Early Head Start Teacher

Save the Children; Kannapolis (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off - 10 days winter break

Health care, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement savings plan with employer contributions

Job summary

Save the Children seeks an Early Head Start Teacher in Kannapolis, North Carolina. This role involves developing and implementing educational plans for infants and toddlers, ensuring compliance with regulations, and nurturing partnerships with families.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree in child development and experience with preschool-age children. Responsibilities include guiding activities, maintaining a safe environment, and conducting assessments.

Qualifications

• Required: Minimum of an associate degree in child development or related field.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse individuals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement educational plans for infants and toddlers.
• Guide daily activities and facilitate child development.
• Maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Associate degree in child development or early childhood education

Job description

Position Title: Early Head Start Teacher

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Center Director or Manager, Education & Inclusion

Division: Head Start, U.S. Programs

Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children for over 100 years, working in some of the world's hardest‑to‑reach places, including the U.S. When you join Save the Children, you create positive, irreversible change for children and for the future we all share.

The Role

The Early Head Start Teacher develops and implements individual and group educational plans for infants and toddlers, designed to promote social‑emotional, physical, and cognitive growth in a manner appropriate to their stage of development. In each Early Head Start classroom, two Early Head Start Teachers work together to lead child development activities with support from Program Aides and Volunteers.

In collaboration with a co‑Teacher, you will be responsible for the general, day‑to‑day operations of the Early Head Start classroom, verifying legal compliance with federal, state and local regulations. You will create and nurture strong partnerships with families and ensure that program quality is of the highest standards. You will report directly to the Center Director or Manager of Education & Inclusion.

As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that you come in contact with, adhering to the agency's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change

• In collaboration with a co‑Teacher, develop and implement individualized and group lesson plans and educational activities that promote all developmental areas to improve the readiness of children for preschool.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children including daily classroom activities and field trips.
• Select and set up equipment and materials in the classroom and ensure a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Practice responsive caregiving to promote relational learning and include individualized and small group activities that integrate appropriate routines into a flexible schedule of learning experiences.
• Plan and conduct conferences (minimum 2) and home visits (minimum of 2) or more often as needed to ensure parents/caregiver is well informed on their child's progress of development and learning, routines, activities, and behavior and assist parents in developing observational skills.
• Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated online systems.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Plan, conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings; maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child including weekly observations, examples of the child's work, and developmental assessments.
• Work with Program Aides and Volunteers to develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe.
• Eat with and assist children in eating during mealtime to teach social and self‑help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Ensure that the physical needs of children are met, assisting children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, diapering, and toilet habits.
• Create ways to engage parents in the education of their children, such as encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Create an inventory of all classroom equipment and supplies annually.
• Work in cooperation with Manager of Education & Inclusion to develop and document progress on professional development plans; actively engage in professional development activities to increase qualifications.
• Keep the classroom clean and organized.
• Ensure the mobilization and documentation of matching‑in‑kind activities, goods and services.
• Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have been picked up by parent/legal guardian.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate degree in child development, early childhood education or a related degree with early childhood equivalent coursework, with experience teaching preschool‑age children.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high‑quality services to children and families.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Proven ability to relate sensitively to children.
• Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth‑Kindergarten (B‑K) Licensure preferred.

Additional Qualifications

• Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5‑10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.
• Clear pre‑employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post offer and prior to employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short‑term disability and long‑term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into a High‑Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of the contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
• Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
• Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits.
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year).
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company‑hosted events.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short‑term counseling, referrals, and follow‑up services.
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities.

All applicants are provided a notice of rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.