Infant & Toddler Teacher - Hiring Incentive!

Urban Strategies•New Rochelle, NY

43d

About The Position

Teachers promote and advance the social, emotional, physical, linguistic, and cognitive development and learning of infants and toddlers. Teachers are expected to provide a successful, safe, and supervised educational setting in the classroom and outdoor play areas; develop individual goals for children, provide an ongoing assessment on progress and facilitate transition into Head Start or other pre-school settings. Teachers encourage parent engagement in the development and growth of their children. In all work with children, teachers must meet Federal Head Start Performance Standards and Texas Early Learning Guidelines. In addition, teachers are expected to complete a professional development plan that may include university credentials.

Requirements

AA Degree or CDA in early childhood education with infant and toddler specialization or with training in infant and toddler development.
Minimum two (2) years of successful experience as an infant/toddler teacher or caregiver.
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Basic computer skills
Must have a Valid Driver’s License, Personal Vehicle, and Liability Insurance required.

Nice To Haves

BA/BS Degree in Child Development with Infant and Toddler Development
Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

Responsibilities

Be knowledgeable with and adhere to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, State of Texas licensing requirements, and Urban Strategies policies and procedures.
Maintain an open, friendly, professional relationship with all staff and families, including respect for culture, diversity, and ethnicity.
Ensure the safety of all children and volunteers by complying with written safety standards.
Monitor and ensure the confidentiality of children’s records.
Assure an integrated approach to child development that includes all EHS services (health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities)
Healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment for children
Detect and report signs of illness, discomfort, and unusual behavior of children to Family/Health Advocate and Center Manager.
Follow the organizational process for complying with mandated reporting of suspected child abuse/neglect.
Responsible for keeping classrooms, storage areas, and office space neat and clutter-free.
Responsible for following all health, safety, and sanitation policies and procedures established by the program.
Report any safety hazards observed indoors and outdoors.
Responsible always for the direct supervision and safety of all children.
Create a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which each child’s ethnic, cultural, and language background is accepted, respected, and supported.
Use conscious discipline guidance techniques as defined in the Discipline Policy and Procedures.
Responsible for setting up, documenting, and serving children daily meals and snacks appropriate to their age level.
Responsible for maintaining an inventory of all classroom furniture, materials, and supplies.
Develop lesson plans and utilize the approved curriculum, which reflects mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and linguistic development of all infants and toddlers inclusive of dual language learners, homeless children, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.
Become proficient in the use of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and its alignment to the curriculum.
Follow a schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities while maintaining flexibility to meet children’s needs and strengths.
Always assure a nurturing and language-rich interaction and environment that facilitates maximum social and emotional development.
Establish weekly goals that promote individual and group educational plans and that meet the health, mental health, and nutrition needs of all children.
Assess each child’s growth and development utilizing educational assessments and reviewing medical records, parent input, IEP, IFSP, developmental and health screenings, and observations.
Develop child and adult-directed educational activities based on strengths, interests, and needs of children in the classroom.
Document baselines, ongoing assessments, and observations in accordance with the school readiness goals/outcomes established by the program.
Become proficient in the collection, recording, analysis, and use of educational child data.
Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities to advance proficiency in child development and learning.
Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental engagement in child development and growth.
Model appropriate behavior and positive guidance techniques.
Communicate regularly with parents, regarding each child’s progress in all areas: growth, development, learning, health, mental health, and nutrition.
Conduct the required parent/teacher conferences and home visits and share information on classroom progress and educational strategies at school and home.
Plan and carry out home education activities in compliance with all program standards.
Work with appropriate agencies in developing specialized services for children and families as needed inclusive of dual language learners, homeless children, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.