Early Head Start Teacher - Infant/Toddler

Description

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Early Head Start Teacher (Infant/Toddler)

Xiente | Philadelphia, PA
Pay: $15.71 - $19.71 per hour
Full-Time | Monday-Friday | In-Person

Nurture Early Development. Build Strong Foundations.

Xiente is seeking caring, dedicated, and qualified Early Head Start Teachers to support the growth and development of infants and toddlers during the most critical years of life.

This is more than a teaching position. It's an opportunity to positively impact children and families by providing nurturing care, meaningful learning experiences, and strong relationships that support healthy development from the very beginning.

As an Early Head Start Teacher, you will create a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment where infants and toddlers can explore, learn, and thrive. You'll work alongside families, support staff, and program leadership to ensure every child receives individualized support that promotes school readiness and lifelong success.

Why Join Xiente?

• Make a meaningful difference during a child's earliest developmental years.
• Help prepare children for lifelong learning and success.
• Work in a supportive, mission-driven Early Childhood Education environment.
• Receive ongoing coaching, professional development, and training opportunities.
• Collaborate with experienced teachers, family advocates, and educational leaders.
• Be part of an organization committed to children, families, and community success.

Position Summary

The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for providing high-quality early childhood education services for infants and toddlers while creating a nurturing and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Teachers support children's physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor development through responsive caregiving, individualized instruction, intentional learning experiences, and strong family partnerships.

Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Early Head Start Teacher implements curriculum, conducts assessments, maintains compliance with program standards, and ensures children receive the care and support necessary to reach developmental milestones.

Minimum Educational Requirement (Required)

Candidates MUST possess one of the following:

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

Applicants who do not possess one of the educational credentials listed above will not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Infant & Toddler Care and Development

• Provide nurturing, responsive, and developmentally appropriate care to infants and toddlers.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that support children's emotional security and healthy development.
• Maintain active supervision and required classroom ratios at all times.
• Support children's language, cognitive, social-emotional, fine motor, and gross motor development.
• Follow individual feeding, sleeping, toileting, and caregiving routines.
• Utilize positive guidance techniques to encourage healthy social-emotional development.
• Support children's curiosity, exploration, and learning through age-appropriate interactions.
• Create a safe, clean, healthy, and nurturing classroom environment.

Curriculum & Learning

• Implement Creative Curriculum to support individualized learning and development.
• Create engaging learning experiences based on each child's developmental level, interests, and strengths.
• Design classroom environments that promote exploration, communication, creativity, and discovery.
• Align instruction with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
• Support program School Readiness Goals through intentional teaching practices.
• Maintain classroom materials and learning environments that promote engagement and development.

Observation, Assessment & Documentation

• Conduct ongoing child observations and developmental monitoring.
• Complete Teaching Strategies GOLD assessments and required checkpoints.
• Utilize assessment data to individualize instruction and support developmental growth.
• Conduct required ASQ developmental and social-emotional screenings.
• Maintain accurate child files, portfolios, assessments, and documentation.
• Complete all required documentation and data entry within established timelines.

Individualized Support

• Support children with varying developmental abilities and learning needs.
• Implement strategies outlined in IFSPs, IEPs, and developmental support plans.
• Collaborate with disabilities, health, nutrition, behavioral health, and family support staff.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and family conferences as needed.
• Adapt classroom activities and environments to support individual child success.

Family Engagement

• Establish positive and respectful partnerships with families.
• Maintain regular communication regarding children's development and classroom experiences.
• Conduct required home visits and parent-teacher conferences.
• Encourage family participation in children's learning and development.
• Collaborate with Family Advocates to support family goals and strengthen home-school partnerships.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children at all times.
• Follow established health, sanitation, diapering, handwashing, feeding, and safety procedures.
• Conduct daily health and safety monitoring of classroom spaces.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Follow all Head Start Performance Standards, Keystone STARS requirements, CACFP regulations, and childcare licensing requirements.
• Report concerns regarding child welfare in accordance with mandated reporting requirements.

Professional Growth & Team Collaboration

• Participate in coaching, reflective supervision, and professional development activities.
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences.
• Work collaboratively with teaching teams, center leadership, and support staff.
• Maintain professional conduct, consistent attendance, and reliability.
• Contribute to a positive, child-focused team culture.

Requirements

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 a childcare, Early Childhood Education, Early Head Start, Head Start, or related setting.
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for infants and toddlers.
• Ability to provide nurturing, responsive, relationship-based caregiving.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong observation, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain classroom ratios and actively supervise children.
• Ability to work collaboratively with families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to complete electronic documentation.
• Ability to obtain all required clearances and certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in an infant or toddler classroom.
• Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, childcare centers, or Early Childhood Education programs.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Experience supporting children with IFSPs, developmental delays, or additional learning needs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards, Keystone STARS, and Pennsylvania childcare regulations.
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate:

• Meets the required CDA or ECE degree qualification.
• Has a genuine passion for working with infants, toddlers, and families.
• Understands the importance of responsive caregiving and relationship-based teaching.
• Is comfortable with diapering, feeding, toileting, and daily caregiving responsibilities.
• Demonstrates patience, warmth, professionalism, and flexibility.
• Maintains strong attention to detail with assessments and documentation.
• Creates engaging learning experiences that support child development.
• Values teamwork, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
• Believes every child deserves a strong start and every family deserves support.

Clearances & Certifications

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain:

• PA Child Abuse Clearance
• PA Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Fingerprinting Clearance
• National Sex Offender Registry Clearance
• Health Assessment and TB Documentation
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain after hire)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively participate in an infant/toddler classroom environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and move children or classroom equipment as necessary.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds in emergency situations.
• Ability to actively supervise and engage with children throughout the workday.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive:

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

Join Our Mission

At Xiente, we believe the earliest years of a child's life lay the foundation for future success. Our Early Head Start Teachers play a critical role in nurturing development, fostering meaningful relationships, and supporting the growth of both children and families.If you possess an Infant/Toddler CDA, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and are passionate about helping young children thrive, we encourage you to apply today.Xiente is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing high-quality services that strengthen children, families, and communities.