Head Start Teacher II (Day Care Center Teacher II)

Located in the Head Start Program at Gum Springs Children's Center in Alexandria VA, this position is under the supervision of the Head Start Site Manager and the Early Head Start/Head Start Coordinator. Supervises a Teacher I in a preschool classroom, ensuring developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum are implemented and creating a play-based learning environment to meet children's individual needs.

Position adheres to all policy and procedures regulated by Virginia State Licensing and Head Start Federal Standards to prevent health hazards and ensures the safety of children, completes and reports on developmental screenings/assessments through family conferences, home visits and staff meetings.

Assist in the preparation of documentation for local agency, state licensing and federal Head Start Performance Standards, as well as collaborates with county staff, citizens, and members of the childcare community.

Assists the Day Care Center Supervisor by coordinating activity plans, staff assignments and schedules;
Oversees program plans of subordinates;
Supervises the work of Day Care Center Teacher I's, Aides, substitutes and volunteers;
Plans and implements a daily program of developmental experiences for preschool children, and a remedial and enrichment program for school-age children;
Provides care and protection for the children, helping them learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations and to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating and dressing;
From daily observation, notes the physical condition of each child, reports conditions needing attention, and administers first aid treatment when needed;
Maintains progress records on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children;
Holds regular individual parent-teacher conferences and participates in parent group meetings and activities;
Through individual conferences, supervises assistant teachers and aides in daily contact with children;
Maintains attractive, healthful surroundings and assures that equipment and materials are kept accessible to the children and in good condition;
Attends and participates in conferences and workshops related to group day care and other pertinent fields;
Performs center administrative duties, to include liaison with school officials, personnel, payroll, record keeping, cash handling and snack purchasing;
Responsible for center newsletter;
Performs related duties as assigned.

Considerable knowledge of individual behavior and the growth and development of children, and the impact of group relationships;
Knowledge of health, safety and first aid methods;
Knowledge of the factors which cause problems in children;
Ability to establish warm and supportive relationships with children, on a group and individual basis, gaining confidence and trust and imparting a sense of security;
Ability to assume administrative responsibility for the assigned center's overall health and safety program;
Ability to provide a wide variety of stimulating experiences for children to meet individual intellectual and emotional needs;
Ability to recognize problems of both a physical and psychological nature as exhibited by children;
Ability to organize and plan the activities of subordinate day care personnel;
Ability to develop and maintain a working relationship with parents and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a child-related field such as, but not limited to early childhood or elementary education, nursing, recreation, or a related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License at the time of application
• AED (required within 60 days)
• CPR/First Aid (required within 60 days)

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children.
• Experience working in a childcare environment.
• Experience working with diverse multicultural populations.
• Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in Infant/Toddler or higher in the field of Early Childhood or any discipline that is directly related to the instruction of children.
• Knowledge of Head Start Standards and Creative Curriculum/TS Gold.