OBJECTIVE:
Responsible for encompassing all facets of the program, including childcare, integration of components following Head Start Performance Standards; and State regulations, health/safety and developmentally appropriate education of young children; involvement of parents/guardians; supervision and mentoring of subordinates; and maintenance and security of the Head Start classroom.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• BA in Early Childhood Development, Education, Family Studies or related field of study; or AA Early Childhood Development plus one (1) year experience working with ages 3 to 5.
• Ability to establish an effective professional manner in all dealings with clients and the public.
• Ability to exhibit emotional maturity and good judgment, to include high standards of morals and speech.
• Must be dependable and flexible with scheduled working hours.
• Must possess basic computer skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Inclusive):
• Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate classroom environment and experiences for young children based on early childhood principles and practice and Head Start philosophy.
• Implement the curricula (with fidelity and consistency) that have been selected by the agency in all domains, such as Education, Mental Health, Nutrition and Health, etc.
• Utilize, organize and safe keep classroom resources and curricula materials, ensuring materials are readily available at any time in the classrooms, and accounted for in the beginning and at the end of each school year.
• Implement and comply with Head Start Performance Standards and Head Start component work plans.
• Administer developmental screenings and assessments of each child based on the agency’s timeline, making relevant referrals to component manager(s) and/or collaborating agencies.
• Assist in developing and implementing IEPs.
• Develop and implement written daily lesson plans, which meet the individual developmental needs of children in the classroom.
• Integrate educational aspects of all components into the daily schedule and lesson plans.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with parents/guardians and community volunteers.
• Perform scheduled home visits and parent/teacher conferences in accordance with the agency’s timeline and the parents’ needs.
• Reports health- and other needs of children: making appropriate referrals upon obtaining parental consent where applicable.
• Works with Teacher Associate(s) in performing and documenting daily health checks of children, meal counts, attendance, incident/accident reports, lesson plans, communication contact sheets, etc.
• Encourage parent/guardian involvement in the education of their children, both in the center/classroom and at home, including providing parents/guardians with ideas for developmentally appropriate home activities.
• Encourage parent/guardian involvement in the classroom, including supervision and coaching of volunteers and parents.
• Attend center parent meetings/trainings as assigned, either as a teaching representative or as a provider of childcare for the meeting participants.
• Meet/plan/confer with Social Services programs such as CYFD and collaborating agencies (such as PRO, Peanut Butter and Jelly, etc), YDI Service Specialists, Center Directors, and YDI HS content area managers as needed to ensure all efforts are made to meet the families’ needs and strengthen the family unit.
• Complete/maintain all records and reports needed for proper operation of the classroom, including, but not limited to 1) children’s files; 2) daily attendance records; 3) monthly attendance reports; 4) meal counts; 5) In-Kind documentation; and 6) all needed screenings and assessments.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects pertaining to the children’s files and families’ information.
• Carry out all job-related duties and responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner (refer to Head Start Employee Code of Ethics and NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Comment).
• Work as a team with teacher associate in planning and implementing all aspects of the program in the classroom. Ensure appropriate training has been obtained before the administration of any screens or assessments required by Head Start.
• Participate in all pre-service and in-service training provided for Head Start staff.
• Participate in regular job performance assessments, including development and implementation of an Individual Professional Development plan.
• Comply with all programs, agency, local, state, and federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise and ensure that teacher associate, floater, and volunteer are in compliance with all YDI program Head Start performance standards, NAEYC accreditation regulations, as well as New Mexico state and federal rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for knowledge of New Mexico State Licensing requirements regarding childcare code.
• Responsible for helping children change their clothes and diapers (when applicable) when accidents/incidents occur such as wetting, soiling, spilling etc. Assist and support children in transition from diapers to underwear.
• Mandated Reporting: Every person who knows or has reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected in New Mexico must report the matter immediately to CYFD’s Statewide Central Intake child abuse hotline (1-855-333-SAFE [7233] or #SAFE from a cell phone), or to law enforcement or the appropriate tribal identity.
• YDI Early/ Head Start has specific procedures set up for staff members to follow should need arise to make a report.
• Other duties as assigned.
JOB CHARACTERISTICS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position is exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a professional position, which requires organizational and communication skills, as well as judgment, tact and diplomacy in contacts with Head Start employees, community residents, parents and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulations concerning confidentiality.
Background investigation to include fingerprinting will be required. Physical required at time of hire and may be required every five years. TB Test may be required. Travel may be required. Must submit valid driver’s license and proof of satisfactory car insurance under NM Motor Vehicle requirements.
Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice. This job is contingent upon funding; however, availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.
SUPERVISION GIVEN:
Classroom supervision of the Teacher Associate (and others as assigned).
