Early Head Start Teacher

Early Head Start Teacher

Job Description

Job Title: Early Head Start Teacher Last Update: 2025

Reports To: Head Start/Early Head Start Center Manager Drug Free Work Position

Purpose The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the established program instructions for the Early Head Start classroom. Staff will assume responsibility for classroom monitoring to include the floater assigned to the classroom, facilities, child health and safety, child nutrition, education and general classroom needs.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Internal Responsibilities

• Participates as a member of the classroom-based team to provide quality and comprehensive services to children and their families.

• Demonstrate a respectful and professional demeanor, able to handle conflict situations, promote trust and a safe environment among clients and staff.

• Ensure that the curriculum is administered and is consistent with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards and curriculum objectives.

• Prepare weekly lesson plans and family home activities.
• Ensure individualization for special needs and children in general

• Provide a responsive and respectful classroom environment.

• Ensure a Healthy and Safe learning environment for children, including the general upkeep, and cleanliness of the classroom and playground.

• Perform proper diapering/pull-up/soiled clothes changing techniques.

• Feed children with scheduled meals and on demand.
• Administer developmental and behavioral screenings and ongoing assessments.
• Make referrals based on data from screenings and assessments.
• Plans and direct classroom and playground activities.
• Administer medication as needed.
• Attend all staff meetings and professional development training sessions.

• Conducts two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences yearly.

• Complete all forms included in classroom managerial tasks to include: field trip forms, child incident report, fire/tornado drills, in-kind (non-federal share), diapering chart, feeding plan, point of service, nutrition activity form classroom inventory family activity report, and mental health follow-ups on all the children.

• Maintain all necessary supplies, resources and equipment in the classroom.

• Responsible for enlisting parents as volunteers and tracking volunteer hours at the center level.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Training

1. Continuous Professional Development to ensure quality job performance by participating in workshops, in-service trainings and conferences offered by the agency, program, region or Office of Head Start.

2. Complete yearly required training hours as mandated by OHS and DECAL

3. Is knowledgeable of and follows program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

4. Utilize knowledge from training and workshops to enhance job performance
5. Seeks, obtains and maintains qualifications required for the position.

Compliance and Monitoring

• Create and monitor all classroom lesson plans weekly to ensure the lesson plans meet and/or exceed mandated child development school readiness goals and program requirements.
• Ensure the lesson plans incorporate the IFSP'S and individual goals of each child.
• Document and monitor assigned children's profiles in TSG to ensure each child needs and individual goals are being addressed by the approved curriculum providing learning experiences in areas such as language development, literacy, mathematics, science, creative arts, and social, emotional and physical opportunities are provided each child (respective of age).

• Ensure the classroom environment is aligned with ITERS (Quality Rated Scale).

• Take accurate daily attendance and meal counts (Arrival, departure, breakfast, lunch and snacks).

• Monitor floaters and approved volunteers in Early Head Start classes when assigned.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Required to possess an Infant and Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA), AA Degree in Early Childhood Education or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field is preferred.
• Must have a clear criminal background check.
• Must pass drug and alcohol screening.
• Must have current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and be physically able to provide care and ongoing supervision of children assigned.
• Must register in the GaPDS (Georgia Professional Development System for Early Childhood Educators).
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Must be willing to use own vehicle for work purposes.
• Must follow strict safety guidelines and procedures in the classroom.
• Must be familiar with child abuse laws and reporting procedures.
• Must complete a Professional Development Plan annually.
• Ability to move about on the floor, bending to talk to children at eye level.

· Ability to lift infants and toddlers.

· Must follow EOA CAP Personnel Policies and procedures as outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual.

• Must be flexible to meet changing demands and expectations.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required

• Strong computer skills, including Windows and accessing emails. Also, the ability to learn new software as needed.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality of the information regarding the children, their families and other staff.
• Substantial problem solving to devise solutions which address organizational deficits or potential deficits in a changing regulatory environment.
• Ability to use good judgment.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability to relate to low-income families.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with age-appropriate activities in the classroom and relate with children in a positive manner.
• Ability to relate to the needs of infants and/or toddlers.
• Ability to accept responsibility for children under his/her care.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to coordinate and assign classroom workloads.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

· Must be punctually/timely.

• Knowledge of educational needs of infants and/or toddlers and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Correct use of English, both verbal and in written.

Position Information

· 10 months

· Eligible for Full Benefits

· 26 pay periods per year

· Position: Non-Exempt

· 90-Day Probationary Period implemented for New Hires, Promotions, and Job Transfers.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $26.64 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person