Head Start Child Development Teacher- Early Discovery Center

About the role

The Head Start Child Development Specialist will provide educational experiences and activities which promote the intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth and development of Head Start children served in a childcare center. This position provides services in the CCIU Early Discovery Center in West Chester, PA.

Responsibilities

• Implement Head Start Performance Standards in the classroom.
• Oversee implementation of child development activities in a Head Start classroom of preschool aged children.
• Design lesson plans including individualized goals for 16 enrolled students.
• Ensure that all health and safety requirements are met at all times.
• Align all lessons and activities with state standards and the Head Start child outcomes framework.
• Design classroom environments to maximize student engagement and learning.
• Conduct screenings and assessments in accordance with Performance Standards and Keystone Stars.
• Within 45 days of entry, perform a developmental and a social-emotional screening for each student; communicate all screenings requiring follow-up to supervisor and Family Service Worker following established guidelines.
• Communicate with the assigned Family Service Worker to ensure that students receive all appropriate referrals and evaluations.
• Observe and record the growth and development of all children in the classrooms, including assigning assistants to complete valid observations.
• Input observations into Student Management System on a weekly basis; ensure observations are aligned with curriculum expectations.
• Assess students utilizing the Student Management System three times per year; link assessments to state standards, student observations, and Head Start School Readiness Goals.
• Implement the program curriculum and adapt for children with special needs.
• Participate in IFSP and IEP meetings; specifically design classroom activities aligned with IFSP and IEP goals.
• Confer with specialized instructors to ensure student programming is provided in the least restrictive manner; consistently implement suggestions and materials provided by the specialized instructor.
• Promote family engagement in the Head Start program.
• Work in conjunction with the Family Service Worker to ensure all parties have appropriate family and student information.
• Conduct two home visits per year with all 16 assigned children.
• Conduct two parent-teacher conferences per year; utilize student assessments to inform parents of their child's growth and development.
• Provide individualized resources and strategies to promote school and transition readiness.
• Maintain accurate records and files to support annual Program Information Report (PIR).
• Record all contacts with families; monitor student attendance and meal service at point of service and input into Student Tracking System daily.
• Ensure all required screenings are up to date and in child's file; ensure all assessments and parent-teacher conference forms are in child's file.
• Utilize human resources effectively; plan so all adults in classrooms are actively participating with students.
• Train all new adults (staff or volunteers) regarding classroom schedule, routines, and Head Start requirements.
• Ensure students from local education entities are provided opportunities to fulfill course requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of all student and family information, adhering to CCIU standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or closely related field with preschool experience required.
• Special Education and/or Early Childhood experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual & Bicultural strongly preferred.
• Experience working in Head Start preferred.
• PDE Instructional I or Instructional II PK-4 Certification required.
• Valid Driver's License & reliable transportation required.
• Current police, child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances within 1 year required.

Pay

$62,816 - $80,288/yr. Placement on band is based on years of direct experience in a comparable role. 260 day position, 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.