Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher (Early Head Start)

EASTER SEALS NORTH GEORGIA•Atlanta, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher facilitates quality, individualized early childhood education by implementing developmentally appropriate practices in an inclusive environment. Under the direct supervision of the Center Manager, the teacher works with Early Childhood Specialists to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s growth and development, promote social competence, and involve parents in all aspects of the program. The position maintains a positive work atmosphere and excellent attendance. It plans individualized, developmentally and linguistically appropriate activities; checks classroom and outdoor areas for safety; organizes the classroom for learning, eating, resting, and play; and provides a predictable daily schedule. The teacher accompanies children to and from buses, playgrounds, and off-site activities while maintaining attendance checks and head counts, and maintains staff and classroom ratios. Infant and toddler care includes meeting toileting, diapering, and feeding needs, as well as following current safe-sleep guidance to reduce the risk of SIDS. The teacher maintains communication with children, families, teaching staff, the Center Manager, and community organizations; completes weekly classroom health and safety checklists and program reports; and keeps accurate, confidential educational and nutritional records. The role supports compliance with Georgia licensing requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards, and Head Start Performance Standards, and assists with child transitions, family advocacy, school visits, and connections to community resources. The teacher also participates in required trainings and completes required training hours. Other duties may be assigned by management.

Requirements

A minimum of a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential with an Infant/Toddler endorsement, or a TCC, TCD, or higher degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, or a very closely related field.
Excellent punctuality and attendance.
Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere through appropriate communication and interactions with customers, clients, co-workers, and management.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally and linguistically appropriate activities that recognize and support each child’s rate of development.
Assess the safety of classrooms and outdoor play areas before activities.
Organize classroom areas for learning, eating, resting, and playing in accordance with the Creative Curriculum, licensing regulations, and NAEYC accreditation standards.
Provide a well-defined daily schedule of individualized child- and teacher-initiated activities.
Accompany children to and from the bus, playground, and off-site activities while maintaining attendance checks and head counts.
Maintain staff and classroom ratios at all times.
Address toileting and diapering according to individual children’s needs, and feed infants and toddlers on demand when possible at appropriate intervals.
Follow current guidelines for reducing the risk of SIDS and ensuring safe infant sleep.
Maintain a communication plan among children, families, teaching staff, the Center Manager, and community organizations.
Support and participate in the organization’s values and mission.
Complete weekly classroom Health and Safety Checklists and monitor and report accurate program numbers for weekly reports.
Maintain accurate, updated, and confidential educational and nutritional records for children.
Follow policies and procedures supporting Georgia licensure, NAEYC accreditation, and Head Start Performance Standards.
Assist with child transition plans, parent advocacy, cross-training and transition-related information sharing, feeder-school visits, and connecting parents with community resources.
Participate in mandatory pre-service, in-service, and other required trainings, and complete the minimum training hours required by Bright from the Start, OSR, Georgia Pre-K, and Head Start.
Maintain excellent punctuality and attendance and communicate in a manner that supports a positive work atmosphere.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.