Head Start Teacher

Title: Head Start Teacher

Unit: Child Development

Division: Early Learning & Family Services (ELFS)

Reports to: Site Supervisor

FLSA Class: Exempt

Job Type: Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY

This position facilitates learning for 3-5 year old children in a Head Start classroom using an approved developmentally appropriate curriculum, which promotes routines, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of children in the program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education required, plus three years teaching pre-school age children OR a BA/BS (with at least 30 credits in Early Childhood Education or equivalent coursework) plus one year experience. Advance degree preferred.
2. Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred.
3. Must be able to demonstrate concern for and understanding of the conditions involved with people and families with low income.
4. Must be aware of and sensitive to Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to free, appropriate education to all children with disabilities identified as needing special education and related services and demonstrate through personal actions that such children can benefit from inclusion in a regular Head Start/Early Head Start classroom setting.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. CR Early Head Start/Head Start requires that all staff provide a current (2 weeks prior to new hire orientation) Tuberculosis test upon employment. If this is not provided it will delay hiring. Testing done prior to 2 weeks before employment will not be recognized.
2. Initial physical exam within 90 days of employment is required.
3. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
4. Demonstrated ability to secure auto liability insurance.
5. First Aid/CPR Certification (within 90 days of employment).
6. Food Handlers Permit (within 90 days of employment).
7. Must have proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
8. Some overnight travel may be required to attend employer-paid conference or trainings out of the area.
9. Must be able to successfully pass a Washington State Patrol criminal history background check and an FBI national fingerprint check.
   

JOB DUTIES:

1. Works collaboratively with other site team members to plan and implement lesson plans and maintain a safe, clean, healthy, and professional work environment.
   
2. Effectively supervises and manages children in the classroom to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment according to established protocols and rules.
3. Ensures ongoing and sustained compliance with KCR Policies & Procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulations, and Washington Administrative Code for Child Care Licensing.
4. Implements KCR Early Learning and Family Services Written Curriculum plan including use of approved, developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum and other curricular resources with fidelity.
5. Maintain a positive, nurturing, strength-based learning environment that meets Performance Standards and is consistent with the Creative Curriculum, Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), and the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS).
6. Maintain record keeping and reporting systems to ensure the gathering and retention of accurate information, with timely completion and follow up. (Daily web-based data entry is required.)
7. In collaboration with parents, administer developmental screenings, maintain on-going assessment systems, participates in Individualized Goal planning including and special needs IFSP/IEP meetings to ensure implementation of a developmentally appropriate individualized learning experience for every child.
8. Conduct home visits and conferences in accordance with Performance Standards.
9. In collaboration with parents and school district personnel, implement Kindergarten transition activities to ensure a smooth entry to Kindergarten.
10. Build relationships with children and families by greeting daily, encouraging volunteerism, and engaging in curriculum planning process.
11. Provide guidance to substitutes and volunteers to maintain classroom quality in accordance with all policies, procedures, and Performance Standards.
12. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency policy and legal requirements, being respectful of the rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
13. 14. Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings including All Staff meetings, monthly professional development, coaching meetings, site parent and team meetings, and others as designated by Site Supervisor or Program Management.
14. 15. Maintain Professional Development Plan goals that meet a minimum of 15 training hours per year and may include college coursework, conference travel, classroom observation, and videotaped observations.
15. Reports to and accepts assignments from the Child Development Site Supervisor and/or Child Development Manager.
16. Accept other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL/MENTAL FUNCTIONS

The physical requirements of this position require being able to physically match the activity level of 3-5 year olds.

Intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting and bending.

Must be able to get down on the child’s eye level and floor.

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Simple grasping and hand manipulation required as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.

Must be able to withstand exposure to noise in a pre-school environment.

Must be mentally alert and able to react quickly and appropriately when dealing with pre-school age children.

Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with children and families.

Must display a positive affect while working with children.

Must have a positive attitude in the work place.

Requires accuracy, good communication, judgment, and the ability to remain calm and provide appropriate advice and information.

Must be able to exhibit regular attendance

BENEFITS

Company paid:

Medical, Dental, Vision

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Life Insurance, Short Term Disability

401K (after 1 year)

CORE VALUES

Kitsap Community Resources core values are a vital part of each position and employees are expected to uphold them to the fullest.

Integrity – taking care to honor our commitments in an ethical manner

Compassion – genuinely empathizing with those we serve

Excellence – demonstrating a high level of performance in all we do

Diversity – showing honor and respect to all individuals we serve

Collaboration – so we seek out partnership opportunities

Teamwork – supporting our employees and partners as we fulfill our mission

KITSAP COMMUNITY RESOURCES (KCR) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. KCR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at KCR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. KCR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.