Infant & Toddler Floater Teacher EHS

Program: Early Head Start | Reports to: Center Coordinator | Location: Bronx, NY (onsite) | Type: Non-Exempt, Full-Time (40 hours/week, 12 months/year)

About the Role

The Floater Infant and Toddler Teacher will support teachers to promote and develop infants and toddlers in social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and linguistic growth. They ensure learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all children by providing responsive caregiving in a well-organized and managed setting. The role involves age-appropriate classroom management and building strong relationships with families to support parent-child relationships critical to children's healthy development, school readiness, and well-being. The Floater Teacher is assigned to classrooms based on the center’s needs.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to Head Start Program Performance Standards, New York State licensing requirements, and agency policies.
• Maintain professional relationships with staff and families, respecting culture, diversity, and ethnicity.
• Ensure the safety of all children and staff by complying with safety standards and confidentiality practices.
• Provide teaching staff with breaks as assigned by the supervisor.
• Establish and maintain a healthy and safe indoor/outdoor environment for children, including daily playground monitoring, setup, and cleanup.
• Detect and report signs of illness, discomfort, or unusual behavior in children to Teachers or Family Advocate.
• Follow mandated reporting processes for suspected child abuse/neglect.
• Maintain neat and clutter-free classrooms, storage areas, and office spaces.
• Report safety hazards observed indoors and outdoors.
• Provide direct supervision and ensure the safety of all children.
• Create an inviting atmosphere that supports children’s comfort and cultural backgrounds.
• Follow Standards of Conduct and guidance techniques as defined in the Discipline Policy.
• When covering teacher breaks:
  • Assist in implementing curriculum and teaching experiences.
  • Ensure a nurturing, language-rich environment for social and emotional development.
• Promote parental engagement and model appropriate behavior and guidance techniques.
• Assist with food services, classroom needs, meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Support general maintenance, security, and inventory of equipment/supplies.
• Assist with classroom laundry and daily cleaning tasks (e.g., refilling/restocking supplies).
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Agree to enroll in and complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) program upon hire (tuition assistance may be available).
• Bilingual (English and Spanish).
• Basic computer skills.
• Valid Driver’s License, personal vehicle, and liability insurance (or valid state ID if using public transportation).

Preferred Qualifications

• Current CDA credential in Infant and Toddler.
• Associate Degree or qualifying education in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or similar.
• Minimum two years of recent, paid, successful experience in childcare or preschool.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

Physical Demands

• Ability to see, hear, and use hands/fingers for required tasks.
• Lift infants/toddlers up to 40 pounds (20 pounds overhead, 40 pounds waist-to-shoulder); occasional lifting of 50 pounds.
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds horizontally.
• Sit on the floor, bend at the waist, kneel, or stoop 75% of the time.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities, provided it does not pose an undue risk to children.

About Urban Strategies

Urban Strategies exists to equip, resource, and connect faith- and community-based organizations so that all children and families can reach their full potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the team serves in the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico, and Central America.

Company Culture

• Authentic Relationships: Foundational to our work, moving beyond transactional interactions to foster mutual growth and development.
• Servant Leadership: Rooted in an other-centric mindset to build up individuals, families, and communities.
• Intentional Compassion: A deliberate commitment to understand, strategize, and activate others toward their full potential.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• 401K with matched contributions up to 4%.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous vacation time (varies by program/position).
• 9 sick days and 11 holidays.
• Long- and short-term disability provided free.
• Company-provided laptops or cellphones for required positions.
• Meaningful employee engagement programs.

Pay

$17.13 - $18.84 per hour (with CDA).