Infant Toddler Teacher -Quincy

About the Role

This position is responsible for preparing and executing daily activities and lesson plans for children, incorporating each child’s home language and culture into center activities. The role provides opportunities and encouragement for children to develop vocabulary and models clear, respectful communication. Inspire Development Centers delivers Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to over 4,000 children across more than 25 centers in Washington State, operating under federal and state-funded programs such as Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early Head Start (EHS).

Responsibilities

• Provides a safe and healthy learning environment for children, adhering to all state and federal regulations regarding instruction, health, and safety standards.
• Carries out assigned staff responsibilities related to lesson plans, evaluations, and records.
• Formulates lesson plans for classroom activities and Home Learning Tasks.
• Completes daily USDA Meal count and monitors classroom documentation to ensure compliance with timelines and procedures.
• Enhances physical, cognitive, language, and creative skills in children, including those requiring special services.
• Attends Teacher Meetings to facilitate mentoring of classroom staff in early childhood education.
• Reinforces positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
• Actively involves parents in center activities through Home Visits, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Open House events, and other engagement sessions.
• Follows established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans.
• Monitors and provides technical assistance to teaching staff in coordination with Lead ECE Specialist or School Readiness Liaison.
• Performs administrative duties as assigned and collaborates with Teachers to ensure consistency and best practices in the classroom.
• Models appropriate instructional techniques for Teachers and Volunteers.
• Assists in completing documentation such as Daily Assessment forms, Feeding Guides, and Health checks.
• Actively participates in age-appropriate interactions and classroom activities, including free play, mealtime, floor time, and diaper changing or formula preparation for infants.
• Follows center procedures for receiving and discharging children.
• Pursues professional growth through workshops, seminars, and additional training on child development, and mentors CDA candidates.
• Administers educational screenings, identifies, and refers children with potential high-risk health, disability, or behavioral concerns.
• Maintains confidentiality of program and client-related information at all times.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or comparable certificate (State Initial ECE Certificate), or 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, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience in classroom risk management.
• Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems.
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Proficiency in personal computer use, including Microsoft Office, and accurate data, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
• At least six (6) months of experience in a child care setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Head Start experience.
• English/Spanish bilingual fluency.

Position Requirements

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

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed at a Childhood Development Center, primarily with and around children in a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Frequent ability to sit, stand, walk, balance, stoop, catch, move to music, and run.
• Occasional ability to communicate in person, via telephone, or video conference.
• Occasional ability to lift and/or move up to forty (40) pounds.
• Occasional ability to restrain a child.
• Occasional ability to push/pull, kneel, bend, taste, or smell.
• Occasional ability to travel locally and statewide.
• Frequent ability to write, keyboard, read, and use hands to handle or move objects, tools, or controls.
• Frequent specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequent exposure to seasonal weather elements (hot, dry, cold, rain, wind).
• Frequent handling of cleaning and sterilizing agents.
• Ability to adjust to noise levels ranging from quiet to moderate.
• Frequent exposure to moderate temperatures in a controlled environment.

Benefits

A summary of benefits associated with this position can be found at Inspire Development Centers Careers.