SUMMARY:

The Early Childhood Specialist participates actively in the life of the center(s) forwarding best

practices and innovations to support student learning and staff professional development.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Children grow and learn more quickly during these first five years than at any other time in life.

This is why our work, to support each child’s learning when they are at home and once they have

transitioned to Kindergarten is so important. It takes all of us working together to lay the

foundation for children’s future success.

Under the supervision of the Director of Quality Implementation and in collaboration with the

Center Managers, the Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) supports assigned center(s), ensuring that services are developmentally appropriate and individualized according to the needs of each child and assists in ensuring compliance with agency, state, and national standards. The ECS acts as a role model with regards to teaching techniques, discipline, and working with families; identifies and provides resources; and supports the professional development of classroom staff. The ECS serves as a liaison between teaching staff and center leadership and frequently interacts with public schools, parents, and groups in other agencies, as well as the community at large.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include, but are not limited to):

Program Implementation

* Provides on-site consultation and support to Center Manager (CM), Family Support

   Advocates (FSA), parents, and teaching staff as it relates to early education services for

   all children in the ESNG Early Education and Care Program.

* Works with individuals and teams to improve the quality of effective teaching practices

   and capacity to work with parents.

* Understands and has strong working knowledge of Creative Curriculum, CLASS,

   Teaching Strategies Gold, ASQ/ASQ; SE, Second Step, and The Pyramid Model.

* Conducts classroom observations routinely to support and ensure curriculum

   implementation and developmentally appropriate practice; models for and coaches

   staff on best practices, regularly encouraging staff to improve the quality of their work

   through day-to-day interactions.

* Helps source, track, and maintain educational toolbox (resources, information, etc.)

   for curriculum integration and execution.

* Reviews and monitors lesson plans and provides appropriate feedback, effectively

   articulating to teachers the direct link between planning, individualization, observation,

   and assessment.

* Reviews and monitors education folders; follows up with appropriate staff when

   incomplete.

* Creates Teaching Strategies Gold accounts; reviews documentation.

* Adds children to ASQ online; ensures the timely completion of screening and referral,

   of children; follows up on evaluation and treatment of children with disabilities and/or

   mental health needs.

* Solicits parental input/observation of their children and shares staff observations of

   children with parents; discusses children's development and any suggestions/concerns

   related to children's developmental needs.

* Collaborates with community organizations including but not limited to the Local

   Education Agency (LEA) to ensure that recruitment efforts include children with

   disabilities and other special needs.

* Participates in LEA eligibility and tracking meetings to ensure the smooth delivery of

   services.

* Communicates with Babies Can’t Wait (BCW); monitors and tracks referral process and

   status.

* Checks classroom inventories and assists Center Director in ordering appropriate

   materials.

* Seeks out community resources that enhance services for children.

* Provides support to assure consistency between sites.

Staff Engagement & Development

* Promotes a learning culture and reflective practice with teaching staff.

* Collaborates with teaching staff to define goals, measure success, and provide feedback

   for improvement, providing transparent communication to staff with a culture of open

   communication; implements Practice-Based Coaching to support teachers’ use of

   effective teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children.

* Participates in the planning and implementation of annual and ongoing training, including

   but not limited to: pre-service, PD days, and New Teacher Institute (NTI).

* Participates in the planning and implementation of annual and ongoing parent and foster

   grandparent training.

* Participates in training and professional development opportunities as directed to

   enhance content area resourcefulness and service delivery.

Operational Management

* Schedules, co-facilitates, and/or participates in a variety of meetings, including but not

   limited to: Agency meetings, Center team meetings, Early Childhood Specialist team

   meetings, FSA meetings, IST meetings, IFSP/IEP meetings, EHS transition meetings,

   Nap Chats, and Parent meetings.

* Completes monthly center visit reports; shares with Center Manager and DQI.

* Using Child Plus, enters, analyzes, and utilizes data to make decisions and support

   program outcomes; generates monthly report to DQI communicating progress on

   established goals and objectives.

* Oversees Teaching Strategies Gold teacher inter-rater reliability.

* Conducts CLASS observations; maintains reliability in the tool.

* Communicates, both vertically and horizontally, in a timely matter on important and

   relevant matters.

* Coordinates projects with other Early Childhood Specialists, FSAs, and Center

   Managers; collaborate with Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists.

* Contributes to updates of content area policies and procedures.

* Maintains professionalism and confidentiality.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned by management.