About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 6,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive. 

Position Overview 
Teachers are integral to the design and delivery of a high-quality Head Start program that is consistent with the Head Start Standards and the Head Start Act. Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor, the EHS Teacher is responsible for ensuring the:

• Health and Safety of infants and toddlers;
• Care and Supervision of infants and toddlers;
• Provision of a quality early learning experience that is responsive to the interests, needs and developmental age of the children enrolled in the assigned classroom(s).

Duties

General Responsibilities

• Carry out Head Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act and the requirements of the LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education) contract.
• Adheres to professional conduct at all times (e.g., proper tone and language use in the classroom, with parents and with peers).
• Per program requirements or as directed by leadership, attends/participates in 1) professional development activities and 2) supervision. Remain current on child development practices through classes, workshops, and membership in professional organizations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ensures effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment data;
• Promotes children progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Head Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standard, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate;
• Advances children’s intellectual and physical development, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, understanding and use of language and increasingly complex and varied problem-solving skills, and approaches to learning;
• Establishes and maintains a healthy learning environment;
• Support children’s social and emotional development;
• Encourage family involvement of the children in an Early Head Start program and support the development of relationships between children and their families;
• Promote infant/toddler development;
• Demonstrates knowledge of safety issues in infant/toddler care (such as SIDS); and
• Facilitates effective communication with infants, toddlers, parents, and other staff members
• May perform other duties as assigned by Area Supervisor to ensure the overall smooth running of the classroom/site.

Compliance Community Care Licensing/Early Head Start Requirements

• Comply with staff-child ratio at all times.  Complete daily ratio counts for supervisor.
• Update and implement all nutrition/feeding plans as appropriate.
• Complete and report any symptoms of suspected child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.
• Complete daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety and overall well-being of children.
• Implement the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) requirements including, but not limited to family style meals and point of service documentation.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements 

• Minimum of 1 year experience in a classroom or group setting with young children.
• Associate degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accreditation associate recognized by the Council for Higher Education. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three (3) semester units in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development, with a total of six (6) units completed within the first year of employment.
• Valid California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. (Teacher Permit preferred).
• Knowledge in Desired Results and Developmentally Appropriate Practices preferred
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos preferred
• Ability to use technology to collect child outcome data, complete on-line training, and other work-related technology-based requirements such as email and Payroll/Human Resources Information Systems
• Ability to independently manage the responsibilities and routine stress typical of providing early childhood services.
• Handle the responsibilities and routine stress often associated with providing early childhood services.

Other Requirements

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid  
• Comply with immunization, background check standards and other required screenings as mandated by Human Resources and/or PLN Early Education
• Valid Class C California driver’s license (depending upon position assignment).
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.  English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and other staff members.

COVID-19 Vaccine required for all employees

Must have all required vaccinations, including influenza and Covid-19.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Early Education Staff must be able to perform the following physical activities:

• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, emergencies, and conflicts that may occur in the early education center or on the playground.
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary.
• Reach a child 20- 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person’s health.
• Crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact the child’s level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment.
• Be aware of the cognitive, social, and physical needs of children.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at a Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.