Preschool Teacher

Overview of Position

Hiring Ranges:

• Associate Teachers Permit + BA degree: $26 - $29/hr DOE
• Associate Teachers Permit + AA degree: $24 - $27/hr DOE
• Associate Teachers Permit + HS diploma: $22 - $25/hr DOE

Candidates who possess relevant Infant and Toddler units are eligible for additional compensation.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION: Under general supervision, plans, implements, and evaluates a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for children in the Early Head Start/Head Start program. Performs as an educator for assigned children.

Essential Functions

• Performs as an educator for assigned children in the classroom throughout the child’s enrollment in the program.
• Supports primary care-giving in meeting the personal care of children, including safety and visual supervision.
• Plans, implements and supervises a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for young children, in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, policies and procedures and Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) standards of conduct.
• Counsels parents on child development and provides guidance on parenting techniques.
• Coordinates and conducts bi-monthly classroom unit meetings.
• Provides input to evaluate volunteers and college interns.
• Participates in staff meetings, parent meetings, and in-service training.
• Participates in planning associate and parent training activities, parent meetings and workshops.
• Coordinates parent education, training and support for pregnant women including prenatal education, breast-feeding information, and other health resources.

Education & Certification

• Education A.A. Degree in early childhood education, child development and/or related field.
• Must possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit.
• Must meet ongoing educational requirements to qualify for child development permit/CDA requirements.
• Must possess and maintain current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and First Aid certificate.
• Must possess Food Handler certificate.

Experience

• Experience teaching in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom setting, which includes 175 days of 3+ hours per day within 4 year period.
• Experience necessary to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Able to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler child care settings (i.e., reducing the risk of SIDS).
• Must complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training as well as Pesticide Safety Training (per Healthy Schools Act) prior to beginning work.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype).
• Able to properly interpret and implement regulations of the California Department of Education, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Head Start Performance Standards, and of Easterseals policies and procedures.
• Able to communicate effectively, through oral and written skills, and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups.
• Able to relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive affect.
• Able to exercise sound judgment, plan, establish and meet timelines.
• Able to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Able to provide any/all current immunizations as required by the State of California for child development centers and staff.
• Able to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements. Must have sex offender index clearance.

Environmental Exposure

• TASKS THAT INVOLVE EXPOSURE TO BLOOD, BODY FLUIDS, OR TISSUES.