ABOUT EARLY CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTERS
Early Connections Learning Centers provides high-quality early care and education for children and families across the Pikes Peak region. Since 1897, we have helped young children build a strong foundation for learning, relationships, and lifelong success.
Every role at Early Connections contributes to our mission. Together, we create safe, healthy, inclusive, and nurturing environments where children can thrive.
This position will remain open until filled.
JOB SUMMARY
The Health & Nutrition Specialist plays a key role in supporting the health, safety, and well-being of children enrolled in Early Connections programs. This position coordinates and tracks health and nutrition services across the agency, including child health records, medication administration compliance, health screenings, staff health and safety training, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) administration, and food service coordination.
The Health & Nutrition Specialist serves as the agency’s primary resource for health and nutrition practices and works closely with families, center staff, food service partners, and program leadership. This position ensures compliance with Colorado Child Care Licensing Rules, Head Start Performance Standards, CACFP regulations, and agency policies while helping create healthy learning environments for all children.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Health Services
- Maintain complete, accurate, and current child health records in child management software, such as Playground, Child Plus, or similar software. These records include physicals, immunization records, allergy information, medication authorizations, special diet statements, individualized health care plans, and other required documentation.
- Monitor child health compliance and follow up with families to obtain required records, screenings, and documentation within established timelines.
- Conduct hearing and vision screenings upon enrollment and at required intervals in accordance with licensing and Head Start requirements.
- Provide families with health education, referrals, and community resources, and document follow-up as appropriate.
- Receive Medication Delegation from the contracted Child Care Health Consultant and serve as a delegated medication administrator and backup for centers as needed.
- Partner with the Child Care Health Consultant to support medication administration, health regulations, licensing standards, best practices, and continuous quality improvement.
- Monitor recommendations and corrective actions from nurse consultant visits, health inspections, and other reviews, ensuring timely follow-up.
- Maintain health and medical resources, including medical manuals, classroom first aid kits, emergency supplies, and health-related documentation.
- Conduct regular center health visits and health and safety inspections to support safe, compliant classroom environments.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and monitor First Aid/CPR certification requirements for staff, including scheduling and conducting training as needed.
- Orient and train new employees on health procedures, medication administration, illness exclusion, infection control, and other health and safety practices.
Nutrition and Food Program Services
- Administer and oversee the Child and Adult Care Food Program, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and agency regulations, policies, and recordkeeping requirements.
- Coordinate meal services for all centers in partnership with the food service vendor, including meal ordering, menu implementation, monitoring reviews, and reimbursement requests.
- Review, approve, and maintain special diet statements, food allergies, and medical meal accommodations in collaboration with families, health care providers, enrollment staff, center staff, and the food vendor.
- Conduct required CACFP monitoring visits, documentation reviews, and corrective action follow-up.
- Provide annual CACFP training and ongoing technical assistance to center staff regarding meal service procedures, meal counts, family-style dining, food safety, and program compliance.
- Monitor food service operations for sanitation, food safety, licensing, and program compliance, addressing concerns in a timely manner.
- Partner with Center Directors and the Vice President of Center Operations to identify, communicate, and resolve health, nutrition, and food service concerns affecting children, staff, or program compliance.
- Maintain current knowledge of CACFP regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, Colorado Child Care Licensing Rules, and best practices related to early childhood health and nutrition.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Committed to supporting the health, safety, inclusion, and well-being of young children.
- Comfort using data systems and technology to track records, monitor compliance, and communicate information accurately.
- Ability to manage detailed documentation, deadlines, compliance requirements, and multiple priorities.
- Strong organization and follow-through
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with families, staff, vendors, consultants, and community partners.
- Enjoys a balance of data management and building relationships with children, families, colleagues, partners and vendors
- Uses discretion and maintains confidentiality with matters of children, families, staff, and program as appropriate
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current First Aid/CPR Instructor Certification preferred, or willingness to obtain certification.
- Experience in pediatric, child care, school health, public health, nutrition, or related services preferred.
Prior to employment, candidate must pass federal and state criminal and Colorado Department of Early Childhood background checks, pre-employment drug screen, physical, and verification of employment, education and/or credentials and, by position, valid driver’s license.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing job duties, employee will be required to regularly sit, stand, walk, type, climb three flights of stairs, and may occasionally need to carry 10-25 lbs.
Position also requires physical mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation if requested, to perform essential functions of the job, including but not limited to sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, squatting. Should be able to:
- Exert 20 to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects and occasionally children
- Make fast, simple, repeated movements
- See objects or movement of objects to one’s side when the eyes are focused forward
- See details at a distance and close range
- Detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness
- Keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position
TRAVEL AND REMOTE WORK
Occasional remote working capability for this position is determined by employee’s supervisor
CURRENT BENEFITS
Paid Time Off
- More than 6 weeks of PTO accrue in the first year
- Paid Family Medical Leave for qualifying individuals – up to 90% wage replacement
Medical, Dental, Vision
- Medical insurance – ECLC pays up to 75% of employee premium
- Dental and Vision insurance
- Free Employee Assistance Program
Childcare Benefit
- Substantial discount for childcare: employees pay $25/week for children 3+ who are enrolled at Early Connections Learning Centers
- This benefit depends on having an enrollment opening
Tuition Reimbursement, Continuing Education and Training
- Tuition reimbursement of $150 per 3-credit hour course is available to staff enrolled in approved coursework in Early Childhood Education or related to their position and who maintain the required grade point average.
- Reimbursement may be available for pre-approved job-related certificate programs
Other Insurance
- 100% employer-paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance
- 100% employer-paid Long Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
This position will remain open until filled.
