
Additional Duties
Adheres to agency Policies & Procedures, program guidelines, funding and licensing regulations and accreditation standards.
Completes all required or requested trainings topics and training hours as per DCF, accreditations standards, Head Start/Early Head Start and any other applicable regulatory and as requested by supervisor. Performs all other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Physical Demands:
Regular to frequent requirement, and as needed, to lift children (up to 50 lbs.), including bending, stooping, stretching, walking, squatting, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crawling, sitting on low chairs or on the floor.
The work is in a childcare setting. In order to conduct classroom activities and interact with children in a meaningful way, some physical exertion such as the following physical demands are required:
Noise level can be moderate to loud
Detecting unsafe situations by sight or sound.
Moving quickly to intervene in unsafe situations.
Educational & Experiential Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED;
DCF 45 hours (Introductory 30 Child Care Training Hours, 10 Hour Special Needs and 5 Literacy Hours);
Child Development Associate in Infant/Toddler OR An active Birth Through Five Child Care Credential awarded as a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC).
Teachers that are hired without an Infant and Toddler CDA will have 90 days from their date of hire to enroll in an Infant and Toddler CDA course with 18 months to complete the certification.
Reporting to this position:
No staff
Qualifications
Licenses & Certifications
Required
45 DCF Hours
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)