Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Special Beginnings Program Manager, the Early Childhood Educator 4 (ECE 4), provides site supervision and instruction of preschool aged children, educational exercises for parents and leadership over other staff in the performance of program requirements. Advances the emotional, cognitive and social development of children, providing developmentally appropriate activities in a relationship-based environment.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The ECE 4 is trained to provide site supervision and deliver age-appropriate education to preschool children.  The ECE programs are designed to be relationship-based with culturally and linguistically appropriate indoor and outdoor curriculum and learning environments.  The ECE 4 position requires the appropriate credentials, plus the demonstrated ability, through coursework and experience, to provide site supervision and deliver age-appropriate subject matter and learning style concepts that enhance the skill and development of preschool aged children.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities (Examples of Essential Job Functions)

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Organizes, leads and provides direct support and assistance in the development, coordination and implementation of child development programs for preschool children and families.
• Plans, designs and provides a developmentally appropriate, high quality preschool experience, specifically designed to enhance the social, emotional, physical and cognitive capabilities of children.
• Ensures a safe, clean and healthy indoor and outdoor environment for children, with consistent inspection of grounds, materials, equipment and furniture. Oversees and assists staff, parents and volunteers in maintaining an orderly, clean and appealing site.
• Oversees and gives each child individual and positive special attention each day.  Responds to each child’s particular needs and characteristics.  Ensures that all children receive equal attention.
• Uses knowledge of children’s cultural and linguistic backgrounds and experiences to facilitate interactions and learning.
• Supports inclusion of children with special needs. Implements developmentally appropriate and practical individual education (IEP) adaptations and interventions as needed. Applies social and emotional development screens.
• Develops monthly lesson plans by facilitating input from co-workers and colleagues utilizing the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Preschool Curriculum Framework to inform the curriculum-planning process.
• Ensures a positive social–emotional climate in the learning environment based upon the individual strengths and interests of the children in the group.
• Receives information from specialists pertaining to the physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of children in the class.  Identifies potential special needs of students; cooperates and participates with other professional staff to assess and adapt practices to meet the individual needs of all students.
• Ensures that parents complete attendance documents on a daily basis.  Prepares attendance reports by summarizing sign-in documents.  Initiates phone and/or personal contact with parents in connection with child’s attendance and performance.
• Completes periodic documentation and reporting tasks, such as required with Title 5 regulations, the Child Care Food Program and HCOE policies.
• Observes and documents the developmental accomplishments of each student for the purpose of assessment and in preparation of periodic progress reports.
• Ensures that parents receive conferences.  Coordinates, prepares for and holds conferences with parents on the progress of children, including information on social–emotional development, language and literacy, mathematics, English-language development, physical development, health and science.  May make home visits.
• Encourages parent involvement in educational activities.  Designs learning exercises that encourage the parents to volunteer and become involved.
• Schedules and organizes events, field trips and other activities that require integration of other District services.
• Plans, coordinates and presents at school functions, such as back-to-school night, parent open houses, etc. May complete parent education activities as they relate to program requirements and needs.
• Serves as a resource to staff regarding early childhood development and program curriculum.
• Works and interacts with peers, as individuals and/or in team/group settings, in a professional manner that contributes to HCOE’s academic achievement goals.
• Maintains current knowledge of new techniques and developments in pre-school education by maintaining contact with professional associations, educational groups and by reading outcome-based research materials.
• Coordinates and evaluates the work of ECE Teachers and Assistants.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards)

Knowledge of:

• Specialized knowledge of child development and best practices.
• Understanding of the goals and objectives of a preschool program.
• Special knowledge of the preschool developmental domains and content areas of social-emotional development, language and literacy, mathematics, English-language development, visual and performing arts, physical development, health, history-social science and science.
• Working knowledge of curriculum development and Title 22 licensing requirements.

Ability to:

• Utilize creative writing skills to prepare and/or adapt age appropriate class materials and reports.
• Use well-developed oral communication skills to convey concepts in classroom and community-based settings and work cooperatively with a diverse population of children and parents.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom and outdoor environments.
• Understand sequence of child development and apply strategies and techniques to meet the needs of children along the developmental continuum.
• Provide positive social, emotional and behavioral supports to meet the needs of all students.
• Observe, assess and evaluate the development of preschool children.
• Ability to learn, interpret and apply HCOE, member district, State and Federal requirements and objectives for academic achievement.
• Must be able to prepare curriculum for indoor and outdoor environments.
• Develop and maintain a productive and safe classroom environment.
• Organize and prioritize work & manage time effectively.

Education And Experience

Minimum Required:

• Site Supervisor CD permit or the education & experience listed below:
• 350 days experience, including at least 100 days supervising adults.
• Associates Degree or higher, which includes 24 units of approved coursework in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or relatable field (including the core areas), plus an additional 6 units of administration and supervision and 2 units of adult supervision.

Preferred:

• Working with children with special needs in an early learning environment.
• Knowledge of and experience supporting inclusion in early learning environments.

Working Conditions (Work Environment) and Physical Demands

With or without accommodation, this position includes prolonged periods of standing or sitting, frequent walking, and occasional bending, stooping, and reaching. The employee must be able to lift, push, and pull objects up to 40 pounds. Visual and auditory abilities are required to perform essential job functions. This position will be required to shift between indoor and outdoor work environments and requires the ability to move around the preschool classroom, playgrounds and assist with play-oriented learning activities and student interventions. Some county travel will be expected to attend staff trainings and meetings.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Child Abuse Central Index records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing (required for state pre-school program) and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (required for state pre-school program).
• Required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within 60 days of employment.
• Completion of Employee Rights Form LIC 9052
• Completion of Child Abuse Mandated Reporter training for Child Care within 60 days of employment.
•  Required to obtain Preventative Health Practices certificates within 60 days of employment.

Provide proof of current immunizations for MMR, Tdap, and Influenza.

Required to complete Child Care Center Orientation and Record Keeping Training

• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.
• May require fluency in a second language

Classified hourly, Range 11, Approved August 2025