Early Head Start Teacher - Baltimore County

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!


POSITION SUMMARY:
Manages an Early Head Start classroom within the scope and goals of COMAR Child Care Regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, program’s identified Curriculum for Infants/Toddlers and Twos and the Y in Central Maryland Child Care Philosophy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Ensures health, welfare, and safety of children enrolled in the class. Maintains appropriate adult/child ratios for the purpose of providing quality care and adherence to local licensing and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Supervises children at all times, adjusting appropriately for a range of ages and abilities of children.
• Promotes feelings of security and trust in infants/toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting and by establishing strong and caring relationships.
• Writes and implements individualized daily lesson plans that include objectives, concepts, and strategies for meeting Infant/Toddler Curriculum Developmental Continuum assessments and Head Start School Readiness Outcomes.
• Conducts individual observations, assessments, and developmentally appropriate activities for the purpose of measuring growth and development.
• Informs and includes all classroom staff, parents and volunteers in daily lesson plans and activities.
• Plans and manages classroom structure, i.e. schedule, routines, transitions.
• Demonstrates sensitivity, cultural respect, acceptance, and patience.
• Conducts developmental screenings of infants/toddlers’ motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills within 45 days of enrollment and ongoing as prescribed.
• Ensures continuity of care by sharing pertinent information with caregivers about each child and any verbal or written instructions given by the parent.
• Maintains classroom education folders and portfolio-assessment binders for children in compliance with Head Start, COMAR regulations and Curriculum guidelines.
• Assures completion of daily and monthly attendance records.
• Prepares for and conducts at least two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences annually.
• Participates in monthly meetings for parents and recruits their input into planning for classroom activities.
• Ensures that parents receive developmentally appropriate home learning activities on a weekly basis.
• Recruits, trains and utilizes parent volunteers in the classroom.
• Oversees classroom staff, including advising on classroom issues.
• Assures that all written communication from the Education Service Area is shared with the classroom team in a timely manner (memo regarding assessments, training, meetings, etc.)
• Monitors classroom supplies and submits orders to the Education Departments when needed.
• Maintains a neat, appealing, clean classroom and center (including bathrooms, floors, etc).
• Attends and actively participates in Early Head Start, Head Start and Curriculum training to continue professional growth.
• Models professional behavior and adherence to Y of Central Maryland Baltimore County Head Start policies and procedures through behavior, appearance, and attitude.
• Model positive interactions with infants and toddlers to promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
• Observes infants and toddlers to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, emotional disturbance, or other special needs, and reports these signs immediately to the Zone Manager.
• Work with EHS and Head Start Managers to provide developmentally appropriate Early Intervention services.
• Attend case management meetings,