Substitute Head Start Teacher

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The Substitute Teacher will be responsible for classroom and family educational activities to ensure a quality center-based program for families in the absence of the lead teacher or teacher assistant. Duties vary according to the length of the assignment, will serve in classroom sites throughout the Rockingham County service area.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as Teacher Assistant in classroom activities.
2. Meet the daily needs of all children (i.e., food prep, toileting)
3. Maintain a 9:1 child/adult ratio for children 3-5 years old.
4. Assist Teacher/Teacher Assistant in implementing daily curriculum including taking anecdotal notes for TSG and Creative Curriculum as needed.
5. Cooperate with, and follow through on suggestions/recommendations of, managers, leaders and specialists to establish a quality comprehensive child/family program.
6. Assist classroom staff in janitorial maintenance of building and playground.
7. Attend Head Start parent activities as needed.
8. Always Know the whereabouts of children in attendance.
9. Complete set number of training hours each year to meet childcare licensing regulations.
10. Attain First Aid and CPR certification and training on blood borne pathogens as required.
11. Know and comply with Rockingham County Schools Early Learning Head Start policies and procedures.
12. Ensure documentation of all contacts with parents.
13. Has a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the children in the classroom (health issues: asthma, allergies, seizures, hearing/vision, etc.) and makes appropriate accommodations to ensure child outcomes are achieved.
14. Complete daily anecdotal reports on each child.
15. Notify the Team Leader in a timely manner that supplies will soon be needed for the classroom.
16. Ensure daily spraying of toys with bleach water solution daily and a weekly deep cleaning of toys using the three-step method (wash, rinse, sanitize).
17. Perform other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists in service of breakfast, lunch, and snacks to client children; assists in associated set-up and clean-up activities.
• Prepares cots for children's afternoon rest period.
• Attends and participates in beginning of school year pre-service training sessions and any staff meetings deemed necessary to meet NC Child Care regulations.
• Performs other related work as required.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities:

1. Knowledge and application of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood classrooms.
2. On-going knowledge of appropriate literacy practices in early childhood.
3. Ability to relate positively to children, staff and low-income parents.
4. Ability to assume leadership responsibility.
5. Knowledge of the purposes and philosophies of the Head Start Performance Standards in working with young children and their families.
6. Ability to establish appropriate limits for children and enforce them in a positive manner.
7. Satisfactorily completion of training of required NC child abuse & neglect laws and procedures and indicators of child abuse and neglect.
8. Maintain the confidentiality of information of each child and family in the Head Start program.
9. Ability to work as a team member.
10. Ability to deal with confrontation in a constructive manner.
11. Knowledge of health and hygiene and ability to assist children in developing good habits.
12. Ability to attend work site regularly to perform job duties and responsibilities.
13. Ability to lift fifty pounds.

 MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Must have earned the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or have completed the EDU-119 course and able to apply for NCECC. 
2. Must have a valid NC Criminal Background Check (CBC) Qualifying Letter
3. Ability to communicate with children and parents in a second language preferred.
4. Residence in county of the assigned Head Start center is preferred.
5. Must have a working telephone.
6. Must have a valid NC driver’s license and daily access to a reliable and licensed automobile.
7. Submit current physical examination and TB test results within ten days of hire and annually thereafter.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Have mobility, strength, and dexterity to be able to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• interact at each child’s level and retrieve children who wander and/or run from the group.
• Be able to sit down on floor or ground and get up again quickly. 
• Perform the duties of sweeping, mopping, cleaning tables and toilets, etc.
• Be able to run and play with children outside.