Early Head Start Teacher

Sieda Head Start is currently accepting applications for a Early Head Start Teacher in Wapello County. This position will begin employment immediately for the 2026-2027 school year. 

SUMMARY: 

The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining a nurturing and supportive early childhood educational experience for participating children and families. The position oversees the daily implementation of all Head Start/Early Head Start standards and child care regulations within the educational classroom operations.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position.  

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Requires current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and approved waiver from Head Start Regional Office.

• Must be enrolled in a program leading to associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or in a related field with coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education.

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires 1 year working experience in a Preschool, Child Care setting or other early childhood experience.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:  

• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office programs, Google docs, and Gmail.  
• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Windows based operating system.  
• Must collect, enter, and update data into ChildPlus.net an existing Head Start management program with minimal training.
• Must collect, enter, and update data into Teaching Strategies GOLD an existing online early childhood assessment program with minimal training.
• Must perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational. 

Wages: $17.94-21.08

Applications for this position will be taken until October16, 2026.  Sieda requires resumes for all positions in the organization. Please be certain your resume is complete, up-to-date, and includes dates of employment for past positions. 

For additional information please contact:

Ranae Banicky

Assistant Director- Child Development Unit 

641-207-3459

rbanicky@sieda.org 

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Full Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining a nurturing and supportive early childhood educational experience for participating children and families. The position oversees the daily implementation of all Head Start/Early Head Start standards and child care regulations within the educational classroom operations.

DUTIES:  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs complex duties requiring advanced skills as follows:

• Ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulations to include child care licensing requirements, policies, procedures, and service delivery plans.
• Plans and implements lesson plans including developmentally appropriate activities using evidence based curriculums.
• Involves community members in classroom activities as often as is appropriate.
• Maintains appropriate, accurate and confidential records on each child focusing on development and individual goals using portfolio development, assessments and input from parents and staff.
• Provides for the educational and developmental needs of individual children by adapting to services and activities in all Head Start/Early Head Start component areas (nutrition, health, dental, education, development, family services, and mental health).
• Assists with grantee efforts in recruitment of children who are eligible for both Early Head Start and Head Start. Transitions children to their next educational facility.
• Provides supervision and management of children and adults in classroom and outdoor settings to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment.
• Communicates regularly with supervisor, program staff, volunteers, parents, and community partners (including, but not limited to, school district, meal site, consultants, and transportation system representatives) to ensure the highest quality services to children and families.
• Conducts a minimum of two home visits and two parent teacher conferences during each program year with parent(s)/guardians to seek insight and/or provide feedback on child’s development. Provides additional home visits if deemed necessary.
• Encourages parent participation in classroom activities and planning, parent group meetings, and home based parent/child activities.
• Attends and participates in all center functions as scheduled, literacy events, and other educational activities.
• Assume other center staff responsibilities as needed to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage. (Including, but not limited to, bus monitor, nutrition aide, cook, janitor, etc.). 
• This position may require travel between classrooms and the counties we serve depending on program staffing needs.
• Other duties determined necessary to support the Child Development Team in achieving the goals of the Early Head Start program

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

• Receives on-going supervision regarding task guidelines and completion.

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

• Limited independent decision-making authority.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• Maintain an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential that requires ongoing CEU’s.
• Must complete required training hours annually, per Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Center regulations & Head Start Performance Standards.
• All staff are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and required to hold a valid training certificate.
• All staff coming in contact with children are required to have up to date training in CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in pre-service, in-service/other training, AEA staffing, staff meetings, and committee work as required.
• Seeks out professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, and by utilizing available resources and training opportunities.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATION:

• Requires varying levels of interaction with staff, customers and other agencies in representing the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING:

• Involved in the planning of limited areas within the Head Start/Early Head Start program reflective of his/her job responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provides direction/training with minimal accountability for select program personnel and volunteers.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports and models the agency’s and unit’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain a regular attendance pattern to assure continuity of services and adequate staff coverage.
• Demonstrate professional behavior at all times including appearance and maintaining an orderly functioning classroom and office areas.
• Treat all individuals in a courteous, non-judgmental, reasonable and confidential manner.
• Must uphold the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and Head Start Standards of Conduct.
• Accepts responsibility as a member of the team and works cooperatively with all staff for the benefit of children and their families to meet identified goals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to speak comfortably and effectively one-to-one or in group settings.
• Ability to demonstrate good listening skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret most complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to customer/staff complaints.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and take appropriate action based on compliance with established rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to convey information to staff, parents and members of the local community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, move quickly, use hand to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds, climb stairs, pick up and move children and/or equipment.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close, distant and peripheral vision.
• Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment Physical and TB Screen, then successfully pass a physical exam and TB screen every 3 years while employed in the Head Start Program.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

• The work environment is both inside and outside.
• The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER:

• Early Head Start employees must pass a Pre-Employment state criminal record check, then successfully pass a state criminal record check every 2 years while employed in the Child Development unit.
• Early Head Start employees must pass a federal criminal record check with-in 6 weeks of employment, then successfully pass a federal criminal record check every 4 years while employed in the Head Start Program.
• Travel is required both in and outside the service area. Proof of auto insurance and valid driving license is required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to be considered for this position. 

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• Requires current Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and/or approved waiver from Head Start Regional Office.

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires 1 year working experience in a preschool, child care setting or other early childhood experience.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY:

• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Google Workspace (Google Docs, gmail, etc.) 
• Requires moderate level computer knowledge and experience with Windows based operating systems.
• Must collect, enter, and update data into ChildPlus.net with minimal training.
• Must collect, enter, and update data into Teaching Strategies GOLD with minimal training.
• Must perform simple maintenance to keep computers operational.