Early Head Start Teacher

60 Innovative Network of Knowledge; Karnes City (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

60 Innovative Network of Knowledge is looking for an Early Head Start Preschool Teacher in Karnes City, Texas. The role involves planning and implementing curriculum for infants and toddlers, supporting families, and ensuring compliance with Head Start standards.

The ideal candidate will have a high school degree, CDA certification, and preferably 2 years of related experience. This is a chance to positively impact children's early learning and development.

Qualifications

• Prefer 2 years of related experience in the Early Head Start preschool classroom setting.
• Clear criminal background check and driving history check.
• Work eligibility status confirmation and U.S. citizenship or authorized work status.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement Frog Street Infants & Toddlers curriculum.
• Supervise all classroom and outdoor activities.
• Support social and emotional development of children.

Skills

Strong knowledge of early childhood development

Excellent communication skills

Ability to supervise classroom and volunteers

Extensive computer knowledge

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Education

High School degree or GED

CDA (Child Development Associate) certification

First Aid and CPR certifications

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Job Overview

This position is for an Early Head Start Preschool Teacher. The role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum for infants and toddlers, supporting families, and maintaining program compliance with Head Start standards and regulations.

Education & Certifications

• High School degree or GED, and CDA (Child Development Associate) certification.
• First Aid and CPR certifications (current and maintained).
• Preference for bilingual (Spanish).

Qualifications

• Prefer 2 years of related experience in the Early Head Start preschool classroom setting.
• Current or former Head Start employees, students, and parents receive hiring preference, if qualified.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development, including developmental and social‑emotional practices.
• Extensive computer knowledge (Word, Excel, e‑mail).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team‑work skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
• Ability to supervise classroom, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to handle moderate to loud noise level and adapt to occasional evening or weekend work.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train.
• Physically able to lift 60 pounds and engage in physical play with children.
• Clear criminal background check and driving history check.
• Work eligibility status confirmation and U.S. citizenship or authorized work status.
• English proficiency in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Attend all required training, including online training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings.
• Remain up to date on information (Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, DFPS Child Care licensing regulations, IDEA & Part C/Early On, etc.).
• Collaborate with all education staff, parents, and Parent Committee members to implement a meaningful curriculum that meets individual child goals.
• Maintain strict confidentiality (FERPA & HIPAA) regarding children, families, and staff.
• Keep current with developmentally appropriate practices and social‑emotional development for infants & toddlers.
• Collaborate with parents to identify learning opportunities and promote positive attachment.
• Model appropriate communication skills, guidance techniques, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Continue professional growth through training sessions and ECE classes.
• Remain familiar with environmental rating scales and appropriate assessment screenings.
• Develop knowledge of screenings, assessments, and evaluation instruments.
• Supervise all classroom and outdoor activities.
• Plan and implement Frog Street Infants & Toddlers curriculum, considering ages, languages, and cultures of children served.
• Document and provide Part C Service Coordination for children with special needs; communicate with Director of Family Engagement and Managers.
• Plan and implement learning experiences that strengthen intellectual and physical competencies, supporting readiness for school through literacy, phonemic print, and numeracy awareness.
• Use enriched language to deepen vocabulary understanding and support emerging problem‑solving abilities.
• Implement education lesson plans and individualization for infants & toddlers based on observation and recording interests and developmental progress.
• Support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance and discipline.
• Maintain professionalism and base decisions on early childhood theories and practices.
• Participate in family‑style mealtimes as curriculum activity to model good nutrition and social skills.
• Ensure a purposeful program responsive to children’s needs.
• Cooperate with parents to observe, screen, assess, evaluate, monitor, and document infants and toddlers’ development, health, dental and social‑emotional health.
• Refer families to local service agencies when additional services/support are needed.
• Document and report suspected instances of child abuse as required by law.
• Develop knowledge of and participate in eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes.
• Accurately submit paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor.
• Maintain a complete record‑keeping system on each child’s developmental progress, behavior, health, and parental concerns.
• Gather and maintain individual, family, and classroom data for documentation, ongoing assessment, evaluation, and record‑keeping.
• Understand, generate, and document in‑kind and other allowable costs toward non‑federal share requirements.
• Maintain an individual system to assure program’s needs for parent involvement in each classroom.
• Establish positive and productive relationships with families, focusing on trust and rapport.
• Participate in the orientation of parents to Early Head Start throughout the year.
• Facilitate, provide childcare, and support monthly Parent Committee meetings at the center.
• Schedule and arrange meetings and parent‑teacher conferences and home visits as required.
• Involve parents in educational activities, emphasizing their role as primary caregivers and supporting their knowledge, understanding, and skills.
• Identify and arrange for parents to volunteer in the classroom and work as substitutes and other volunteer activities.
• Collect monthly in‑kind records from parents and submit reports to the supervisor.
• Positively promote Early Head Start in the community.
• Supervise classroom volunteers, including parents as assigned.
• Work closely with community agencies for shared activities, recruitment, and transition.

Requirements

• Ability to work in diverse environments.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in early childhood development.
• Extensive computer knowledge of Word & Excel, access to e‑mail, and willingness to learn new programs.
• Ability to supervise classroom, staff, and volunteers.
• Knowledge of the state and federal child abuse and DFPS Child Care licensing regulations.
• Knowledge of local resources and families’ cultures.
• Responsive to the needs of children and work well with staff, children, and families.
• Plan, organize, and implement classroom activities.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate records reflecting program requirements and child progress.
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and positive attitude in early childhood education.
• Patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public.
• Project professionalism in daily activities.
• Read and follow Performance Standards, Program Policies & Procedures, DFPS Child Care Licensing regulations and emails daily.
• Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation procedures.
• Knowledge of current car seat safety regulations and laws when transporting children and families.
• Ability to lift 60 pounds.
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage in physical play in various learning environments.
• Exposed to communicable diseases and other hazards (cigarette smoke, pets, at‑risk neighborhoods).
• Handle moderate to loud noise level.
• Consent for up to 50% travel by car, bus, airplane, or train to attend conferences, meetings, and duties at distant locations.
• Work occasional evening or weekend events (home visits, parent‑teacher conferences, community events, field trips).
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successfully pass a driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check.
• English proficiency (United States).

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.