Early Learning Specialist--Northern Berkshires
PO Box 172
210 State Street
NORTH ADAMS, MA 01247
Phone:413-663-6593
Website: ccberkshire.org
Company Description:
Child Care of the Berkshires is a large not-for profit, early care and family support agency, operating a variety of programs throughout Berkshire County, including child care centers, a network of family child care homes, home visiting programs, parent child playgroups, parent education and skill building programs.
Its mission is to promote and strengthen families through the provision of high quality child care services to families whose parents are working or in training or, for any number of reasons, cannot adequately care for the children as well as other types of social and educational services which directly affect families and their well being.
Child Care of the Berkshires employs approximately 75 staff persons and its operating budget is approximately $5 million dollars. Child Care of the Berkshires is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, with a longstanding commitment to increasing the diversity of the employee community.
Nonprofit
Education/Training
Required
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.
RESPONSIBLE TO: ParentChild+ Program Coordinator
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.
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 child care 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 plan and implement activities to occur in families' homes.
- 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
