Head Start Lead Teacher - Full Time Seasonal

1.    Supervise and train in appropriate practices all staff, parents, student workers and volunteers assigned to the center.

2.    Complete Center Meal Count Attendance sheet at point of service daily and document contact with the assigned Family Advocate when children are absent for three consecutive days.

3.    Complete and disperse appropriate paperwork within required time frames.

4.    Remain current on policies, procedures and activities of Ohio Heartland CAC Head Start, the DCY Child Care Licensing Rules and the Head Start Performance Standards.

5.    Inform families of policies, procedures and activities through monthly parent newsletters, notes and phone calls.

6.    Communicate regularly with assigned Family Advocate regarding child and family concerns.  

7.    Maintain an updated parent information board in the center.

8.    Maintain an updated DCY Licensing board in the center

9.    Complete in a timely manner necessary evaluations for Associate Teachers and on-call staff, as requested.

10.    Encourage and support parents who are working with their own and other children in the classroom and home setting.

11.    Work in cooperation with all Head Start Managers, documenting and making referrals when necessary and/or required.

12.    Report any cases of suspected child neglect or abuse to Children Services, keeping the Social Service area staff, Education Supervising Manager and Intervention Manager advised of any reported or suspected concerns.

13.    Complete and update first aid, communicable disease, CPR, OSHA regulations, child abuse and other training deemed necessary by the program administration. 

14.    Maintain confidentiality of staff, children and family records at all times.

15.    Attend all required staff meetings.

16.    Communicate effectively and interact with children, their parents/guardians and other center staff and volunteers and community representatives.

17.    Meet and plan as a team with other center staff for implementation of staff/child individualized plans, as needed.

18.    Complete and post Weekly Planning Forms including codes for all children using the current curriculum studies.

19.    Post updated menus, record temperatures and make corrections as substitutions occur.  

20.    Oversee daily operations of the center.

21.    Will be required with prior notice to work flexible hours outside the normal 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. workday on occasion in order to adhere to and stay in compliance with regulations stated within the Head Start Performance Standards.

22.    If listed as a center administrator, the Lead Teacher will be present in the center at least half of the hours that the  center is in operation to meet DCY Child Care Licensing Rules.  The center administrator hours will be posted on the DCY licensing board.

23.    Due to program needs, least senior employee in a position must accept Re-Call from Seasonal Lay Off or unemployment will be terminated and discharge will follow.

24.    Participate in team-teaching with all staff assigned to the center, working in cooperation with classroom team members.

25.    Count the children when exiting or entering a room or outdoor space.

26.    Must match the name of the child on the Attendance sheet to the face of the child when receiving a child into your classroom ratio.

27.    Meet and plan with staff for implementation of Individual Intensive Intervention plans.

Classroom Responsibilities:

1.    Provide and promote a caring, nurturing and positive environment while maintaining positive relationships in the center for children, families, staff and volunteers.

2.    Provide developmentally appropriate activities using the current curriculum or an agreed upon developmentally appropriate curriculum, if in a collaborative situation ensuring School Readiness Goals are implemented.

3.     Provide activities which promote the current curriculum philosophy, the Frogstreet assessment tool, ODE Early Learning and Development Standards, Step Up To Quality and the DCY Child Care Licensing Rules.

4.    Complete periodic health checks on children.

5.    Plan and complete a minimum of 2 community engagement activities per year. One activity must be completed by December and the other one completed by April. 

6.    Maintain and replenish classroom supplies ensuring that all children’s toys and classroom furniture are cleaned on a monthly basis and that furniture is kept in good condition. Report any splintering wood, etc. to your Education Supervising Manager.

7.    Complete a minimum of one dental, one drug/alcohol/safety awareness, and one nutrition activity (using real food) per month.

8.    Contribute to the security of the center and/or facility and follow the center’s maintenance procedure for reporting any furniture or playground equipment that needs repaired.

9.    Be respectful with the staff and owners in the buildings in which we rent space. Be responsible with facilities. (Often times we are in a rented facility and must be respectful of this.) All concerns must be addressed with the Education Supervising Manager or the Child Health and Education Director, not with the staff in the buildings in which we rent. 

10.    Develop relationships with children and families that promote positive social emotional development utilizing techniques from Conscious Discipline program.

11.   Change soiled clothing while following OSHA and Health regulations and guidelines.

12.   Maintain an accessible First Aid Kit at all times.

13.   Promote and respect the cultural diversity of the families, children and communities that we serve.

14.    Ensure that child care routines are performed in a manner that is prompt, hygienic, and consistent with child development principles, including hand washing, toothbrushing, mealtime and transitions between activities.

15.    Maintain a clean, safe environment at all times including outdoor areas, center, storage room and bathrooms.

16.    Fully participate in and contribute to healthy family style meals including retrieving and returning dishes and food, setting and serving meals following USDA guidelines, Head Start Performance Standards, ODH Standards and DCY Child Care Licensing Rules. Sit, eat and interact with the children to role model appropriate behavior at meals.

17.    Supervise and insure the safety and well-being of the children at all times, being alert for the needs of the children as individuals and as a group.

18.    Operate the center in full compliance with DCY Child Care Licensing Rules, Step Up To Quality and Head Start Performance Standards requirements.

19.    Operate the center in full compliance with the OHCAC Head Start Child Positive Behavior Support Policy that prohibits corporal punishment.

20.    Supervise and insure the safety and well-being of the children at all times, being alert for the needs of the children as individuals and as a group.

