Head Start Teacher

Ecs4kids; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

403(b) plan with 5% employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Generous paid time off

Career development

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

ECS4Kids in Florida is seeking a Teacher I to provide a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children develop language, cognitive, social, and physical skills. You will follow approved curricula, interact with children using positive guidance, and support families while maintaining standards across health and safety.

The role emphasizes collaboration with a classroom coach, consistent record-keeping, and participation in ongoing professional development to sustain high-quality

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with 45-hour DCF training required.
• National CDA credential or a state-awarded CDA credential meeting CDA requirements.
• Must complete TB screening, First Aid/CPR, and ongoing in-service training as described.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing a developmentally appropriate educational program.
• Follow daily schedules and curricula with fidelity.
• Interact with children using CLASS-aligned emotional support and instructional strategies.
• Co-facilitate Groups A & B and engage children across learning centers.
• Maintain health checks, safety standards, and confidentiality.

Skills

Nurturing interactions

Effective communication

Plan and organize work

Positive guidance

Record keeping

Collaborative teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED with 45-hour training

National CDA or state CDA credential

Tools

TS Gold

Job description

Description

JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM

ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.

ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Teacher I provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe and loving environment where each child has the opportunity to develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills appropriately.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education and Development

1. Assist in implementing a culturally sensitive educational program that is developmentally appropriate for each child’s age and language.
2. Follow the approved daily schedule to implement to fidelity the daily lesson plans from the approved curricula.
3. Use teaching strategies that illustrates the CLASS philosophy in Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.
4. Assist classroom Teacher by co-facilitating Groups A & B and actively keeping children engaged during learning activities throughout the day.
5. Purposefully interact with children and extend play and learning by rotating through learning centers during center play.
6. Input daily child observation data in TS Gold.
7. Individualize for children throughout the day based on the observed needs of children, the goals set forth in support plans, and the ongoing analysis of child data.
8. Implement a balanced daily routine that encourages play, exploration, and learning; and which includes teacher-directed and child-directed activities, and inside and outside time.
9. Assist with providing a developmentally appropriate, stimulating learning environment, which includes adding new and interesting materials each week.
10. Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment, using positive guidance techniques and upholding the ECS Discipline policy.
11. Develop nurturing relationships with each child that encourage his or her social and emotional development.
12. Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards (these may include those set forth by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF and Head Start).
13. Participate in research initiatives pertaining to early child hood education, development, and related topics.

Children’s Health and Developmental Services

1. Conduct daily health checks on each child.
2. Follow policies and procedures regarding medical and dental emergencies, shortterm exclusion of children, and the administration, handling, and storing of medication.
3. Ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
4. Maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.

Family Partnerships

1. Provide and encourage effective communication and relationships with families so that parents feel comfortable talking to staff about their children.
2. Attend parent meetings as assigned.
3. Encourage parent involvement in all aspects of the program.
4. Inform parents concerning their children’s progress formally and informally, which may include parent notes, learning outcomes, parent conferences and home visits.
5. Maintain transition procedures for children moving to another classroom or program and coordinate transition with other appropriate program staff.

Nutrition

1. Eat with children, encouraging proper eating habits and conversation.
2. Serve food in a way that encourages the development and socialization of the children.
3. Assist in kitchen duties as assigned.

Training and Communication

1. Communicate regularly with other staff to better serve children and families, including attending staff meetings, trainings, and sharing information.
2. Follow directions and assignments as given by classroom Teacher and supervisor.
3. Work collaboratively and attentively with an in-class coach.
4. Maintain appropriate record keeping.
5. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

This position reports to the Center Manager.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED with DCF 45-hour training required
• National CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate competency to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children
• Ability to exercise control and maintain appropriate classroom discipline
• Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity
• Ability to build and establish collaborative relationships
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and families
• Demonstrates proper use of grammar and communication skills
• Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children. Renew every 2 years.
• Complete on-line Food Handlers Course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
• Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
• Complete a minimum of 25 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Work involves constant visual supervision of children and tolerance of loud noise
• Environment includes indoor classroom and outdoor playground

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.

Background Requirements

A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust. To learn more about the system used to conduct these checks, you can use this link - https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)