Lead Teacher - Early Head Start (sign on incentive)

Description

Come join the amazing Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack 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.

You'll join a team of talented and passionate people who are motivated to make our community as strong and resilient as possible.

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week.

Eligible for $1500-$2000 sign-on incentive 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing all aspects of a quality child development program with emphasis on the cognitive, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers. Responsible for establishing and maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Responsible for developing and implementing a curriculum that is consistent with current NAEYC accreditation practices, Early Head Start Performance Standards and NH State Child Care Licensing Regulations. Responsible for meeting the child care needs of families. Responsible for involving parents in the education of their child.

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITES:

• Directly oversees the general operation and maintenance of the classroom learning environment.
• Designs and maintains a classroom environment which meets standards as expressed in the Belknap-Merrimack Program Plans, Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC Accreditation and NH Child Care Licensing Regulations. Attends to the environment’s comfort for full day and full year children.
• Ensures that the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors is clean and safe.
• Maintains the classroom as a comfortable place for all parents and provides adequate orientation and on-going support for parents and all classroom volunteers.
• Ensures the implementation of routines (naptime, mealtime, diapering) as an integral part of the curriculum for all children. Ensures that special attention is given to routines for children receiving full day child care services.
• Engages in adult-child interactions that are responsive, supportive and respectful of children’s play interests.
• Uses tools such as observations, screenings, assessments and parent input to develop curriculum plans. Uses the EHS Curriculum Plan form as a tool to plan, record and document the play, experiences and themes that children engage in.
• Uses the Individualized Weekly Planning Form to develop individual written goals for each child. Documentation includes experiences to achieve these goals and the materials required to carry out the experiences.
• Uses all the EHS record keeping tools and asks for technical assistance, as needed, to fulfill this responsibility.
• Facilitates the use of interpreters, 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.
• 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.
• Works with Cook and Health/Nutrition Specialist to ensure a quality food service and nutrition program, according to the Head Start Performance Standards.
• 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.
• Ensures appropriate staffing requirements.
• Works with the Mental Health Specialist/Consultant to ensure the emotional health and well-being of each child in primary care group.
• 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.
• 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 an