Infant Toddler Teacher - Prosser

Position Purpose

Position is responsible to prepare and execute daily activities and lesson plans for children. Incorporate a child’s home/language/culture functionally in activities of the center. Provides opportunities and encouragement throughout the program for children to acquire and enlarge their vocabulary and provide a good language model by speaking clearly and distinctly on a level that children understand and respect.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to more than 4000 children, in center based and home based setting, at more than 27 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. Inspire provides services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Early Head Start (EHS). The agency is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish.

Supervisory and Other Relationships

The Infant Toddler Teacher reports to the Center Manager, and works closely with the Center Staff, School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, ECE Specialists, Leads, Parents and Children.

Examples of Essential Duties and Accountabilities

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

1. Provides a safe and healthy learning environment for children. Follows all state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards; to include hand washing, laundry, and housekeeping practices.
2. Carries out assigned staff responsibilities regarding lesson plans, evaluations, and records. Formulates lesson plans for classroom activities and Home Learning Tasks. Responsible for the daily completion of USDA Meal count. Self-monitor classroom documentation to ensure systems and procedures are being followed as per written guidance and timelines.
3. Enhances physical and intellectual competence in children by promoting physical, cognitive, language, and creative skills, including children who require special services. Attend Teacher Meetings as scheduled to facilitate mentoring classroom staff in ECE.
4. Reinforces positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
5. Communicates with and actively involves parents in all aspects of center activities, through Home Visits, Parent Teacher Conferences, Open House, Make-n-Take, and Brainstorming sessions.
6. Follows established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans. In coordination with Lead ECE Specialist or School Readiness Liaison, monitors and provides technical assistance to teaching staff. Perform administrative duties as assigned. Collaborate with Teachers to bring consistency and best practices to the classroom.
7. Models appropriate instructional techniques for Teachers & Volunteers. Provides assistance in completing all appropriate documentation: i.e. Daily Assessment form, Feeding Guide and Health checks.
8. Actively participates with age appropriate interactions and classroom activities such as free play, mealtime, floor time and class room activities. May include bathing, diaper changing, formula preparation (for infants). Follows center procedures to receive and discharge the children.
9. Shows interest in furthering professional growth by attending staff meetings, workshops, seminars, and additional training on Child Development and willing to mentor CDA candidates.
10. Administer educational screenings, identify, and refer children with potential high risk of health, disability or behavioral concerns.
11. Maintains confidentiality of program and client related information at all times.
12. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:

• Current Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or comparable certificate (State Initial ECE Certificate), or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development; or an Associate’s Degree in ECE or an Associate’s Degree with 30 ECE-related college credits;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices;
• Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment;
• Experience in policy and procedure processes;
• Experience in planning and facilitating groups;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Experience in the classroom risk management;
• Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems;
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to gather and analyze data for reports;
• Strong customer service focus;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse population;
• Knowledge of personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and
• Accurate data, documentation and recordkeeping skills.

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, training and experience which would include at least six (6) months experience in a child care setting. The combination of education and experience will provide the competence and skills to perform the work of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Head Start experience.
• English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency.

Position Requirements

Incumbents are required to have the following:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Valid Washington State driver’s license;
• Proof of automobile insurance;
• Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities;
• Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);
• Current Food Handler card; (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to initial and periodic TB screen;
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to random drug screen;
• Obtain required initial STARS/MERIT training within six (6) months of employment of position;
• Obtain Fifteen (15) hours continuing in-service training annually;
• Obtain Ten (10) hours continuing STARS/MERIT training annually;
• Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and
• Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis.