Lead Teacher/Site Director - Early Head Start - Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties : Job Details

Come join the amazing Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack Counties team!We are a private non-profit committed to doing all we can in the fight against poverty. Our legacy goes back to the 1960's and we manage over 70 programs designed to help those who need it most. You'll join a team of talented and passionate people who are motivated to make our community as strong and resilient as possible.Working for Head Start and Early Head Start provides an opportunity to support the most vulnerable children in your community and help them and their families achieve success in school and in life.** Eligible for $1500-$2000 Sign-On Incentive **Hours: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week.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. Listed on NH Child Care License as Center Director.PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITES:

• Directly oversees the general operation and maintenance of the classroom learning environment. Ensures appropriate staffing requirements to meet ratios in the classroom at all times.
• 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.
• Ensures that all NH Child Care Licensing Regulations are met and staff files are up-to-date, by regularly reviewing all current regulations, and attending Child Care Aware NH Center Director meetings/webinars (when possible) to keep informed of any changes or updates. Keeps Household and Personnel lists current through NH Connections portal.
• 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. Engages in adult-child interactions that are responsive, supportive and respectful of children's needs, development and play interests.
• Ensures the implementation of routines (naptime, mealtime, diapering) as an integral part of the curriculum for all children.
• Effectively communicates with parents at the end of the day, including any necessary information about their child or the classroom.
• Ensures that the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors is clean and safe. Coordinates with the Site Manager/Facilities Manager to ensure proper maintenance of the Head Start facility.
• 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 assessment tool regularly to meet checkpoint deadlines and places children into appropriate color bands as they assess their development in each objective.
• 1 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 are entered. Enters all pertinent child and family information into Child Plus for primary care group. Keeps portfolios and child observations up-to-date for primary care group.
• Facilitates the use of interpreters if applicable, according to the family's preference when the primary language spoken by the family is other than English.
• Greets parents at drop-off and pick-up and facilitates a smooth transition between home and center.
• 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.
• Provides daily communication with parents including daily written Infant/Toddler Tales for children enrolled in their primary care group. Communicates sensitively with parents, listening to their concerns so that parents' ideas and priorities are incorporated into both classroom plans and parent training opportunities.
• Plans for and facilitates monthly parent committee meetings with Pittsfield Team.
• Communicates and meets with the Family Service Worker regularly (weekly) regarding family and children's needs, children's absences, parent meetings etc.
• 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 and complete annual evaluation and PD goals.
• Coordinates the Center team of assistant teacher, family service worker, etc. through regularly 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 daily Meal Attendance and monthly menu review and nutrition activities.
• Works with Part C and LEA specialists and Education/Disabilities Specialist- Birth-3 to ensure a quality program for children with disabilities. Facilitates the inclusion of all children to ensure that a natural learning environment is provided. Implements the goals of each child's IFSP/IEP.
• 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 Mental Health Specialist/Consultant to ensure the emotional health and well-being of each child in primary care group. Completes BIRs and other tracking forms as needed.
• 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 a minimum of two home visits and two conferences annually with families enrolled in the center-based option. Maintains more frequent contact with each family as needed or requested. Completes all necessary documentation.
• 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.
• Meets with parents, managers/specialists or preschool teachers and home visitors/family service workers to facilitate smooth transitions both into and out of the program.
• Communicates and meets with the Home Visitor or Family Service Worker regularly regarding family goals and children's needs, children's absences and parent meetings. Completes applicable sections of the Family Staffing forms.
• Completes center records for attendance, meals counts, fire drills, in-kind contributions and daily parent sign in and sign out sheets.

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.

CAPBM FULL TIME BENEFITS:

• Paid Time Off - Earn up to four weeks in your first year
• Paid Holidays - 12 per year
• Health Insurance (with Free Dental and Vision)
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Health Insurance Buyout
• Voluntary Dental Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA & DCA)
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Employer paid Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary 403(b) with 5% Employer Match After One Year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program

ADDITIONAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS:

• Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Raise year)
• 50% off child care in our centers (subject to availability)
• A Practice-Based Coach, Behavior Support Coordinator, and Mental Health Consultant on staff for employee support
• Paid professional development days and trainings during work days free of cost (airfare, meals, hotel included!)
• Annual Staff Retreat day and Staff Wellness days Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement
• Assistance to Education staff in completing a CDA (we help you through that process and cover the cost).
• Professional Development Specialists on staff to complete verification visits, observation, and portfolio review.
• Many career growth opportunities!

RequirementsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Experience and Skill Requirements: The following experience and skills are considered essential:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Prior experience working in an early childhood classroom with supervisory duties a plus.
• Ability to effectively communicate with infants, toddlers and their families and ability to relate comfortably to income eligible families.
• Ability to coordinate with broader childcare community.
• Ability to supervise other adult employees of the center team and effectively communicate and work well with other staff.
• Fluency in language spoken primarily by EHS families and ability to facilitate use of interpreters as needed.
• Basic computer literacy skills.
• Anticipates and responds positively to continuous change and challenge.
• Maintain current CPR/First Aid certification and professional development of 18 credits per year

Education Requirements: The following education requirements are considered essential:** All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated. **

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) or
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a related field with course work in ECE equivalent to a major in ECE including the course Child Growth and Development
• Must be ECE Director certified by the state of New Hampshire

For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter. Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Salary Description $22.88 - $26.52 per hour