Vital Connections of the Midlands
Teacher Job Description
Job Title:
Teacher
Department:
Early Head Start
Reports To:
Child Care Center Director
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Hours:
8 hours per day between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
Supervises:
Floaters and Classroom Volunteers
Qualifications: Minimum: Infant/Toddler CDA, Preferred 4 yr degree in Early Childhood
Infant Toddler
Position Summary:
Teaching Team shares responsibility for planning the daily program for children incorporating
appropriate early intervention, learning and care activities which meet the needs of the group as
well as those of individual children and families. Each teacher is responsible for planning and
implementing activities designed to promote the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual
growth of the children in their primary care. The Teaching Team is responsible for caring,
nurturing, and facilitating the learning of young children, based on the philosophy of the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Early Head Start
Performance Standards.
Essential Function(s) Duties and Responsibilities: Providing a comprehensive program with
the goal of a meaningful classroom experience; providing guidance and direction to meet the
individual needs of infants and toddlers.
 Prepares the learning environment for children as assigned by the Center Director or
other VCM administrators.
 Plans and records a weekly plan based on developmentally appropriate practices, with
age-appropriate activities. Weekly curriculum plans (typed) are to be posted in the
classroom after being reviewed by the Center Director or other VCM administrators.
 Establishes and maintains a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment; complete
daily Classroom Health and Safety Checklist, Play Yard Safety Checklist - reporting
any safety concerns to the Director.
 Complete Accident/Incident reports, reports as needed and follow appropriate
procedures.
 Provides direct care and supervises children both indoors and outdoors and insures all
safety procedures are followed.
 Assists children with personal hygiene needs and self-help skills, including dental care.
 Maintains cleanliness of the classroom and the facility. With older toddlers, the
teacher will support their emerging sense of independence by encouraging caring for
own clothing and picking up and putting away toys and books.
 Serves meals and assists with clean-up routines, sanitizing toys and tables. Facilitates
family style meals as age appropriate, Completes CACFP requirements.
 Works with other staff to create and maintain an effective working team and presents a
positive role model for children. Attends all staff meetings, team meetings, and required
training, attending at least 20 hours of specified, professional training annually. Related
Revised June 2013 Policy Council Approval June 2013
Page 1
college courses may be substituted with approval. Infant/child CPR and First Aid
training also required.
 Models positive and appropriate staff to child interactions; provides frequent, warm
contact with children.
 Establishes and maintains positive professional relationships with families. Greets
parents and children daily by name when they arrive and depart. Encourages parents
and other family members to participate in the program.
 Maintains all required classroom records including anecdotals, portfolios for each child
with individual documentation of children’s progress and evaluations.
 Plans and holds home visits and conferences with parents of children in the class.
Incorporates parent’s educational goals into weekly individual child plans. Provides
daily written feedback to parents.
 Maintains professional ethics and policies of Vital Connections of the Midlands.
 Participates in the Self-Study for NAEYC Accreditation and the Annual Review.
 Participates in all ChildPlus reporting duties, and GOLD assessments and learning
objectives. Uses results of assessments to plan classroom activities based on child’s
developmental level.
 Responsible for the set-up and maintenance of the classroom environment, including
displaying children’s artwork, parent information, and data walls.
 Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Duties:
1. Implement Creative Curriculum, NAEYC Accreditation Criteria, and Head Start
Performance Standards for Early Head Start classrooms. Develops a developmentally
appropriate daily schedule that provides a balance of individual, small group and large
group activities. Prepare weekly lesson plans in advance that include both indoor and
outdoor activities; including nutrition, physical activities, and health/safety are
individualized and based on the infants/toddlers own needs, interest and schedules; and,
include multicultural educational materials and activities; family-style meals and other
elements, as appropriate. Document volunteer activities, and parent communication
regarding children’s functions and activities.
2. Organize classroom according to developmental levels and individual needs of the infant
or toddler ensuring: the development of trust, emotional security and positive selfesteem; opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences;
opportunities for the development of self awareness, autonomy, and self expression; and
opportunities for gross and fine motor development. Ensure infant and toddler
classrooms are home-like, safe, sanitary, and free of clutter. Organize the toddler
classrooms in interest areas that are well defined, rotating materials routinely to create a
stimulating environment. Provide for diaper changing and toilet learning functions in the
classroom in a safe, sanitary and developmentally appropriate manner.
3. Promote the development of secure relationships with infant/toddlers assigned by
assuring primary and continuity of care. Relate to infants and toddlers in a calm, caring,
nurturing, soothing manner, responding to all cries, babbles, and talks, using appropriate
child guidance techniques at all times. Stay involved with children at all times during the
day. Set consistent, realistic limits that focus on the behavior, not the child. Avoid
Revised June 2013 Policy Council Approval June 2013
Page 2
discipline problems by being prepared and using redirection. Establish routines with
smooth transition periods.
4. Observe children and record observations in anecdotal records, making appropriate
referrals. Conduct or assist with developmental screenings, as assigned. Participate in
IFSP’s as required. Maintain individual objectives for development and learning;
illustrating growth and progress for each child as well as the group as a whole.
5. Manage classroom operations, providing training and technical assistance to Floaters,
parents and volunteers, as needed. Maintain a clean, safe learning environment at all
times.
6. Provide meals and snacks to children according to their age, development and needs.
Feed infants according to their home schedule, hold them every time they are fed, and
share information about their eating with their parents daily. Begin family style dining
with toddlers when they are ready and implement according to program policy and
procedures, NAEYC Accreditation Criteria, and EHS performance Standards.
7. Involve parents in all aspects of the classroom. Greet parents and children pleasantly and
appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the center, a positive home-center
connection and a family partnership. Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate
communication with parents through a variety of methods. Weekly lesson plans MUST
be signed by all families to ensure their participation in curriculum planning. Encourage
parents to become involved in workshops, parent meetings and other Early Head Start
activities.
8. Conduct at least two home visits and two parent conferences with each child’s family per
year, according to the program schedule, policies and procedures.
9. Maintain accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports and other record
keeping and reports, as required. Participate in program training, monthly staff meetings
and case management meetings. Maintain supplies and submit a list to supervisor when
additional items are needed.
10. Report to work at scheduled times and request time off according to agency policies and
procedures. Perform all duties in a timely and professional manner. Participate with a
positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
11. Continue professional growth by participating in ECE classes, training programs,
workshops/conferences, as the budget allows.
12. Perform other duties assigned and reasonable within the scope of the duties listed above.
Additional Requirements:
Due to the nature of the job responsibilities, the co- teacher must be physically capable of
supervising children, standing for extended periods of time, sitting on the floor, kneeling,
bending, and lifting children up to 30 pounds, and be computer literate.
I have read and understand the job description listed above. My questions have been answered.
I am fully qualified for this position and can perform the duties as described. I understand that
this is not an exhaustive list of all my duties and responsibilities. I understand that Vital
Connections Administration reserves the right to revise this job description as deemed necessary.
Date____________________________
Name (print):______________________________
Signature:_____________________________________________________________________
Revised June 2013 Policy Council Approval June 2013
Page 3