Infant Development Specialist

Catalyst Kids•Menifee, CA

About The Position

The Infant Development Specialist supports the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst’s program for children from birth to age three. Specialists move with their group of children from program entry until transition to preschool, supporting development, maintaining continuity of care, building family relationships, and helping establish a trajectory for future school success. They facilitate age-appropriate experiences that support social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development while ensuring children are supervised in a healthy and safe environment. The role includes creating individualized curriculum and small-group experiences based on children’s interests and development; maintaining intentional, enriched learning environments; and providing nurturing, culturally responsive care. Specialists communicate children’s progress and developmental milestones to families, collaborate with colleagues, and may direct or supervise other members of the teaching team. Education and permit requirements can vary by center needs.

Requirements

At least three units specifically in Infant/Toddler (ages zero to three) development; education and permit requirements may vary by center needs.
24 units in child development, early childhood development, or a related field, plus 16 general education units, as one listed education pathway.
An associate degree in ECE, CD, or a related field from a nationally accredited college, as a listed education pathway.
A bachelor’s degree in ECE, CD, or a related field from a nationally accredited college or university, as a listed education pathway.
A Teacher or higher Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Any degree must include at least three units specifically in Infant/Toddler (ages zero to three).
Effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, classroom-management, and communication skills with children and families.
Organization, time-management, curriculum, and assessment-documentation skills, including individualized lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.
Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
Ability to interact physically and mentally with children ages zero to three, meet their needs, and ensure their safety.
Ability to hold, lift, diaper, and nurture infants and toddlers during caregiving routines; frequently bend, lift, twist, reach, push, and pull; and push, lift, carry, or hold objects up to 15 pounds individually or with a team.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in weather conditions safe for children, traverse varied terrain and heights depending on the school environment, and adapt to children’s physical level for activities and interactions.
Availability to work Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in a group-care environment providing care or teaching to a consistent age group.
One year of experience supervising adults or equivalent.
Adult Supervision units.
Current adult and infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
Bilingual or multilingual ability, based on individual center needs.

Responsibilities

Create and implement individualized, developmentally appropriate curriculum and small-group experiences connected to infants’ and toddlers’ interests and development.
Apply learning frameworks and foundations that promote positive, holistic, and culturally responsive practices.
Understand the growth and development of children ages zero to three and meet their needs based on developmental age.
Keep children healthy and safe through appropriate supervision, compliance with regulations, positive interactions, healthy habits, and nurturing relationships.
Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments connected to curriculum and quality experiences.
Adapt environments to children’s developmental needs as they grow during their first three years.
Establish and maintain authentic, reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, families, communities, and classroom teams.
Complete daily reports and continually evaluate and communicate each child’s progress and developmental milestones to families.
Collaborate with colleagues to provide high-quality programs and creative workplaces.
Supervise children during classroom activities and community walks, and maintain safe indoor and outdoor environments.
Inspect environments for hazards, take preventive action, report health and safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm when providing first aid during emergencies.
Direct or supervise other members of the teaching team as needed.