Early Head Start Teacher

Learning Empowered; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Learning Empowered in Saint Petersburg, FL is seeking an Infant/Toddler Specialist to plan and implement educational activities for infants and toddlers in the Early Head Start program. You will ensure compliance with federal performance standards and participate in HS/EHS QA efforts.

The role requires developing individual education plans, maintaining portfolios, and communicating with families. Strong collaboration with Center Director and staff is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: High school diploma or GED; plus CDA Preschool/Infant-Toddler endorsement or equivalent.
• Preference for 2 years of HS/EHS/preschool experience.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus (English/Spanish or other local languages).

Responsibilities

• Plan daily lesson plans for infants and toddlers meeting federal performance standards.
• Organize classrooms into distinct learning areas to promote engagement.
• Screen and assess children to develop individualized education plans.
• Maintain health checks and safety in daily activities.
• Communicate progress to parents via conferences and notes.
• Prepare and submit required forms and reports per federal requirements.

Skills

Infant/toddler education

Active supervision

Parent communication

Portfolio documentation

Safety and health monitoring

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDA Preschool or Infant/Toddler endorsement

Tools

MS Office

Childcare software

Job description

General Description

Performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for infants and toddlers in the Early Head Start Program that comply with federal performance standards. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions

• Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses infants and toddlers to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for infants and toddlers
• Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.
• Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of required paperwork.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Develop positive caregiver relationships with children.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Infant/Toddler Specialist Success Rubric.
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are ready for preschool.
• Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.
• Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information.
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Request supplies and equipment to be ordered for use by children in the classroom.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other EHS staff.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.
• Attends Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) training yearly.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to HS/EHS children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Other Functions

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, staff assigned may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements

• Pre-hire health physical examination and TB test (repeated every two years of employment)
• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Physical ability to extend arms overhead, grasp with hands, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, walk, sit on floor

Education & Experience

• Minimum Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool or Infant/Toddler Endorsement; if Preschool CDA, must have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development, OR Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) OR Florida Child Care Professional Certification (FCCPC) birth – 5 years old OR an associate or bachelor’s degree in related field as well as training or coursework with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• Preferred: 2 years’ experience working with HS, EHS, preschool or kindergarten aged children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Required Training & Certifications

• Clean Local and Level II Background Checks (when conducted by agency upon hire) and maintained throughout employment
  • The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a first-in-the-nation enterprise system for background screening results of individuals required by law to undergo screening for employment in positions that provide services to vulnerable populations, as mandated by House Bill 531 (2025): https://info.flclearinghouse.com
• Completion of State Childcare Training required including
  • Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Infant/Toddlers within 12 months of hire date,
  • Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Syndrome training within 30 days of hire date, and
  • Proof of successful completion of the 45 hours of Florida Child Care Facility Training within 12 months of hire date.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire

Skills

• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for infant/toddler education.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to infant/toddler development.
• Working knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to infant/toddler development.
• Skill in the application of supervisory techniques.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication with infants and toddlers.
• Ability to resolve conflicts between infant/toddler children.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement infant/toddler education curriculums.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor for extended periods of time.
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First-Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children.

Other

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principle Accountabilities

• Team player with co-workers and center office staff.
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.
• Effective staff management and leadership.

Reports to

Center Director

Hours: Full-Time (40 hrs per week) Year Round

Learning Empowered's Head Start/Early Head Start staff are hired for year-round employment, and are assigned to summer program positions outside of the regular Head Start school calendar.

FLS Status

Non-exempt/hourly

All Learning Empowered employees are hired At-Will. No contract is implied or intended.