POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for day-to-day operation and management of the classroom.
Responsible for guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a
developmentally appropriate learning environment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Provides developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectual
development of children in the classroom, ensuring each child’s individual needs are met. Prepares and
implements lesson plans in collaboration with teacher assistant using established curricula ensuring that
small group, large group and individual experiences are provided. Ensures current lesson plan is posted
in classroom.
• Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in the education, nutrition, health, dental and
mental health plans. Responsible for ensuring children are prepared for screening and exam procedures
such as vision, hearing, dental, speech, and developmental to encourage successful completion.
• Maintains ongoing observation and assessment on each child within the classroom utilizing required
tracking tools. Daily observation will include anecdotal notes, health checks, and other tracking
requirements.
• Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit. Ensures all medication is
stored properly in the classroom and all OSHA standards are met. Maintains current emergency contact
information for families.
• Ensures medication is administered properly to children, following all written procedures.
• Develops Education Child Portfolio for each child in the classroom with required documentation and
ensures information is accurate and current.
• Ensures referral is completed and submitted to the appropriate service area for any child with a
suspected delay or any other area of concern.
• Participates in the child staffing process with the disability services team and LEA, including the
completion of required paperwork, attending staffings and implementation of the IEP when child is
determined eligible.
• Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment. Provides appropriate
guidance to promote children’s gross motor development. Balances indoor and outdoor activities to
stimulate both cognitive growth and physical skills.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground area. Monitors and reports in writing to
supervisor any needed repairs and takes appropriate action to correct any unsafe area.
• Establishes and maintains an adequately supplied classroom, ensuring the physical and developmental
needs of all children are met. Prepares requests for and purchases all classroom supplies/equipment with
supervisor approval.
• Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities,
explore, question and gain mastery through learning by doing. Encourages language development of
children by asking open ended questions.
• Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through the promotion of
cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences.
• Provides direct supervision to children at all times; maintaining child/staff ratios in accordance with
policies and regulations.
• Maintains accurate classroom attendance, assuring the sign in/out sheet corresponds with the number of
children in the classroom at all times. Provides information to Family Advocate in a timely manner, of any
known reason for child absence.
• Posts and reviews current menu in classroom for discussion with children. Participates with children at
mealtimes, including breakfast and lunch, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
• Plans and implements healthy cooking experiences within the classroom setting that reflect the ethnic
and cultural composition of the population.
• Ensures regular safety and fire/storm drills are conducted. Assures that emergency procedures and
evacuation routes are posted in the classroom.
• Maintains and documents regular contact with parents ensuring two home visits and two parent/teacher
conferences are conducted yearly. Recruits parents as volunteers in the classroom/center.
Documents/reports parent participation in center activities.
• Completes two individualized home activities each month per child and provides to parents.
• Acquaints volunteers with the classroom and ensures they are aware of the expectations of a volunteer.
• Prepares parent bulletin board and ensures compliance with program standards.
• Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Emphasizes the importance of child cleanliness/hygiene, assuring that hand washing takes place at
appropriate times throughout the day and tooth brushing takes place after lunch. Ensures children’s
hands and face are clean upon departing for the day.
• Plan and participate in educational field trips meeting Head Start requirements.
• Assists in the recruitment of children for the program. Participates in community activities as requested
that enhance the Head Start program.
• Maintains appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program and ensures quality of
data and timelines for completion.
• Provides professional guidance to and collaborates with the teacher assistant in all classroom duties.
• Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings and parent activities as requested.
• Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start families. Recruits children for the program.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan, including pre-service, inservice,
T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the
operation of the Head Start program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Participates in community activities that enhance Head Start programs as directed.
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs
reasonable related functions.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Head Start, federal, state and local regulations/laws, and
federal regulations/laws including the Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices,
and other administrative orders/directions.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Mid Florida Community Services, Inc., including but not
limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.
NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or Mid
Florida Community Services, Inc. management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential
to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties,
responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.
JOB STANDARDS:
Education: A minimum of an Associate’s Degree with pay rate commensurate with education level.
Experience: Two years of experience in child education, care and service or related field.
Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current carrier. Subject to
Federal, State and Local legal requirements/background checks/clearance for working with children. First Aid and
CPR certified. Within 18 months of employment, must obtain a Director’s Credential, which must be maintained
throughout employment.
CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:
Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Sitting, standing for long periods of
time, use of fingers, arms, hands and legs and voice/talking are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and
hearing (correctable) are essential. Squatting, walking, handling, grasping, stretching/reaching, bending at the
waist, driving and light lifting and/or carrying (up to 15lbs) are frequent. Pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing,
turning, feeling, medium lifting and/or carrying (up to 65lbs) are occasional. Smelling, tasting, bending and
feeling are frequent. Playing with children, which may include hopping, skipping, jumping, dancing, and twisting
are occasional. Must have ability to get up from a seated position on the floor or a low chair without hesitation.
Equipment: Instructional materials and supplies, playground equipment, computer, multi-line phone and other
small office and equipment and vehicle.
Skills & Expertise: Ability to carry out lesson plans. Ability to implement and coordinate children activities.
Ability to work with children with special needs. Knowledge of early childhood education methods. Ability to
establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children. Skill in completing work
with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to arrive to work daily and on time. Ability to work with limited direction.
Knowledge of organization methods. Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decision. Ability to
effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to analyze and interpret data. Ability to use and operate a
personal computer. Knowledge of child disability and mental health issues. Ability to maintain Mid Florida
Community Services, Inc., Head Start, child and parent confidentiality. Knowledge of classroom management
techniques. Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:
Job Location: Primary location is the Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter and/or Volusia counties.
Occasional travel to other counties.
Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics
are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office/classroom environment and working
with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.
Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
