Child Care Partnership Specialist

Summary: The Child Care Partnership Specialist will bring together the strengths of child care centers and Early Head Start programming. Integrating Early Head Start comprehensive services and standards into traditional child care settings creates new opportunities to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, and their families. The position will work directly with Woodbury County child care center directors and staff, specifically infant and toddler staff, to provide coaching, consultation, on-site assessment, and support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in initial and on-going professional development for the purpose of providing effective mentor/coach activities as well as provide expertise on theory and practices that support child development.
• Develop and maintain positive, supportive relationships with center staff for the purpose of supporting staff growth through the mentoring process.
• Utilize Relationship Based Coaching cycle (Practice Based Coaching) components for the purpose of assessing needs, engaging in focused observations, and providing reflection and feedback in order to set goals and develop action plans.
• Develop and maintain schedules for observation for the purpose of determining training needs at the center.
• Utilize nationally recognized tools to assess classrooms. i.e. ITERS, CLASS, TPITOS, PAS
• Provide constructive feedback and support for the purpose of increasing teacher confidence and competence. This may include modeling, co-teaching, observing, providing reading materials, training or other resources as needed.
• Provide follow up support to staff following any form of training for the purpose of increasing implementation of information and transfer of skill into practice.
• Provide ongoing support to staff working on CDA or other continuing education programs.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of activities and contacts.
• Complete monthly monitoring reports or coaching logs for assigned visits and submits them according to timelines for the purpose of meeting program requirements for tracking and monitoring.

· Conduct evaluations of program results/outcomes to measure effectiveness and adequacy of activities.

• Prepare reports for both external and internal reporting requirements, reporting to the Early Childhood Director and the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO).

· Participate in state and local meetings, committees, trainings, audits, site visits, etc., as appropriate or requested.

· Develop and maintain a linkage with community partners including Iowa Department of HHS, CCR&R, Child Care Nurse Consultant, CACFP, IAEYC, NWAEA, establishing formal agreements when required.

· Other duties as requested. Duties described are intended to show the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to work as a team member, collaborating with center staff and community resources. Ability to apply early childhood development (focus on infant/toddler) theory into daily activities. Ability to organize and deliver program standards to varied audiences. Knowledge of state and federal child care regulations and procedures. Capability of responding appropriately to an emergency or crisis situation. Must have access to vehicle, valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and be willing to travel. Motor vehicle record check and background checks required. Must pass pre-employment physical exam. Must have philosophical agreement with agency’s mission, goals, and objectives.

Education and/or Experience:

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or related field with additional infant/toddler training preferred. Prefer two years’ experience in a child care setting that serves infants and toddlers.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $21.07 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person