Teacher - Early Head Start

The Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) is a private non-profit organization that provides services in response to the needs of rural, low-income households and communities. MRDC serves as Caroline, Cecil, Harford and Kent Counties’ official Community Action Agency. The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for infants and toddlers (ages 0-3 years). This role involves implementing the Early Head Start curriculum, fostering positive relationships with children and families, and ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing regulations. Job Responsibilities: Provide a warm, responsive, and stimulating environment that supports the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities based on the Early Head Start curriculum and individual child needs. Conduct ongoing assessments and observations to track child progress and adjust lesson plans accordingly. Promote language development, early literacy, and problem-solving skills through play-based learning experiences. Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom that meets health and safety regulations. Follow all health and safety protocols, including diapering, handwashing, and sanitization procedures. Support healthy eating habits by assisting with meal times and encouraging self-feeding. Monitor children for signs of illness, developmental delays, or concerns and communicate with families and supervisors as needed. Establish strong, respectful relationships with families and encourage parent involvement in their child’s learning. Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences to discuss child progress and provide guidance on child development. Collaborate with families to create individualized learning plans based on child strengths and goals. Provide resources and referrals to families for additional support services when necessary. Work closely with co-teachers, family advocates, and support staff to maintain a high-quality early childhood program. Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities to stay current on early childhood best practices. Maintain accurate records of attendance, child progress, and daily reports as required by Early Head Start guidelines. Follow all Head Start Performance Standards, licensing requirements, and program policies. Assure that files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained Thinks, concentrates, and positively interacts with others Comes to work promptly every day Works under stress and meets all deadlines OTHER DUTIES: (Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.) Performs related work as required or assigned. Physical Demands: Position requires significant periods of standing, walking, kneeling, sitting on the floor or crouching May at times require lifting 25lbs – 50lbs Terms of Employment: Twelve (12) month; full-time position Compensation: $19.60 - $23.40 per hour; Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience Requirements Minimum: Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Preferred: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field. At least 1 year of experience working with infants and toddlers in an early childhood setting. Knowledge of child development principles, attachment theory, and responsive caregiving. Required Skills/Qualifications Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) for infants and toddlers. Ability to create a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Basic computer skills for record-keeping and documentation. CPR & First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain). Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required. Demonstrated success in accomplishing tasks as outlined above Must pass criminal background check and fingerprinting Must pass all Maryland licensing requirements to include medical evaluation and tuberculosis screening Benefits Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Health Saving Account Retirement Plan (401k, IRA) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Short Term Disability Training & Development