Community Childcare Lead Teacher - Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties : Job Details

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for providing all aspects of a quality child development program with emphasis on the social/emotional and cognitive development of children. Responsible for observing, assessing and screening children and using that data to plan and implement activities and experiences consistent with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, School Readiness Goals and all current Early Childhood Education best practices, including Head Start Performance Standards and NH State Child Care Licensing Regulations. ** Eligible for $1500-$2000 Sign-On Incentive **PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITES:

Uses a specific system to actively supervise children in his/her care at all times. Adheres to the Supervision of Children policy and zoning procedures inside and outside of the classroom.

Designs and maintains a warm and nurturing classroom environment which meets the standards expressed in the Head Start Performance Standards, National Association for the Education of Young Children and NH Child Care Licensing regulations.

Engages in appropriate adult-child interactions, carefully attending to the social/emotional relationship by following and implementing PBIS and using a calm and positive tone of voice.

Effectively communicates with parents daily, including any necessary information about their child or the classroom, in a professional and positive manner.

Ensures that the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors, is clean and safe.

Coordinates with the Site Manager to ensure proper maintenance of the Head Start facility by completing weekly health and safety checklists.

Uses the curriculum planning tool to develop and document the play, experiences, activities and themes that children engage in. Documentation shall include written plans for all children, individualizing for specific children, activities to achieve these goals, materials required to carry out the activities, weekly reflections, parent input and connection to HSELOF/SRGs.

Enters documentation into TS Gold regularly to meet checkpoint deadlines and places children into appropriate color bands as they assess their development in each objective.

Uses all the Belknap-Merrimack Head Start record keeping tools, including ChildPlus and asks for technical assistance, as needed, to fulfill this responsibility. Ensures that all data is entered in a timely manner and all necessary records including staff timecards are entered in Paylocity.

Maintains the classroom as a comfortable and welcoming place for families.

Communicates sensitively with parents, listening to their concerns, so that parent ideas and priorities are incorporated into both curriculum plans and classroom environment.

Demonstrates a strong commitment to the dignity and privacy of each family, keeping all family information confidential.

Demonstrates through positive words and actions respect for and acceptance of income eligible families and working families.

Facilitates monthly meetings of the local Center parent committee (single sites).

Communicates and meets with the Family Service Worker regularly regarding family contacts, children's needs, children's absences and Center parent meetings.

Reports suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to ERSEA/Family Services Specialist and to DCYF Central Intake at 1-800-###-####.

Directly supervises the professional growth and daily activities of the teacher assistant. Maintains monthly supervision records, completes annual evaluation and two PD goals.

Coordinates (single sites) or attends and participates in the Center team of assistant teacher, family service worker, etc. through planned and documented monthly staff meetings in cooperation with the Education manager

Works with the cook and Health/Nutrition Specialist to ensure a quality food service and nutrition education program. Completes Meal Attendance and monthly menu review and nutrition activities.

Works with the Mental Health Consultant & Specialist to ensure the emotional health and well-being of each enrolled child. Communicates with the Behavior Services Coordinator, completes behavior incident reports (BIRs) & participates on the Orange Team as needed, completing applicable forms.

Completes ASQ screenings within 45 days, documents in ChildPlus and rescreens and/or refers to local ESS or LEAs as necessary. Communications with and informs the DS/MH Specialist when a referral is made using procedures in place and corresponding forms.

Works with the LEAs and the Disabilities/Mental Health Specialist to advocate for the needs of young children with IEPs and help build relationships and ensure a quality program for children with disabilities. Facilitates the inclusion of all children to ensure the least restrictive environment to meet their individual needs. Attends IEP meetings as needed or requested

Keeps all child files organized and up-to-date using each section's checklist as a guide.

Maintains a positive and productive attitude regarding the Head Start and Child Care programs and the CAP Agency when interacting both within Head Start and with the greater community.

Accomplishes four (4) family visits per program year-two (2) home visits and two (2) center family/teacher conferences per year.

Continues to gain knowledge and expertise in child development and early childhood education, the principles of child health, disability, safety, and nutrition; adult learning principles; and family dynamics.

Attends all regularly scheduled Head Start Teacher meetings, All-Staff trainings and CAP events as they relate to the improvement of services to income eligible families.

Transports children in personal vehicle if an emergency situation arises.

AGENCY RESPONSIBILTIIES: You are part of something bigger than just your program and every CAPBM employee is accountable for delivering the highest quality of service and support to all of our stakeholders including program participants, clients, volunteers, coworkers, contractors, vendors, and any other individual touched by the work we do.

Be committed to the Agency's Mission, Vision, and Values.

Express courtesy and willingness to assist others while providing positive, prompt, and quality assistance to all CAPBM stakeholders.

Maintain adequate knowledge of all CAPBM programs to make referrals to other CAPBM programs beneficial to the participant.

Maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff per CAPBM policy and procedure.?Adhere strictly to the confidentiality of clients, co-workers, and internal business information.

Present a professional and positive image as a representative of CAPBM.?

Follow established policies and procedures and comply with all safety requirements.

Communicate proactively with the supervisor regarding workflow, problems, suggestions, etc.

Contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment; and attend team and staff meetings as scheduled.

Be punctual for scheduled work, use time appropriately, and complete work in a timely fashion with minimal errors.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is a summary of the typical essential functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties related to this position. External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by Human Resources on a case-by-case basis. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit for prolonged periods of time; repetitively use hands to key, handle, or feel, including operation of a standard computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms and talk, see, and hear; and lift and carry up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Work may at times be in the infant, toddler or preschool classroom setting requiring the ability to reach with hands and arms and talk, see and hear' bend, reach, stoop, and crawl; regular lifting of children up to 40 pounds. Physical agility to react quickly to the unpredictable actions of a child age birth to five. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in the preschool classroom setting with nearly constant activity. The noise level varies from quiet to loud. Exposure to body secretions/fluids and blood borne pathogens may occur. RequirementsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Three years of experience working in an early childhood classroom.
• Ability to effectively communicate with young children.
• Ability to relate comfortably to income eligible families.
• Ability to supervise other adult employees of the center team.
• Ability to coordinate with the broader child care community.
• Expects and responds positively to continuous change and challenge.

Education:

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education OR
• Associate's degree in a related field with course work in Early Childhood Education equivalent to a major in ECE including the course Child Growth and Development.

License/Certification:

• Successful completion of criminal record check.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Valid driver's license with access to reliable transportation for required travel.