Early Head Start Teacher

Absolutely. I’d make the education requirement unmistakable so you can screen candidates quickly: applicants must have either an Infant/Toddler CDA, an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, or a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I also cleaned up the posting and made the infant/toddler responsibilities more prominent.

Early Head Start Teacher

Xiente | Philadelphia, PA
Pay: $15.71 - $19.00 per hour
Full-Time | Monday-Friday | In-Person

Position Overview

Xiente is seeking a caring, dependable, and qualified Early Head Start Teacher to join our Early Childhood Education team.

Xiente's Early Childhood programs provide high-quality, child-centered services in a safe and nurturing learning environment. Our teachers support the physical, social-emotional, language, cognitive, and early learning development of infants and toddlers through developmentally appropriate experiences, responsive caregiving, and individualized instruction.

Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom while meeting applicable Head Start Performance Standards, Keystone STARS standards, NAEYC standards, CACFP requirements, and state childcare licensing requirements.

Compensation

$15.71 - $19.00 per hour

Compensation within the range is based on relevant education, credentials, and experience.

Education Requirement

Candidates must have at least ONE of the following qualifications:

• Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, OR
• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), OR
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Candidates who do not meet at least one of these educational requirements will not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Key ResponsibilitiesInfant & Toddler Care and Development

• Provide responsive, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care to infants and toddlers.
• Establish strong, positive relationships with children while supporting emotional security, independence, and healthy development.
• Maintain appropriate classroom ratios and active supervision at all times.
• Respond appropriately to children's individual routines, developmental stages, and needs.
• Use positive behavior guidance, redirection, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
• Support children's language, cognitive, social-emotional, fine motor, and gross motor development.
• Follow appropriate diapering, toileting/potty training, feeding, handwashing, health, and hygiene procedures.
• Create a safe, clean, healthy, and nurturing environment throughout the day.

Curriculum & Learning

• Utilize Creative Curriculum to provide intentional and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Structure classroom learning areas to encourage exploration, interaction, play, communication, and development.
• Develop learning experiences based on children's individual needs, interests, developmental levels, and assessment results.
• Align classroom experiences with applicable Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
• Support established School Readiness Goals.
• Maintain classroom arrangements, materials, and displays consistent with applicable program quality standards.

Child Observation & Assessment

• Conduct and document ongoing observations of children, including at least one observation per child each week.
• Complete quarterly Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment checkpoints.
• Use assessment information to monitor children's development and individualize learning experiences.
• Complete required developmental and social-emotional ASQ screenings within established timelines.
• Develop monthly individualized plans identifying specific goals and strategies for each child.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and current child files and portfolios.
• Complete required documentation and data entry within established deadlines.

Individualized & Special Needs Support

• Support children with a wide range of developmental abilities and individual needs.
• Integrate IFSPs, IEPs, and referral action plans into appropriate classroom experiences.
• Adapt activities and teaching strategies for children who may require additional developmental support.
• Collaborate with appropriate family services, disabilities, mental health, health, and nutrition staff to address children's individual needs.
• Participate in case conferences and interdisciplinary meetings as required.

Family Engagement

• Establish positive, respectful, and productive relationships with families.
• Maintain ongoing communication with parents and guardians regarding their child's development and classroom experiences.
• Respond professionally and with cultural sensitivity to family questions and concerns.
• Conduct two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences per child each year, as required by the program.
• Encourage families to participate in their child's learning and classroom experiences.
• Collaborate with Family Advocates to support families and extend children's learning into the home.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Conduct required daily indoor and outdoor health and safety monitoring.
• Follow established health, sanitation, hygiene, and infection-control procedures.
• Follow proper diaper-changing, handwashing, and toileting procedures.
• Implement family-style meal service and follow applicable CACFP requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of information concerning children, families, and staff.
• Follow required procedures for reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and safe classroom environment.
• Follow all applicable program, Head Start, and childcare licensing requirements.

Professional Growth & Collaboration

• Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment.
• Complete required professional development and maintain an appropriate professional development plan.
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, Center leadership, Family Advocates, and other program staff.
• Share relevant information with appropriate support staff to help address children's and families' needs.
• Maintain professional, dependable, and respectful conduct.
• Report to work as scheduled and maintain consistent attendance and punctuality.

Required Qualifications

• Infant/Toddler CDA, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education required.
• Experience working with infants and/or toddlers in an Early Childhood Education or childcare setting.
• Knowledge of infant and toddler development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to provide responsive and nurturing caregiving to infants and toddlers.
• Ability to implement age-appropriate curriculum and learning experiences.
• Ability to adapt classroom activities to meet children's individual developmental needs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organization, observation, and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain required classroom ratios and active supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively with children, families, teachers, and support staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Comfortable using computers, email, and required electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to obtain all required employment and childcare clearances.

Clearances & Certifications

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain required clearances and documentation, including:

• PA Child Abuse Clearance
• PA Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Clearance
• National Sex Offender Registry Clearance
• Required health clearance and TB documentation
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to complete required training after hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in Early Head Start, infant/toddler childcare, or a similar Early Childhood Education program.
• One or more years of relevant Early Childhood Education experience.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Experience working with IFSPs or children with additional developmental needs.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish.
• Commitment to supporting a dual-language learning environment.
• Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards and Pennsylvania childcare requirements.

Physical Requirements

This role requires the ability to actively participate in an infant/toddler classroom environment, including:

• Standing, walking, and sitting for periods throughout the workday.
• Bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching as necessary to interact with and care for young children.
• Ability to lift or move up to 40 pounds in an emergency, as required by the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to actively supervise and respond to children's needs throughout the day.

Schedule

Full-Time
Monday-Friday
In-Person

Dependable attendance and the ability to consistently work the assigned schedule are essential requirements of this position.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)

What We're Looking For

The ideal Early Head Start Teacher is someone who:

• Meets the required Infant/Toddler CDA or ECE degree requirement.
• Has hands-on experience caring for and educating infants and toddlers.
• Understands that infant and toddler education requires attentive, responsive, and individualized care.
• Is comfortable with diapering, feeding, toileting, hygiene, and other daily caregiving responsibilities.
• Can maintain active supervision and appropriate classroom ratios.
• Communicates professionally with families.
• Is dependable, patient, organized, and attentive.
• Can maintain required observations, assessments, and documentation.
• Works effectively as part of an Early Childhood Education team.
• Is passionate about helping young children develop and thrive.

Join Xiente

At Xiente, Early Childhood Education is about creating strong foundations for children and families. Our teachers have the opportunity to provide meaningful learning experiences during some of the most important developmental years of a child's life.

If you have an Infant/Toddler CDA, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and have experience working with young children, we encourage you to apply.

Pay: $15.71 - $19.00 per hour

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional related responsibilities may be assigned based on program and organizational needs.

Pay: $15.71 - $19.71 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Work Location: In person