Part-Time Early Head Start​/Head Start Associate Teacher

Part‑Time Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Teacher

Position Title: Part‑Time Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Teacher

Job Family Group: Professional Staff

Project Eagle is an early childhood program focused on preparing children, engaging families, and promoting excellence in Kansas City, Kansas. It provides home‑based and center‑based services to pregnant women and children ages birth to five, with the largest program being Early Head Start. Project Eagle is a member of the Educare Learning Network, a national initiative that supports high‑quality programs, public policy improvement, and comprehensive care for the first five years of life.

The Part‑Time Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Teacher works in partnership with the Early Head Start/Head Start Teacher to plan, implement, and coordinate a comprehensive educational program. The Associate Teacher helps create developmentally appropriate classroom activities, supports individualized lesson plans for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years, and collaborates with the teaching team to maintain a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment.

• Ensure child safety by maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe classroom, conducting authorized emergency procedures, and actively supervising children at all times.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities that support each child’s Individual Education Plan, using the High Scope Curriculum with the co‑teacher and teacher aide.
• Support positive social relationships, self‑image, success experiences, and conflict resolution skills through Conscious Discipline.
• Utilize the continuity of care model to support children and families in developing safe, secure attachments.

• Partner with families to build mutually respectful, goal‑oriented relationships that support strong parent‑child bonds and family well‑being.
• Interact with families through regular classroom contact, interdisciplinary meetings, child and family reviews, family conferences, and home visits.
• Provide monthly family engagement activities based on children and families’ interests.

• Complete necessary paperwork: developmental assessments, lesson plans, parent information, incident/accident reports, attendance, USDA meal counts.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s skills, behavior, growth, and development.
• Develop individualized learning opportunities for each child based on assessment data.
• Understand the referral process to Part B and Part C and alert the interdisciplinary team when screenings indicate concerns.
• Use classroom and school data to improve teaching practice and ensure school readiness.
• Maintain complete, accurate, confidential child files and portfolios.

• Collaborate with coworkers during team planning sessions and support implementation of best practices.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, coaching, and reflective supervision activities.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to provide support for families with diverse backgrounds and needs.

• Follow all Head Start regulations, state and local childcare licensing regulations, and Project Eagle/Educare philosophy and curriculum.

• Education: Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field; OR a degree in an unrelated field with at least 9 early childhood credits and willingness to complete further education to reach a total of 30 credits within 3 years; OR CDA or Early Childhood certificate and 12 early childhood credits and 2 years experience with willingness to complete further education to achieve an Associate degree within 3 years.
• Certification: CPR and First Aid Certification (or become certified within 30 days of employment, paid for by employer).
• Experience: 1 year in early childhood education; must pass a background check including fingerprinting.

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Experience working in an Early Head Start center‑based…