Head Teacher Infant/Toddler

Acquire4Hire; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Short-term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Retirement Plan

Childcare Discounts

Job summary

YWCA Hartford Region is seeking a Head Teacher I to provide a safe, supportive environment and plan developmentally appropriate activities for children in the Early Learning Center. You will assist the Site Manager with supervision and training of staff while delivering high-quality classroom programming.

The role emphasizes curriculum delivery, classroom management, staff coaching, and strict adherence to CACFP, OEC, and accreditation standards.

Qualifications

• Must meet OEC requirements or CDA/12 credits in Early Learning.
• Head Teacher Certificate from CT OEC is required.
• CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within two months.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the delivery of age-appropriate programs fostering development.
• Supervise and evaluate assistant teachers and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with OEC/NAEYC accreditation standards and safety protocols.
• Maintain documentation and communicate with parents and staff.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to staff and ensure effective staff-parent communication.

Skills

Curriculum planning

Child development knowledge

Background checks clearance

Transportation

Parent communication

Education

Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate

CDA certification or 12 Early Learning credits

Job description

About This Role

Year Round, Full Time, Monday - Friday

37.5 Hours per week will fall within hours of operation 7:00 am -5:30 pm

Position Summary

The Head Teacher I will provide a supportive, respectful, safe, and healthy environment for children enrolled in the YWCA Hartford Region Early Learning Center and plan and manage the delivery of age-appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, intellectual, and interpersonal development of the children enrolled in the program. The Head Teacher will assist the Site Manager with supervision, training, and evaluation of assistant teachers and volunteers.

What You’ll Do

Essential Functions of the Job:

Curriculum Delivery

• Plans and manages the delivery of age-appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of the children enrolled in the program;
• Implements all Support Plans and coaches and mentors support staff in implementing plans;
• Communicates curriculum objectives, models, and coaches support staff in the delivery of goals, and respectfully provides immediate feedback;
• Identifies children needing additional support and implements differentiated instruction;
• Ensures that the Site Manager is aware of program-related issues that may impact service quality, accreditation, licensing, child safety, health, and parent satisfaction;

Classroom Management

• Monitors all aspects of the program and service delivery to ensure staffing levels, facility equipment, and material used are fully compliant with the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), National Association for the Education of Youth and Children (NAEYC) accreditation criteria and requirements, health and safety standards, and Child Development Center (CDC) or School Readiness requirements where applicable;
• Utilizes the appropriate steps within the YWCA Hartford Region’s Positive Guidance Policy and works collaboratively with the support staff, Instructional Leader, and family to work through the appropriate process to support children with additional needs;
• Observes, assesses, and documents each child’s developmental progress in all core areas of learning in collaboration with support staff;
• Reports all child-related incidents and completes Incident Reports within 24 hours;

Coaching and Mentoring

• Identifies issues among staff in the classroom and implements appropriate interventions to maintain a safe and orderly environment;
• Models a degree of professional decorum and dress appropriate to the program's mission and values to ensure achievement of the same by staff members;
• Provides support staff with mentoring and coaching to implement developmentally appropriate lessons, activities, and environments;
• Facilitates effective ongoing communication between staff and parents in the resolution of issues or concerns;
• Provides performance feedback to staff within 48 hours, documenting and escalating ongoing concerns to the Site Manager immediately;
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with parents, students, staff, and the local community;

Compliance and Reporting

• Complies with and ensures that support staff is following all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) procedures and documentation requirements;
• Follows OEC and YWCA Hartford Region’s protocols for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect;
• Responds to all medical situations and initiates appropriate intervention to ensure the health and safety of all children;
• Receives, secures, and dispenses prescription medication per defined procedures and physician directives;
• Oversees the daily utilization of the YWCA Hartford Region’s Name-to-Face Accountability and Ratio sheets to ensure proper accountability and safety of children;
• Tracks, monitors, and maintains program and participant records per OEC and YWCA Hartford Region’s procedures, ensuring accurate completion, timely revision, and secure retention of program records;
• Reports and documents all work-related injuries to the Site Manager immediately;
• Remains current with trends, development, and best practices in the field of child care, early childhood education, and the Sanctuary Training Model; and
• Other duties as assigned;

Requirements

Education:

• Must meet the degree requirements as outlined by the OEC, or
• CDA certification and 12 credits in Early Learning, or has a plan in place to meet OEC requirements for Head Teacher;

License or Certifications:

• Connecticut State Office of Early Childhood Head Teacher Certificate, and
• CPR/First Aid Certified or the ability to obtain certification within the first two months of employment;

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of work experience in an educational setting with children required;
• Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum planning;
• Strong knowledge of child development and psychology;
• Must be able to successfully pass both OEC and criminal background checks;
• Physical required upon hire;
• Must have own transportation, valid driver's license, and proof of insurance;

Benefits

A career with YWCA Hartford provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or special part-time (intermittent).

• Health Insurance - Group medical, dental and vision plans offer comprehensive coverage to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
• Long-term Disability - Eligible employees receive company-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Short-term Disability - All eligible employees may elect short-term disability to cover the employee for 12 weeks, if disabled. This is an employee-paid option.
• Life Insurance - A company-paid group life insurance plan is available to eligible employees.
• Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents.
• Time Off From Work - Eligible employees receive ten paid holidays per year, paid vacation and personal time, as well as paid sick time.
• Retirement Plan - All eligible employees are enrolled in a non-contributory pension plan after two years of employment.
• Childcare Discounts - Employees receive discounts on childcare offered at YWCA Hartford Region.

EOE/ AA