Infant Early Care and Education Teacher - Up to $12,5000 Sign on Bonus

*$2,000 of bonus contingent on joining team by June 1, 2023*

SALARY RANGE: $13.00-15.00/hour. 

Benefits include: 401K, Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, PTO, Scholarships

Iowa Early Education Professionals are also eligible for WAGE$, an annual program providing annual bonuses up to $9,200 !!

Schedule is Monday-Thursday, 40 hours per week between the hours of 7:00am-5:00pm.  Specific hours can be negotiated at hire.  

We believe in learning through play, creating moments of joy, and the beauty of childhood. We welcome everyone, providing care that meets individual needs. We are a growing and talented team. You too? Apply today, 

The infant room early care and education teacher is responsible for developing a nurturing, loving, safe, and educational space for children of all abilities. In addition to responsibility for direct care of the babies at Hand in Hand, the teacher supports the lead teacher to develop weekly lesson plans utilizing Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum®, adapts activities to meet the individual needs and interests of children, and oversees classroom management. This individual ensures regular family communication and program quality to develop the full child – cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all children at all times:

• Ensure constant visual and auditory supervision of all children.
• Ensure sanitary procedures are followed by all children and adults. This includes hand washing procedures, blood borne pathogen training and practices, diapering procedures, and soiled clothing practices.
• Immediately report all suspected cases of child abuse according to state Mandatory Reporting requirements
• Implement a daily schedule with flexible, consistent routines and planned transitions.
• Always demonstrate respect for children, communicating with empathy and compassion at their level and near the child.
• Meet all personal care needs of assigned children of all abilities which can include diapering, catheterization, g-tube feeding.
• Ensure constant compliance with state and agency stated child to care provider ratios

Contribute to the development of an inclusive, nurturing, safe and engaging space to promote early learning and development:

• Maintain a neat, organized, engaging, and safe room arrangement with defined learning centers such as blocks, dramatic play, math, science, creative arts, language and literacy, music and movement, sensory plan, and table manipulatives.
• Develop a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to promote feelings of security, safety and belonging.
• Monitor classroom supplies and regularly communicate needs to lead teacher.
• Complete daily housekeeping tasks including laundry, dishwashing, floor mopping, sweeping and the general cleaning of surfaces.
• Implement engaging lesson plans and learning activities that:
• Foster creativity, inquiry and encourage children to lead the development and learning process.
• Utilize Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum to encourage the development of a child’s thinking, reasoning, decision making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Incorporate a wide variety of learning experiences, materials, equipment, and instructional strategies.
• Celebrates each child’s unique culture and abilities while fostering empathetic interactions with diverse individuals.
• Accurately and fully complete all necessary paperwork and reports before the end of each shift.

• Facilitate connection and strong communication
• Develop professional relationships with children, parents, volunteers and other members of the community.
• Facilitate regular and positive communication with caregivers utilizing formal and informal communication methods approved by the agency.
• Serve as a support person and advocate for families.
• Aid in the assessment of children’s strengths, progress, and development. 
• Ensure the shared results are of benefit to and supportive of individual children’s learning and development, are used to adjust the curriculum, used to make program improvements, and used to communicate with parents/guardians regarding children’s progress.
• Complete all annual required training.
• Become knowledgeable of all services provided by Hand in Hand to promote our programs in the community.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

**Sign on bonus is a combination of funds from DHHS, Hand in Hand, and WAGE$. Details provided at hire.   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• Has obtained a high school diploma or passed a general education development test
• Certified in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa’s mandatory reporting of abuse (Hand in Hand will coordinate courses for certification if not yet obtained)
• Experience working with children of all abilities.
• Meet all expectations required by the state licensing for an early childhood educator.
• Knowledge of the State of Iowa Childcare licensing rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate clearly to children, adults, and coworkers.
• Enthusiasm and desire to positively impact the lives of young children.
• Experience using behavior modification techniques.
• Compassion and enthusiasm for creating and leading inclusive programs.
• Experience and competency with Microsoft Office software and other basic computer applications.