Lead Teacher - Early Head Start

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Come join the amazing Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack team!
We are a private non-profit committed to doing all we can in the fight against poverty. Our legacy goes back to the 1960's and we manage over 70 programs designed to help those who need it most. You'll join a team of talented and passionate people who are motivated to make our community as strong and resilient as possible.
Working for Head Start and Early Head Start provides an opportunity to support the most vulnerable children in your community and help them and their families achieve success in school and in life.
You'll join a team of talented and passionate people who are motivated to make our community as strong and resilient as possible.
HOURS: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing all aspects of a quality child development program with emphasis on the cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers. Responsible for establishing and maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Responsible for developing and implementing a curriculum that is consistent with current NAEYC accreditation practices, Early Head Start Performance Standards and NH State Child Care Licensing Regulations. Responsible for meeting the child care needs of families. Responsible for involving parents in the education of their child.
PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITES:

• Directly oversees the general operation and maintenance of the classroom learning environment.
• Designs and maintains a classroom environment which meets standards as expressed in the Belknap-Merrimack Program Plans, Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC Accreditation and NH Child Care Licensing Regulations. Attends to the environment's comfort for full day and full year children.
• Ensures that the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors is clean and safe.
• Maintains the classroom as a comfortable place for all parents and provides adequate orientation and on-going support for parents and all classroom volunteers.
• Ensures the implementation of routines (naptime, mealtime, diapering) as an integral part of the curriculum for all children. Ensures that special attention is given to routines for children receiving full day child care services.
• Engages in adult-child interactions that are responsive, supportive and respectful of children's play interests.
• Uses tools such as observations, screenings, assessments and parent input to develop curriculum plans. Uses the EHS Curriculum Plan form as a tool to plan, record and document the play, experiences and themes that children engage in.
• Uses the Individualized Weekly Planning Form to develop individual written goals for each child. Documentation includes experiences to achieve these goals and the materials required to carry out the experiences.
• Uses all the EHS record keeping tools and asks for technical assistance, as needed, to fulfill this responsibility.
• Facilitates the use of interpreters, according to the family's preference when the primary language spoken by the family is other than English.
• Greets parents at drop-off and pick-up and facilitates a smooth transition between home and center.
• Enters all pertinent child and family information into Child Plus for primary care group.
• Keeps portfolios and child observations up-to-date for primary care group.
• Works with Cook and Health/Nutrition Specialist to ensure a quality food service and nutrition program, according to the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Works with Part C and LEA specialists and Education/Disabilities Specialist- Birth-3 to ensure a quality program for children with disabilities. Facilitates the inclusion of all children to ensure that a natural learning environment is provided. Implements the goals of each child's IFSP/IEP.
• Ensures appropriate staffing requirements.
• Works with the Mental Health Specialist/Consultant to ensure the emotional health and well-being of each child in primary care group.
• Provides daily communication with parents including daily written Infant/Toddler Tales for children enrolled in their primary care group. Communicates sensitively with parents, listening to their concerns so that parents' ideas and priorities are incorporated into both classroom plans and parent training opportunities.
• Meets with parents, managers/specialists or preschool teachers and home visitors/family service workers to facilitate smooth transitions both into and out of the program.
• Communicates and meets with the Home Visitor or Family Service Worker regularly regarding family goals and children's needs, children's absences and parent meetings. Completes applicable sections of the Family Staffing forms.
• Accomplishes a minimum of two home visits and two conferences annually with families enrolled in the center-based option. Maintains more frequent contact with each family as needed or requested. Completes all necessary documentation.
• Completes center records for attendance, meals counts, fire drills, in-kind contributions and daily parent sign in and sign out sheets.
• Reports suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to Family and Community Services Manager and to DCYF Central Intake at 1-800-894-5533.
• Transports children in own vehicle if an emergency situation arises.
• Supports all parent activities at the Center including the parent committee.
• Actively participates in staff meetings and EHS Teacher meetings and attends All Staff trainings and CAP events as they relate to the improvement of services to income eligible families.
• Directly supervises the professional growth and daily activities of the teacher and float position. Schedules and documents regular supervision meetings with teacher.
• Continues to gain knowledge and expertise in child development and early childhood education, the principles of child health, disability, safety, and nutrition; adult learning principles; and family dynamics.

AGENCY RESPONSIBILTIIES:
You are part of something bigger than just your program and every CAPBM employee is accountable for delivering the highest quality of service and support to all of our stakeholders including program participants, clients, volunteers, coworkers, contractors, vendors, and any other individual touched by the work we do.

• Be committed to the Agency's Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Express courtesy and willingness to assist others while providing positive, prompt, and quality assistance to all CAPBM stakeholders.
• Maintain adequate knowledge of all CAPBM programs to make referrals to other CAPBM programs beneficial to the participant.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff per CAPBM policy and procedure. Adhere strictly to the confidentiality of clients, co-workers, and internal business information.
• Present a professional and positive image as a representative of CAPBM.
• Follow established policies and procedures and comply with all safety requirements.
• Communicate proactively with the supervisor regarding workflow, problems, suggestions, etc.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment; and attend team and staff meetings as scheduled.
• Be punctual for scheduled work, use time appropriately, and complete work in a timely fashion with minimal errors.

CAPBM FULL TIME BENEFITS

• Paid Time Off - Earn up to four weeks in your first year
• Paid Holidays - 12 per year
• Health Insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Health Insurance Buyout
• Voluntary Dental Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA & DCA)
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Employer paid Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary 403(b) with 5% Employer Match After One Year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program

ADDITIONAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS

• Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Raise year)
• 50% off child care in our centers (subject to availability)
• A Practice-Based Coach, Behavior Support Coordinator, and Mental Health Consultant on staff for employee support
• Paid professional development days and trainings during work days free of cost (airfare, meals, hotel included!)
• Annual Staff Retreat day and Staff Wellness days Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement
• Assistance to Education staff in completing a CDA (we help you through that process and cover the cost).
• Professional Development Specialists on staff to complete verification visits, observation, and portfolio review.
• Many career growth opportunities!

Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Prior experience working in an early childhood classroom with supervisory duties a plus.
• Ability to effectively communicate with infants, toddlers and their families and ability to relate comfortably to income eligible families.
• Ability to coordinate with broader child care community.
• Ability to supervise other adult employees of the center team and effectively communicate and work well with other staff.
• Fluency in language spoken primarily by EHS families and ability to facilitate use of interpreters as needed.
• Basic computer literacy skills.
• Anticipates and responds positively to continuous change and challenge.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalency credential.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for infant toddler caregivers or equivalent credential.

License/Certification:

• Successful completion of criminal record check.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Valid driver's license with access to reliable transportation for required travel.

For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.
Community Action program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Description
$19.29-$24.43/hr