Massachusetts Education Jobs

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The ParentChild+ Program at Child Care of the Berkshires is a home visiting program. Early Learning Specialists bring books and toys to read, play and do fun activities for parents and their toddlers/preschoolers, to promote school-readiness skills. Early Learning Specialists make a difference by building the parent-child bond, helping children learn through play, and connecting families with community supports to help them thrive. BASIC FUNCTION: The Early Learning Specialist has an assigned caseload of families with young children, ages 18 months-4 years old. S/he will promote early literacy in the families\' homes by modeling and encouraging nurturing conversation, reading and learning through play. S/he will plan activities using books and toys as the curriculum. S/he will travel to families\' homes to provide the program. S/he will document all home visits. S/he will be supported at weekly staff meetings and monthly supervision. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS: - Work with all families, staff and community members in a strength-based manner. - Demonstrate a commitment to value diversity and contribute to an equitable and inclusive working environment. - Communicate effectively with families and staff through text, email and phone conversations. - Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and professional development. - Demonstrate regular, dependable and punctual attendance. Requirements SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: - The Early Learning Specialist is assigned a caseload of 4 or more families, and creates a schedule to visit each home twice weekly for ? hour, at the convenience of the family, scheduling make-up visits as needed. - The Early Learning Specialist models and emphasizes talking and learning using the provided books and toys, and plans an activity extending the learning from these books and toys. - The Early Learning Specialist writes short notes and updates a schedule of visits in a timely manner, as directed by the Coordinator. - The Early Learning Specialist, in conjunction with the parent, assesses the developmental progress of the children, using provided screenings, twice yearly. - The Early Learning Specialist attends weekly staff meetings and supervision meetings. - The Early Learning Specialist is required to participate initially in 16 hours of orientation/training. The Early Learning Specialist continues professional development, and attends relevant training events, as directed by the Coordinator. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: - A high school diploma/GED and experience working with families. - Ability to establish supportive, non-judgmental rapport with others; must demonstrate good listening and speaking skills. - Parenting or childcare experience and understanding of child development strongly preferred. - Positive attitude, understanding and commitment to \"Strengthening Families\" philosophy and family support principles - Ability to create activities to extend learning using provided books and toys. - Ability to structure time and responsibilities independently. - Ability to work with families from a variety of backgrounds. - Must successfully complete the CORI process Salary Range: commensurate with experience, part-time, year round. CHILD CARE OF THE BERKSHIRES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, WITH A LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF THE EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY