Early Head Start Teacher II (Day Care Center Teacher II)

This a grant funded position. The salary offer will not exceed the mid-point of the advertised salary range ($69,142.11).

Join Us in Growing Stronger Communities
At the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, we believe every child, family, and community deserves the chance to thrive. Our mission is rooted in partnership-working together to create equitable opportunities and meaningful outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. If you're passionate about early childhood education and want to make a lasting impact, we'd love to have you on our team.

About the Role
We're looking for a dedicated Teacher II to join our Early Head Start program at the Gum Springs Glen Center in Alexandria, VA. Under the guidance of the Early Childhood Education Administrator, you'll lead the daily operations of an Early Head Start classroom, providing nurturing, developmentally appropriate care for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years.

In this role, you will create a warm, play-based learning environment that supports each child's unique needs. You'll also serve as the classroom manager, providing leadership and guidance to Teacher I and classroom aides.

What You'll Do

• Implement developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum in a high-quality early childhood setting
• Foster a safe, engaging, and responsive environment for infants and toddlers
• Conduct developmental screenings and assessments, sharing results through family conferences, home visits, and team meetings
• Ensure compliance with Virginia State Licensing and Head Start Federal Standards
• Prepare documentation for local, state, and federal requirements
• Collaborate closely with county staff, families, and partners throughout the childcare community

Assists the Day Care Center Supervisor by coordinating activity plans, staff assignments and schedules;
Oversees program plans of subordinates;
Supervises the work of Day Care Center Teacher I's, Aides, substitutes and volunteers;
Plans and implements a daily program of developmental experiences for preschool children, and a remedial and enrichment program for school-age children;
Provides care and protection for the children, helping them learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations and to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating and dressing;
From daily observation, notes the physical condition of each child, reports conditions needing attention, and administers first aid treatment when needed;
Maintains progress records on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children;
Holds regular individual parent-teacher conferences and participates in parent group meetings and activities;
Through individual conferences, supervises assistant teachers and aides in daily contact with children;
Maintains attractive, healthful surroundings and assures that equipment and materials are kept accessible to the children and in good condition;
Attends and participates in conferences and workshops related to group day care and other pertinent fields;
Performs center administrative duties, to include liaison with school officials, personnel, payroll, record keeping, cash handling and snack purchasing;
Responsible for center newsletter;
Performs related duties as assigned.

Considerable knowledge of individual behavior and the growth and development of children, and the impact of group relationships;
Knowledge of health, safety and first aid methods;
Knowledge of the factors which cause problems in children;
Ability to establish warm and supportive relationships with children, on a group and individual basis, gaining confidence and trust and imparting a sense of security;
Ability to assume administrative responsibility for the assigned center's overall health and safety program;
Ability to provide a wide variety of stimulating experiences for children to meet individual intellectual and emotional needs;
Ability to recognize problems of both a physical and psychological nature as exhibited by children;
Ability to organize and plan the activities of subordinate day care personnel;
Ability to develop and maintain a working relationship with parents and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a child-related field such as, but not limited to early childhood or elementary education, nursing, recreation, or a related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver's license
• CPR/First Aid certification (required within 60 days)
• AED certification (required within 60 days)

• Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Bachelor's degree or higher in the field of Early Childhood or any discipline that is directly related to the instruction of children.
• Knowledge of Head Start Standards and Creative Curriculum/TS Gold.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in a classroom setting.
• Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.

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