Parent Partner- SPARK

Action for Children; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Generous PTO

Hybrid schedule

Employer match up to 1%

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Action for Children is seeking an experienced home visitor to join the SPARK program in Central Ohio. You will conduct regular home visits with enrolled families, administer developmental screenings, and develop personalized goal plans to support school readiness for children ages 3–5.

You will coach parents to become their child’s first and best teacher. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field or 5+ years of ECE experience, with strong communication, organizational, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience in ECE
• Minimum 3 years of experience in early childhood care and education, including direct work with children
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with adult learners, including goal setting and coaching
• Knowledge of early childhood development for ages 3–5
• Familiarity with ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 assessments
• Experience developing individualized goal plans for children or families
• Self-motivated, flexible, creative, and collaborative
• Strong organizational, time management, and written/verbal communication skills; able to adapt to various audiences
• Ability to engage families consistently and support developmental goals
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general comfort with technology
• Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed
• Desirable: experience supporting pre-K literacy, math, and social-emotional development; family outreach/recruitment; knowledge of local resources; bilingual abilities

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular home visits with enrolled families and build trusting relationships with parents
• Administer developmental screenings and assessments (ASQ-3, ASQ:SE-2)
• Develop individualized goal plans for children and families, and coach parents
• Guide parents to support school readiness for Kindergarten and beyond
• Connect families with community resources and services
• Maintain accurate records of visits, assessments, and plans per program requirements

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Experience with adult learners

Coaching families

Adaptability

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Ecology, or related field

5 years of experience in the ECE field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Action for Children is the local childcare resource and referral agency in Central Ohio. Our mission is to transform the lives of children by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the adults who make the biggest impact on children’s lives—their parents, caregivers, and teachers.

We foster a supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, grow professionally, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of families and communities.

Learn more at actionforchildren.org

What You’ll Do

Action for Children is seeking an experienced and compassionate professional to join our SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) home visiting team. SPARK is a family-focused, school-readiness program that empowers parents to be their child’s first and best teacher, ensuring children are ready to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond. This role involves working directly with families to support children’s transition from home to school.

• Conduct regular home visits with enrolled families, building trusting and consistent relationships with parents
• Administer developmental screenings and assessments, including the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2)
• Develop individualized goal plans for children and families, and coach parents in supporting their child’s growth
• Guide parents in strategies to serve as their child’s first and best teacher, supporting school readiness for Kindergarten and beyond
• Connect families with community resources and services to help them thrive
• Maintain accurate records of home visits, assessments, and family goal plans in accordance with program requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Ecology, or a related field, or at least 5 years of experience in the early childhood education (ECE) field
• At least 3 years of experience in early childhood care and education, including a minimum of 1 year working directly with children
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with adult learners, including goal setting and coaching
• Knowledge of early childhood development for ages 3–5
• Familiarity with early childhood assessments, including the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2)
• Experience developing individualized goal plans for children or families
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, flexible, creative, and collaborative
• Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to adapt communication style to various audience
• Ability to engage families consistently and support them in meeting developmental goal
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general comfort with technology
• Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours as needed

Desired but not required: Experience supporting pre-K literacy, math, and social-emotional skill development; background in program recruitment and family outreach; familiarity with local and community resources that support young children and families; ability to speak a language in addition to English, such as Spanish, Somali, Arabic, Nepali, or others

You’ll Thrive Here If

You’re someone who finds meaning in walking alongside families, celebrating small wins, and helping parents see their own strength as their child’s first teacher. You bring warmth and patience to every home visit, along with the structure to track goals and assessments accurately. You’re comfortable adapting your approach to each family’s needs and culture, and you care deeply about giving every child a strong start on the path to Kindergarten.

• Health coverage: Health, dental, and vision insurance starting within 30 days of hire
• Generous PTO: Vacation days, personal days, and paid holidays
• Hybrid schedule: Mix of remote and in-office workdays
• Retirement savings: Employer match up to 1%
• Paid parental leave: 12 weeks fully paid for birth, adoption, and foster placements

Action for Children is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.