Early Head Start Teacher

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group; Elk City (OK); On-site; USD 41,548,416 - 74,738,932; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group is hiring an Early Head Start Teacher to provide Toddlers and Twos education in a warm, safe classroom environment.

The role emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities, family engagement, and collaboration with staff and volunteers. A CDA in Infant/Toddler or higher is required, with 2–3 years of relevant experience and CPR/First Aid training.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with a Child Development Associate Credential in Infant/Toddler and 2-3 years of experience. Prefer Associate or Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field. First Aid and Infant/Toddler CPR are required training.
• Knowledge of infant and toddler growth and development principles; nutrition, health, and first aid.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and computer proficiency.
• Annual Tuberculin screen required; initial physical required.
• Negative pre-employment drug screen with current photo ID; ongoing testing per SOCAG policies.
• Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, required according to Oklahoma statutes and program regulations.

Responsibilities

• Utilize the EHS curriculum and Creative Curriculum for Toddlers and Twos to prepare lesson plans, including indoor and outdoor activities that are individualized.
• Organize the classroom by developmental levels and individual needs, providing sensory and motor experiences that foster self‑awareness, autonomy, and self‑expression.
• Promote secure relationships with assigned infants/toddlers, maintaining continuity of care and responding calmly and nurturingly to all children.
• Record child observations in anecdotal records daily, assist with developmental screenings, participate in IFSPs as required, and maintain updated individual and group checklists.
• Provide meals and snacks appropriate to each child’s age and needs, feeding infants according to home schedules and implementing family‑style dining for toddlers when ready.
• Involve parents in all classroom aspects, greeting them warmly, maintaining ongoing communication, sending home activities, and encouraging participation in workshops, training, and other Early Head Start activities.
• Conduct at least two home visits and one parent conference per child each year according to program policy.
• Serve as bus monitor when needed, following safety protocols and conducting counts at each bus stop.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, food reports, in‑kind reports, and other required documentation. Participate in staff and case management meetings, maintain supplies, and submit requisitions as needed. Apply ROMA principles to establish performance goals and improve program and family outcomes.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Infant/Toddler care

Curriculum planning

Family engagement

Communication skills

CPR / First Aid

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA Infant/Toddler

Job description

Job Details

Location: Elk City, OK 73644

Position Type: Full Time | Travel Percentage: Negligible | Shift: Day | Category: Education | Organization: Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc.

Job Description

Job Title: Early Head Start Teacher – Birth to Five Schools

Pay Rate

• Level 1: $14.50/hr – Has Infant/Toddler CDA
• Level 2: $16.00/hr – Has Associate Degree in Early Childhood
• Level 3: $20.00/hr – Has Bachelor Degree with Early Childhood coursework
• Level 4: $26.06/hr – Has Bachelor Degree with Oklahoma Teaching Certificate and Early Childhood endorsement

Supervisory Relationships

Directly supervised by the School Supervisor. Works cooperatively with the Home Based Mobile Educator and with the Managers. Position does not have supervisory duties, but may provide guidance to volunteers.

Purpose

The Early Head Start Teacher provides early education to toddlers in a classroom setting, creating a warm, attractive, and challenging learning environment that is safe and promotes the natural inquisitiveness of young children.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

1. Utilize the EHS curriculum and Creative Curriculum for Toddlers and Twos to prepare lesson plans, including indoor and outdoor activities that are individualized. Multicultural educational materials are included, family‑style meals are incorporated, and both community and parent volunteers are encouraged and documented.
2. Organize the classroom by developmental levels and individual needs, providing sensory and motor experiences that foster self‑awareness, autonomy, and self‑expression. The classroom is homelike, safe, sanitary, and free of clutter, with diaper changing and toilet training performed safely and appropriately.
3. Promote secure relationships with assigned infants/toddlers, maintaining continuity of care and responding calmly and nurturingly to all children. Each teacher is assigned four children, typically sharing a class with another teacher for eight children total.
4. Record child observations in anecdotal records daily, assist with developmental screenings, participate in IFSPs as required, and maintain updated individual and group checklists.
5. Provide meals and snacks appropriate to each child’s age and needs, feeding infants according to home schedules and implementing family‑style dining for toddlers when ready.
6. Involve parents in all classroom aspects, greeting them warmly, maintaining ongoing communication, sending home activities, and encouraging participation in workshops, training, and other Early Head Start activities.
7. Conduct at least two home visits and one parent conference per child each year according to program policy.
8. Serve as bus monitor when needed, following safety protocols and conducting counts at each bus stop.
9. Maintain accurate attendance records, food reports, in‑kind reports, and other required documentation. Participate in staff and case management meetings, maintain supplies, and submit requisitions as needed. Apply ROMA principles to establish performance goals and improve program and family outcomes.
10. Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Performance Expectations

1. Maintain confidentiality of client information.
2. Comply with program and licensing guidelines, SOCAG Personnel Policies, and performance standards.
3. Attend required training, maintaining certifications; training may require evenings, weekends, or overnight travel.
4. Schedule visits when parents are available, which may include evenings and weekends.
5. Provide quality, patient, loving care that meets each child’s social, emotional, physical, and developmental needs, building rapport with families and co‑workers.
6. Complete required documentation accurately and timely, entering data into the computer for assigned families.
7. Stay current on trends in infant and toddler development, teaching methods, and challenges faced by low‑income and minority families, serving as a good role model.

Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED with a Child Development Associate Credential in Infant/Toddler and 2‑3 years of experience. Prefer Associate or Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field. First Aid and Infant/Toddler CPR are required training.
2. Knowledge of infant and toddler growth and development principles; nutrition, health, and first aid.
3. Strong oral and written communication skills and computer proficiency.
4. Annual Tuberculin screen required; initial physical required.
5. Negative pre‑employment drug screen with current photo ID; ongoing testing per SOCAG policies.
6. Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, required according to Oklahoma statutes and program regulations.

Working Conditions

1. Must bend, kneel, stand, and sit at the level of children served, and lift up to 50 pounds.
2. Must interact positively with children and families and conduct home visits as required.
3. Must have flexible availability, including evenings and weekends, to meet scheduling needs.