Job Overview

job description

overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the y in central maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they've made about how they choose to live their lives. the happiest and most fulfilled y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. if this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

position summary:

manages an early head start classroom within the scope and goals of comar child care regulations, head start performance standards, program's identified curriculum for infants/toddlers and twos and the y in central maryland child care philosophy.

essential functions:

• ensures health, welfare, and safety of children enrolled in the class. maintains appropriate adult/child ratios for the purpose of providing quality care and adherence to local licensing and head start performance standards.

• supervises children at all times, adjusting appropriately for a range of ages and abilities of children.

• promotes feelings of security and trust in infants/toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting and by establishing strong and caring relationships.

• writes and implements individualized daily lesson plans that include objectives, concepts, and strategies for meeting infant/toddler curriculum developmental continuum assessments and head start school readiness outcomes.

• conducts individual observations, assessments, and developmentally appropriate activities for the purpose of measuring growth and development.

• informs and includes all classroom staff, parents and volunteers in daily lesson plans and activities.

• plans and manages classroom structure, i.e. schedule, routines, transitions.

• demonstrates sensitivity, cultural respect, acceptance, and patience.

• conducts developmental screenings of infants/toddlers' motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills within 45 days of enrollment and ongoing as prescribed.

• ensures continuity of care by sharing pertinent information with caregivers about each child and any verbal or written instructions given by the parent.

• maintains classroom education folders and portfolio-assessment binders for children in compliance with head start, comar regulations and curriculum guidelines.

• assures completion of daily and monthly attendance records.

• prepares for and conducts at least two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences annually.

• participates in monthly meetings for parents and recruits their input into planning for classroom activities.

• ensures that parents receive developmentally appropriate home learning activities on a weekly basis.

• recruits, trains and utilizes parent volunteers in the classroom.

• oversees classroom staff, including advising on classroom issues.

• assures that all written communication from the education service area is shared with the classroom team in a timely manner (memo regarding assessments, training, meetings, etc.)

• monitors classroom supplies and submits orders to the education departments when needed.

• maintains a neat, appealing, clean classroom and center (including bathrooms, floors, etc).

• attends and actively participates in early head start, head start and curriculum training to continue professional growth.

• models professional behavior and adherence to y of central maryland baltimore county head start policies and procedures through behavior, appearance, and attitude.

• model positive interactions with infants and toddlers to promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.

• observes infants and toddlers to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, emotional disturbance, or other special needs, and reports these signs immediately to the zone manager.

• work with ehs and head start managers to provide developmentally appropriate early intervention services.

• attend case management meetings, parent conferences, case reviews, iep/ifsp meetings, transition meetings, staff meetings, parent meetings, in-service and pre-service meetings, and other meetings as directed.

• report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.

• takes advantage of training opportunities to continue professional growth.

• may act as point of contact between classroom and zone manager.

• models professional behavior and adherence to y of central maryland baltimore county head start policies and procedures through behavior, appearance, and attitude.

qualifications:

• reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• must obtain a valid criminal background check.

• must obtain a pre-employment physical including a tb test.

• must have access to reliable transportation.

education

• infant/toddler cda (or) 6 semester (90 clock hours) or equivalent of approved early childhood coursework and 3 semesters (45 clock hours) or equivalent approved infant/toddler coursework required

experience

• experience with data entry preferred.

• one year supervised early childhood experience required - two years preferred.

certifications

• possess pediatric first aid and cpr certificate or obtain within 90 days of employment

the y in central maryland provides equal employment opportunities (eeo) to all employees and applicants for employment. moreover, the y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. we strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. thank you for considering working for the y in central maryland. if being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.