Early Head Start Teacher

Position Overview:

Now Hiring! Early Head Start TeacherLocation: 792 Burr Hill Road Cottageville, SC 29475Status: Full Time Non-Exempt Reports to: Center Director What’s In It for You:Compensation based on experience

Health and Life Insurance

Sick and Annual Leave, Funeral Leave

Retirement Program (401k)

Social Security

Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Unemployment Insurance

Company paid holidays

Job Summary: Fully implement the EHS program (federal and state requirements) including but not limited to providing a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for infants and toddlers, engaging families in the program and ensuring all content area standards are met. Supervise and teach an assigned group of infants and toddlers using developmentally appropriate practices. Prepare daily lesson plans including both indoor and outdoor activities that are individualized and based on the infants/toddlers own needs, interests and schedules; and include multicultural education materials and activities.

What You’ll Do:Child Contact TimeDevelop and utilize daily plans and organize the classroom according to individualized plans, developmental levels, and parental and cultural influences of the infant or toddler.

Follow consistent routines (ex, feeding, diapering, toileting, teeth brushing, and napping).

Provide responsive care for children. Respond to children’s needs promptly and positively.

Supervise and monitor children at all times.

Clean and sanitize equipment and learning material; ensure safe environments (classroom, center, restrooms, kitchen, and playground).

Prepare classroom for opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences and opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression, as well as opportunities for gross and fine

Feed infants according to their home schedule, hold them every time they are fed, and share information about their eating with their parents daily.

Provide all meals and snacks to children and prepare them according to their age, development, and needs.

Begin family-style dining with toddlers when they are ready and implement according to program policy and procedures and Early Head Start Performance Standards

Provide diaper changing and toilet training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary and developmentally appropriate manner

Parent Engagement / Home VisitsProvide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parent involvement.

Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition in and out of the center.

Encourage parents to be involved in all aspects of the classroom.

Encourage parents to become involved in workshops, training and other Early Head Start activities.

Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and send activities home that parents can do with their children to support the curriculum and the child’s learning.

Work and make referrals to appropriate agencies as needed or requested by parents for children/families' needs.

Conduct at least two home visits with each child’s family per year for purposes of assessment and support according to the program schedule, policies and procedures.

Plan and conduct regular Parent meetings with team members (at least 2 per year).

Assist with transitioning children out of the program and into Head Start or other childcare programs within the time frame.

Communicates openly and positively with children’s parent/guardians about daily activities, behaviors, etc.

Curriculum DevelopmentAssess individual and group needs, attending to special needs, specific interests, strengths and concerns.

With parent involvement, create developmentally appropriate, balanced daily plans that address each child’s specific strengths and needs and include all EHS components.

Prepare classroom materials and supplies to support daily plans; change materials in learning centers as needed.

Adapt curriculum to meet individual goals for children as identified in IEP/IFSP plans.

Written Documentation & Service DeliveryEnsure the classroom complies with Early Head Start Performance Standards, SCDHS Licensing Requirements, and other regulations.

Maintain accurate written/electronic records including but not limited to assessments, lesson plans, screening instruments, observations, documents for transitions and parent/teacher conferences and daily health checks.

Observe children and record observations and complete the assessment by due dates.

Maintain accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports, and other record-keeping and reports as required.

Participate in team/staff/meetings to plan for and deliver needed services.

Generate in-kind contributions and actively engage in recruitment and enrollment efforts.

General DutiesAttend work punctually and regularly to provide consistency of service.

Attend upon request all staff and other appropriate meetings, training, and conferences, some of which may require out-of-town travel and evening/overnight attendance.

Always maintain a professional attitude and confidentially of all records and information.

Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily routines.

Follow the HS dress code. Appropriate dress code specific for EHS staff: Fingernails are reasonably short in length to avoid injury;

No jewelry except for wedding bands and watches while in the classroom.

Perform other program-related assignments as designated

Present a positive image of the agency to members of the community.

Supervisory RelationshipsWorks under the direct supervision of the Center Director and direction of Head Start Management. Accountable to the Early/Head Start Director, Executive Director, Board of Directors and Policy Council. What You’ll Need:Knowledge & SkillsMust relate well with pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers as well as families from all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic groups.

Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.

Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethics with coworkers and families.

Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation.

EducationMust have Infant/Toddler Child Development Associates (CDA). Prefer an Associates of Art degree in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of six semester hours specifically related to infants and toddlers group care.

If hired without CDA, failure to meet targets will result in termination. The target date cannot exceed six (6) months from hire, but it may be sooner, and/or enrollment into an Early Childhood program that will be completed within two (2) years.

First Aid Certification and Infant/Child CPR Certification

ExperienceAt least one year experience working with infants and toddlers

Intermediate computer, internet and e-mail skills required.

Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate family needs, which may include some evenings or weekends.

GeneralValid South Carolina Driver’s License

Reliable transportation with liability insurance,

Character references

Must pass: Physical,

Pre-employment drug testing

Criminal Background check including:

National Sex Offender Registry

Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry

FBI fingerprint-based criminal history including fingerprint checks

Physical RequirementsPhysically able to perform essential job responsibilities.

Ability to manage physically active children aged 0-3 within a weight range of up to 45 pounds, including lifting, restraining, guiding, and withstanding sudden movements.

Ability to lift 45 pounds multiple times in an 8-hour day.

Move, lift, push, pull and/or carry 0 to 60 pounds to waist height with or without reasonable accommodations;

Bending at the waist, kneeling, stooping and sitting on the floor, or crouching to maintain direct eye contact with children.

Stand, walk, bend over, stretch, grasp, reach overhead, twist;

See and read a computer terminal and printed matter with or without vision aids;

Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone with or without hearing aids;

Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone;

Enter data into a computer, operate mainframe/personal computers, operate standard office and communication equipment;

Operate a motor vehicle;

Work in a busy, noisy, and sometimes stressful environment.

Who We Are?

Lowcountry Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. Employee signature below indicates the employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.

E-Verify: Lowcountry Community Action Agency participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program, which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For all new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to and click on 'E-Verify' located near the bottom of the page.

Pay Range:

USD $0.00 - USD $0.00 /Yr.

Permanent