Parent Educator

CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES • Williamsburg, VA

1d • $0 - $41,000

About The Position

The Early Head Start (EHS) Home-Based Parent Educator partners with families of infants and toddlers through individualized home visits, parent-child learning experiences, group socializations, and family partnership services. The educator helps parents build on their strengths as their child’s first and most important teachers, supporting child development, responsive caregiving, family well-being, and connections to community resources.

The role combines independent work in family homes with collaboration at CDR’s Family Resource Center and in the community. The position is based in Williamsburg, Virginia, and includes regular travel to family homes and community locations throughout the service area. Family schedules may occasionally require early morning, late afternoon, or evening activities.

Requirements

• At minimum, a Home-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, or equivalent coursework/credential meeting applicable Early Head Start home visitor qualification requirements.
• Staff working directly with families on the family partnership process must meet applicable family services qualification requirements, including obtaining the required family services credential or certification within the federal timeframe if not already qualified through an applicable degree or credential.
• Experience working with infants, toddlers, and families in home visiting, parent education, early childhood, family support, or human services.
• Knowledge of infant/toddler development, responsive caregiving, parent-child relationships, family-centered practice, adult learning, health, and nutrition.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, confidentiality, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently in family homes and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally to family homes, group socializations, meetings, and community activities.
• Reliable transportation for assigned travel; ability to maintain a valid license and acceptable driving record and meet CDR driving and insurability requirements throughout employment. Driving record verification is required.
• Ability to complete required health screening and child protective services, sex offender registry, and criminal background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, family studies, human services, social work, or a related field, with infant/toddler development and family engagement coursework or training.
• Experience with evidence-based or research-based home visiting, Early Head Start/Head Start, Part C early intervention, screening and assessment, and family partnership services.
• Bilingual communication skills that support effective service to enrolled families; qualifying skills receive a $2,000 bilingual premium pay.
• Additional credentials in home visiting, parent education, family services, family development, or infant mental health.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an assigned Early Head Start home-based caseload and plan and conduct home visits in accordance with program requirements.
• Schedule visits collaboratively with families, make reasonable efforts to reschedule missed visits, and promptly document visits and contacts.
• Use family homes and everyday routines as the primary learning environment while respecting each family’s culture, language, strengths, and priorities.
• Build trusting relationships and help families identify needs, aspirations, and practical goals.
• Use the approved home-based curriculum with fidelity, individualizing activities based on observations, child assessments, and family priorities.
• Partner with parents to strengthen attachment, responsive interactions, language, cognitive and social-emotional development, health, nutrition, and safety.
• Support developmental, behavioral, and health screenings and assessments; coordinate referrals and follow-up when concerns arise.
• Work with Early Head Start specialists and Part C early intervention providers to incorporate applicable IFSP strategies and family priorities.
• Plan and participate in group socialization experiences that foster parent-child learning and connections among families.
• Partner with families to develop, review, and document Family Partnership Agreements and progress toward individualized goals.
• Connect families with CDR services and community resources, including health, housing, nutrition, education, and other identified needs.
• Encourage participation in group activities, volunteering, parent leadership, and Policy Council opportunities.
• Support transitions to Head Start, preschool, early childhood special education, or other community placements.
• Coordinate with EHS staff, CDR programs, early intervention providers, and community partners to support continuity of services.
• Participate in team meetings, reflective supervision, training, coaching, outreach, and continuous improvement activities.
• Share appropriate concerns and observations with specialists or supervisors while protecting family confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate, timely, confidential home-visit, curriculum, assessment, referral, Family Partnership Agreement, mileage, and other required records in approved systems.
• Follow Early Head Start standards, CDR policies, safety and confidentiality procedures, and mandated reporting requirements.
• Recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with Virginia law and CDR procedures.
• Maintain required Early Head Start/CDR training and applicable credentials, including mandated reporting, confidentiality, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Participate in reflective supervision and ongoing learning in infant/toddler development, home visiting, family engagement, and parent education.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off and leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility.
• A 6% non-contributory retirement plan.
• Ongoing Early Head Start training, reflective supervision, and collaborative learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed