POSITION SUMMARY: The Preschool Readiness Specialist is dedicated to providing personalized academic support one-on-one to children aged 18 months to 5 years, addressing their developmental needs across all areas. This position reports to the Education Coordinator.
BENEFITS:
- Great benefits, including generous PTO and paid holidays
- Excellent wages
- Opportunities for advancement
- Funding for higher education
- Wellness program with rewards
- Retirement 403B with matching
EDUCATION/TRAINING: Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. Degree(s) must be from an accredited institution recognized by the NC Department of Child Development and Early Education. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.
EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five years of hands-on experience teaching children, ages birth to five. Experience in Early Head Start/Head Start programs is highly desirable.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Observe, engage, and provide individualized instruction to children, tracking progress and working alongside teachers, parents, and other professionals to promote success.
- Collaborate closely with families and staff to identify and address developmental concerns, ensuring each child's needs are met.
- Attend and contribute to meetings, including Child Action Plans, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP), and Individual Education Plans (IEP), as needed.
- Offer education and support to families on the importance of early childhood development, early identification, intervention strategies, and how to support their child's development at home.
- Coordinate with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to provide a holistic approach to children's developmental needs, ensuring timely support and services.
- Advocate for and assist in the promotion of developmentally appropriate practices and trauma-informed strategies within the agency's educational framework.
- Utilize data to assess and address the developmental needs of children across all domains, developing tailored strategies to support individual growth.
- Be an energetic, adaptable, and creative problem solver with a passion for learning and a deep commitment to fostering a child's developmental success.
- Implement and guide developmentally appropriate activities that align with natural learning environments, working closely with other staff members to enhance academic growth and curriculum access.
- Assist in the creation, monitoring, and execution of policies and programs to meet performance standards and regulatory requirements.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Children's Developmental Services Agencies, local education partners, and community organizations to support early identification and intervention for children in need.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and secure documentation of all child-related data, ensuring compliance with confidentiality standards.
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.
- Compile, analyze, and report on data and services provided to children, ensuring the integrity of the information collected.
- Complete required documentation in a timely, organized, and professional manner, ensuring high-quality reporting.
- Respond to sensitive situations with professionalism and composure, handling high-stress scenarios effectively.
- Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, recognizing and addressing safety concerns promptly.
Empowering people. Transforming lives.