ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Maintain confidentiality.Plan and implement activities as outlined in Head Start Performance Standards and other Agency documents.Develop a respectful, supportive, trusting relationship with each family assisting them in meeting their own needs and planning for their childs optimal growth.Read and be familiar with Early Head Start/Head Start regulatory standards and interpret the program philosophy to families and the community.Coordinate with Lead Teacher to make at least one home visit a year per child and schedule/hold two parent/teacher conferences to discuss their childs progress and development.Maintain on-going communication with parents through written and verbal means.With assistance from other staff, observe, assess, plan, record and evaluate each childs developmental progress and make proper referrals when need is indicated.Provide a safe, healthy, nurturing atmosphere that promotes optimal growth in children.Keep classroom and classroom materials clean and sanitized; labeled and orderly; maintain an inventory of materials.Prepare meals and snacks as needed following CACFP and Head Start guidelines.Obtain substitute when absent from the classroom; inform supervisor of such situations.Attend meetings as need indicates, including parent meetings, staff meetings, support meetings, and participate in community activities.Participate in pre-service, in-services, and other training opportunities as mandated.Help involve parents in Early Head Start by attending parent activities, planning, and conducting activities they can do with their child in the classroom and at home.Establish constructive discipline procedures for groups and individual children while maintaining a daily routine conducive to optimal development of children.Monitor and record childrens daily activities and yearly growth.Assist with housekeeping chores for health and safety of the children including sweeping/vacuuming after spills, cleaning dishes, cleaning/sanitizing tables, mopping/disinfecting and picking up classroom, as well as classroom laundry nes.Foster growth of children by: building confidence and responsibility in each child; modeling and encouraging proper personal hygiene; interacting individually and in small groups with children; achieving consistent discipline within the classroom; modeling and encouraging pleasant conversation, good eating habits and proper table manners during meals; eating the same menus with the children at child-sized table.Develop weekly lesson plans that are developmentally appropriate to the age of the children.Relay pertinent information between families and Early Head Start / Head Start staff.Assist Lead Teacher with preparing meals and implementing activities and performance of duties as necessary for operation of the classroom.Substitute for Lead Teacher when necessary.Work with individuals, groups, agencies and organizations to advocate for families and to promote the program and its goals.Responsible for keeping children clean including cleaning up bodily fluids, changing diapers, assist with toilet training to be in compliance with licensing standards.Knowledgeable of and responsible for the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and aware of the Agencys other programs, mission and goals.[]{style="font-family"}