21.    Transfer of site assignment when necessary for the operation of the program when management finds it appropriate. 

22.    Document height and weight measurements twice a year and continually update when new children are placed in the center. Submit measurement results to assigned Health Manager.

Record Keeping Responsibilities:

1.    Complete the Early Screening Inventory (ESI) and the Devereax Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) on each child within 45 days.

2.    Maintain an ongoing file for each child which includes documentation of progress, two current emergency contact numbers, current physical and dental exam and all other required records.

3.    Ensure that all staff and volunteer files are in compliance with DCY Child Care Licensing Rules.

4.    Record anecdotal notes throughout the year regarding the development of the children.  Enter children’s data into the computer for the current assessment tool on an ongoing basis.

5.    Complete and document a minimum of two home visits and two parent conferences for each enrolled family in the program year by the required time lines.

6.    Generate and record in-kind donations of time, space and materials.

7.    Collaborate with L.E.A. specialists (speech therapists, itinerant staff, etc.) who will be working with children in the center. Provide required paperwork.

8.    Maintain an updated Center Binder/File.

9.    Complete a yearly inventory check.

10.    Actively promote the Head Start program, assist and recruit families year-round.

11.    Obtain approval for absences, late arrivals and early departures directly from the Education Supervising Manager or the Child Health and Education Director.

12.    When absence is necessary you must notify supervisor at least one hour prior to scheduled work time.

13.    Check mailboxes and e-mails daily.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.    Assist in the classroom, screening or other needed areas as required by the Director, Supervisor, or Manager.  This includes using personal car for work related errands including transportation of food.

2.    Work with community agencies to help families meet their goals and needs.

3.    Communicate with the Family Advocate assigned to the center on concerns for children and families (daily attendance, family volunteers, etc.).

4.    Act as an appropriate role model at all times for children, co-workers, volunteers and families.

5.    Perform any assigned duties in an efficient and dependable manner to meet or stay in compliance with state and federal regulations.

6.    Must be willing to travel within Marion, Crawford, Morrow and Richland counties.

7.    Lunch hour must be observed unless you are used to maintain staff ratio in a classroom.

8.    Required to have Time and Mileage entered electronically on a weekly basis according to your supervisor’s schedule.

9.    Participate in non-required workshops, education, and training within for personal and professional growth, when possible.

10.    Actively promote agency programs and assist families.

11.    Participate in a team process both within the department and the corporation.

12.    Attend internal and external meetings, representing the agency in external meetings as required.

13.    Maintain a safe driving record and have reliable transportation.

14.    Out-of-town travel with occasional overnight stays.

15.    Availability to work in excess of 37.5 hours per week in order to fulfill position requirements.

16.    Adhere to all OHCAC Personnel Policies and Procedures and all written agency policies.

17.    Drug and alcohol testing to be conducted as required by OHCAC and funding source.

18.    State and federal criminal checks to be conducted as required by funding source and OHCAC.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

1.    The Head Start Lead Teacher is accountable to the Education Supervising Manager.

2.    The Head Start Lead Teacher is accountable for all Head Start Performance Standards, DCY Child Care Licensing Rules and the safety of children at all times.

3.    Once a Lead Teacher receives their Degree or Credentialing that Head Start has paid for, they are required to work for OHCAC Head Start for a minimum of three years after the completion of the program. If the Lead Teacher fails to complete the coursework required for completion of the degree certification program or fails to complete the one-year requirement of working for OHCAC that OHCAC has paid for, the Lead Teacher/former staff will be responsible for the repayment of the money expended by OHCAC. Accumulated Annual Leave will be used to re-pay tuition costs to the Agency for failure to be continuously enrolled in the required credentialing program. A contract will be signed to that effect.

4.    OHCAC will pay for tuition and books for required certification only. No release time from work will be given to attend any required classes. 

5.    Video and audio recordings will be made during Head Start activities and observations and will be used for public relations, professional development, training and/or possible disciplinary action.

1.    A Baccalaureate or Advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education, preferred; a Baccalaureate or Advanced Degree and Coursework Equivalent to a Major Relating to Early Childhood Education, with experience teaching Preschool- Age Children, preferred. A minimum of an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, with experience teaching Preschool-Age children is required.

2.    Head Start experience or experience in an organized early childhood program preferred.

3.    Must be flexible and able to work with a diverse population.

4.    Must respect and maintain absolute confidentiality.

5.    Must be able to work independently with initiative, creativity, and without constant supervision.

6.    Fluent knowledge of the English language – both verbal and written. Acceptable communication skills and technical skills in order to perform duties to the fullest

7.    Computer skills required.

8.    Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals preferred.

9.    Ability to compute rates, ratios, and/or percentage preferred.

10.    Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions preferred.

11.    Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; hear; and smell. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to move quickly to retrieve a running child.

12.    The employee is occasionally required to climb or to balance.

13.    The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

14.    Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to clearly see the entire classroom.

15.    Must pass the requirements of the insurance company in regard to age (18) and driving record.

16.    Must possess a valid Ohio Driver's License or be able to obtain one before the first day of employment, have ready access to a drivable vehicle and carry private car insurance.

17.    Must show courtesy and respect to staff and customers at all times.

Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission has in effect a clean air/smoking/tobacco use policy which prohibits smoking or use of tobacco products in all offices and on or in any agency owned or agency occupied properties or vehicles. This policy applies to ALL Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission staff, regardless of program.