Early Childhood Educator

AVANCE Austin Inc•Austin, TX

109d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Early Childhood Educator provides a safe, educationally stimulating, and nurturing environment for children at AVANCE-Austin service sites and teaches developmentally appropriate concepts and skills to young children. The role supports children’s development through learning activities, classroom routines, care, and assessment, while maintaining accurate records and communicating and collaborating with families and colleagues. The position may also provide childcare services outside AVANCE-Austin centers, including preparing and transporting supplies, setting up children’s centers and activities at non-permanent locations, and removing equipment and materials afterward. The role may require up to 15% local travel to partner and AVANCE Austin sites. Work is generally performed in a virtual/hybrid environment across home, on-site, and off-site locations. The work environment has moderate to occasionally loud noise. Duties may involve operating a motor vehicle and occasional exposure to biological hazards and weather conditions. Physical demands include walking, standing, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling objects, and occasional lifting or carrying 10–30 pounds. The role also requires maintaining emotional control under stress and working with interruptions and deadlines.

Requirements

High school diploma and/or equivalent Child Development Associate (CDA); a CDA or equivalent credential addressing comparable competencies, or equivalent experience in the field.
At least 1 year of experience in an early childhood program serving infants and toddlers in a developmentally appropriate environment.
Dependable transportation for daily travel to various sites.
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record subject to annual Motor Vehicle Report checks and policy, current auto liability insurance, and ability to be bonded by AVANCE, Inc.
Skills important to the position include problem solving, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, service orientation, writing coordination, time management, social perceptiveness, monitoring, and active learning.
Additional important skills include written comprehension, oral comprehension and expression, speech recognition, written expression, and effective presentation.
Ability to maintain emotional control under stress and work with interruptions and deadlines.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including occasional lifting or carrying 10–30 pounds.
Vision abilities required include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of the AVANCE to College Program or AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program.

Responsibilities

Provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children, with a focus on pre-literacy and math skills that support cognitive development.
Create and prepare activities according to lesson plans and lead preparation of materials.
Follow daily schedules and lesson plans that meet children’s needs and interests.
Maintain classroom theme areas.
Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records, including attendance, health records, and injury reports.
Ensure parents sign children in on attendance sheets.
Maintain a healthy, safe, stimulating, and attractive learning environment.
Support children in developing eating, resting, and toileting skills; change diapers and clothing as needed and teach handwashing.
Label children’s belongings and ensure belongings are picked up by parents at the end of each session.
Conduct and document child assessments, including administering Brigance.
Attend staff meetings, workshops, and trainings as scheduled by the supervisor.
Maintain hygiene for children, equipment, and care spaces.
Protect children from physical punishment or verbal abuse and immediately report incidents to the center director or person in charge.
Participate in recruitment activities, including community event tabling, neighborhood canvassing, and flyer distribution.
Help organize and plan special events, such as holiday parties, Dia de los Niños, and graduation.
Maintain an environment conducive to positive morale and achievement of the project mission.
Maintain participant confidentiality and high ethical standards.
Facilitate effective conflict resolution.
Maintain a positive attitude and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Assist with preparing materials and supplies for external sites and childcare services.
Assist with setting up children’s centers and activities at non-permanent sites and removing them afterward.
Perform other duties as assigned.