Lead Infant/ Toddler Primary Care Giver

Description

Exempt:   No     SALARY LEVEL:  $21.49 - $23.20

SUPERVISOR:  Area Supervisor  

LOCATION:   Sonoma County Head Start Centers   HOURS:  8 hours/day, Monday through Friday, 12 months/year

Policy Council Approval Date 08/25/2022         Approved by:  HR Manager 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

Under the direction of the Area Supervisor, the Lead Primary Caregiver administers Early Head Start center operations, coordinates activities for infants/toddlers as guided by Head Start Performance Standards, adheres to procedures and policies, and follows California State Community Care Licensing regulations.   This position is responsible for the daily operations and oversight of the center to which they are assigned. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Agency’s policies and applicable federal and state laws. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and monitor the work of center staff, volunteers, and parents
• Supervise and support all children in the classroom 
• Supervise: Primary Care Giver, Classroom Assistant, and any other assigned staff
• Adhere to the Child Assessment/Observation System & Family Partnership System Timeline
• Ensure and participate in a minimum of 2 parent home visits and 2 conferences per child.  The first home visit is done in partnership with the Family Outreach Worker 
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations with good judgment
• Assess children, develop individualized routines and developmentally appropriate plans and curriculum
• Have meaningful, respectful conversations with children throughout each day
• Plan and facilitate daily learning activities for children based on children’s interests in alignment with the Creative Curriculum to support School Readiness in all learning domains
• Reinforce the role of the parent as the primary caregiver and educator of the child
• Work in partnership with service area managers and center staff to better assess the needs of the children and families to ensure quality services to children and families
• Support and serve as a resource to the families and work with them in assessing their strengths, interests, and needs, make referrals as appropriate
• Build a close, personal relationship with each child while creating a warm, accepting, and developmentally appropriate environment that encourages the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development of the infant/toddler and family
• Maintain warm, friendly, and professional working relationships with children, parents, and coworkers
• Plan, assigned, and directed work, which includes yearly performance appraisals, monthly one-on-one meetings, and helping to address complaints and resolve problems 
• Approve staff time cards and time off requests 
• Communicate to the supervisor and other classroom staff in order to develop a plan for coverage when other staff are not present
• Provide on-the-job training and support, assess skill levels with employees, and develop a plan for individual growth and professional development
• Ensure and share in the daily cleaning and sanitization procedures of the classroom, classroom equipment, and outside play yard; maintain health and safety standards for children, classroom volunteers, and staff; Promote good health and nutrition and provide an environment that contributes to the prevention of illness 
• Maintain classroom files on children and ensure confidentiality of client records and information
• Coordinate and cooperate with consultants and specialists with items relevant to the center and children, ensuring maximum use of services and resources
• This may include collaboration/coordination of program services with other community entities, i.e., early intervention, those serving children with diagnosed disabilities, State Child Care programs
• Actively participate in the distance learning model of instruction when required
• Participate in staff meetings, consultant meetings, trainings, and appropriate special events, as scheduled
• Participate in the team-building process within the program by using established communication channels in a constructive and productive manner that enhances the team effort while maintaining confidentiality
• The health, safety, and supervision of all children in the program are essential; therefore, every employee is responsible for the care and supervision of children while they are present at the center
• Understand and implement Head Start Procedures and Head Start Performance Standards
• Other relevant duties, as assigned

Requirements