Head Start Teacher

Position Type:

CREC Early Childhood Education/Head Start Teacher - EHS (Hourly)

Date Posted:

10/29/2025

Location:

CREC Head Start North

Closing Date:

11/19/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

Position Title:

Early Head Start Teacher

Reports To:

Site Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Early Head Start Teacher provides directs activities within the classroom setting, including developmentally appropriate curriculum implementation, lesson preparation, student supervision, individual or small group instruction, maintaining the classroom environment, and documenting student progress to ensure effective learning for all students; key responsibilities include preparing materials, implementing lessons with students, managing classroom behavior, and communicating with parents regarding student progress. In collaboration with the teaching team, the Early Head Start Teacher is also responsible for the children's health and safety, including family style dining meal service, on-demand feeding of infants, diapering and toileting, and applying first aid. This position is responsible for coordinating parent conferences and home visits; maintaining Head Start Performance Standards and local licensing regulations, and maintaining all required documentation per state and federal guidelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties/Responsibilities

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in-group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

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.

Statute19a-79-4a of the CT licensing standards states "A designated head teacher shall submit to the department written verification of being twenty (20) years of age or older…", and "A second program staff person who works under the supervision of the head teacher shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older…"

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.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Group Health Insurance Plans

Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance

Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable

Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)

Comprehensive benefit time package

Employee Assistance Program

Bereavement time & Religious Holidays

Credit Union Access

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Employee Network Groups

Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career

Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.