Early Head Start Floater Associate Teacher

Position Overview 

Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. Itinerant Associate Teachers – EHS are integral to the design and delivery of a high-quality Head Start program that is consistent with the Head Start Standards and the Head Start Act. The Itinerant Associate Teacher - EHS provides substitute coverage.  In addition, the Itinerant Associate Teacher provides coverage for breaks, lunches, and planning meetings. The Itinerant Associate Teacher has a primary site assignment but may, in cases of staff call-out, be asked to provide substitute coverage for another PLN site.  

Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor and the guidance of the Early Head Start Teacher, the Itinerant Associate Teacher – EHS is responsible for ensuring the: 

• Health and Safety of infants and toddlers; 
• Care and Supervision of infants and toddlers; 
• Provision of a quality early learning experience that is responsive to the interests, needs and developmental age of the children enrolled in the assigned classroom(s). 

Duties 

Guiding Philosophy 

• Carry out Head Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act and the requirements of the LACOE contract. 
• Adheres to professional conduct at all times (e.g., proper tone and language use in the classroom, with parents and with peers).  
• Per program requirements or as directed by leadership, attends/participates in: 1) professional development activities and 2) supervision.  Remain current on child development practices through classes, workshops, and membership in professional organizations. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Planning and Creating the Learning Environment 

The Itinerant Associate Teacher – EHS is responsible for supporting the Teacher in the following areas: 

• Ensure adherence to all policies and procedures for Education, Health, Nutrition, Mental Health, Disabilities, and Family Engagement as related to the provision of a high-quality early learning environment for infants/toddlers. 
• Promote infant/toddler development to meet School Readiness Goals;  
• Support children’s emotional well-being. 
• Encourage family involvement and support relationship development between children and their families. 
• Collect and maintain all mandated data, records and reports (e.g., Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDPs), attendance, home visits, attendance and emergency cards). 
• Complete incident reports for Area Supervisor regarding staffing or classroom concerns. 
• Conduct parent orientation to include classroom tours and basic program details. 
• May perform other duties as assigned by Area Supervisor to ensure the overall smooth running of the classroom/site. 

Compliance Community Care Licensing/Early Head Start Requirements 

• Comply with staff-child ratio at all times. Complete daily ratio counts for supervisor.  
• Update and implement all nutrition/feeding plans as appropriate. 
• Complete and report any symptoms of suspected child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.  
• Complete daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety and overall well-being of children. 
• Implement the CACFP requirements including, but not limited to: family style meals and point of service documentation. 

Qualifications and Experience Requirements 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully. 

Education and Certification Requirements 

• Minimum of 6 months' experience as a student intern, tutor, or instructional assistant working with an educational setting with preschool children is required.  
• Associates Degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or a related field preferred.  Candidates not possessing an Associates Degree may be hired with a high school diploma if they are enrolled in a program leading to an Associate’s Degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field and have a significant amount of coursework complete including: infant/toddler development, primary care, individualized care, safe and healthy caregiver routines, and curriculum. 
• 24 or more units of postsecondary semester education or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.  
• Six (6) semester units in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development. Strong candidates without 6 units may be considered, however, these units must be completed within the first year of employment. 
• Valid California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. 
• Knowledge in Desired Results and Developmentally Appropriate Practices preferred. 
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos preferred. 
• Understanding of and ability to use technology such as Learning Genie and other agency required programs preferred. 
• Ability to use technology to collect child outcome data, complete on-line training, and other work-related technology-based requirements such as email and Payroll/Human Resources Information Systems. 
• Ability to independently manage the responsibilities and routine stress typical of providing early childhood services. 
• Handle the responsibilities and routine stress often associated with providing early childhood services. 

Other Requirements 

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years. 
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.    
• Comply with immunization, background check standards and other required screenings as mandated by Human Resources and/or PLN Early Education. 
• Valid Class C California driver’s license (depending upon position assignment). 
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents, and other staff members. 

Physical Requirements 

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.   

• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, emergencies, and conflicts that may occur in the early education center or on the playground. 
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary. 
• Reach a child 20- 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person’s health. 
• Crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment. 
• Be aware of the cognitive, social, and physical needs of children. 

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff  

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following: 

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños. 
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families. 
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues. 
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development. 
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement. 
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team. 
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition. 
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations. 
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches. 
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance. 

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer 

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.