Preschool Teacher

Easterseals Southern California•San Marcos, CA

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the Preschool Teacher plans, implements, and evaluates a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for children enrolled in the Early Head Start/Head Start program. The teacher serves as an educator for assigned children throughout their enrollment and supports primary caregiving, including children’s personal care, safety, and visual supervision. The role also involves partnering with families, maintaining required child and classroom documentation, participating in meetings and training, and supporting parent education.

Requirements

High school diploma or national equivalent.
Possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit.
Meet ongoing educational requirements for child development permit/CDA requirements.
Possess and maintain a current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate.
Possess a food handler’s certificate.
Experience teaching in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom setting, including 50 days of at least 3 hours per day within a 2-year period.
Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with very young children.
Ability to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development and safety issues in infant and toddler care settings, including reducing the risk of SIDS.
Complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training and Pesticide Safety Training before beginning work.
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications such as Outlook, Excel, and Skype.
Ability to interpret and implement California Department of Education regulations, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Head Start Performance Standards, and Easterseals policies and procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups.
Ability to relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive affect.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, and establish and meet timelines.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift 40 lbs. continuously.
Ability to reach, bend, stoop, and squat; possess fine manual dexterity; and push, pull, talk, and hear.
Near and far visual acuity, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision.
Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and TB test.
Ability to provide current immunizations required by the State of California for child development centers and staff.
Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as sex offender index clearance.

Responsibilities

Educate and care for assigned children in the classroom throughout their enrollment in the program.
Support primary caregiving, children’s personal care, safety, and visual supervision.
Plan, implement, and supervise an inclusive, developmentally appropriate curriculum in accordance with Head Start standards, applicable policies and procedures, and Easterseals Southern California standards of conduct.
Conduct home visits and parent conferences within required timelines.
Create and implement individual child goals with parent input.
Maintain weekly lesson plans, progress and anecdotal notes, and current paperwork.
Complete child screenings and assessments within required timeframes.
Coordinate and conduct bi-monthly classroom unit meetings.
Provide input when evaluating volunteers and college interns.
Participate in staff meetings, parent meetings, and in-service training.
Participate in planning associate and parent training activities, meetings, and workshops.
Coordinate parent education, training, and support for pregnant women, including prenatal education, breastfeeding information, and other health resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.