Parent Educator

About CDR At Child Development Resources (CDR), we believe every child deserves a strong start. We are a mission-driven nonprofit providing high-quality early intervention services, family support, and inclusive early childhood education that nurtures the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want a role that combines purpose with an exceptional work-life balance, we invite you to join our team. This position is based in Williamsburg, Virginia, with regular visits to family homes and community locations throughout our service area. You’ll work with supportive colleagues and Early Head Start specialists while building meaningful relationships with children and families.

We offer a competitive total compensation package, generous paid time off, and opportunities to make a positive impact every day.

About the Role

As an Early Head Start (EHS) Home-Based Parent Educator, you’ll partner with families of infants and toddlers through individualized home visits, parent-child learning experiences, group socializations, and family partnership services. You’ll help parents build on their strengths as their child’s first and most important teachers, supporting child development, responsive caregiving, family well-being, and connections to community resources.

This relationship-centered role combines independent work in family homes with collaboration at CDR’s Family Resource Center and in the community. Family schedules may occasionally require early morning, late afternoon, or evening activities.

What You Will Do

Home Visiting & Family Support Maintain an assigned Early Head Start home-based caseload; plan and conduct home visits in accordance with program requirements. Schedule visits collaboratively with families, make reasonable efforts to reschedule missed visits, and document visits and contacts promptly. Use family homes and everyday routines as the primary learning environment, respecting each family’s culture, language, strengths, and priorities.

Build trusting relationships and support families in identifying needs, aspirations, and practical goals. Parent Education & Child Development Use the approved home-based curriculum with fidelity, individualizing activities using observations, child assessments, and family priorities. Partner with parents to strengthen attachment, responsive interactions, language, cognitive and social-emotional development, health, nutrition, and safety.

Support developmental, behavioral, and health screenings and assessments; coordinate referrals and follow-up when concerns arise. Work with Early Head Start specialists and Part C early intervention providers to incorporate applicable IFSP strategies and family priorities. Plan and participate in group socialization experiences that foster parent-child learning and connections among families.

Family Engagement & Goal Setting Partner with families to develop, review, and document Family Partnership Agreements and progress toward individualized goals. Connect families with CDR services and community resources, including health, housing, nutrition, education, and other identified needs. Encourage participation in group activities, volunteering, parent leadership, and Policy Council opportunities.

Support transitions to Head Start, preschool, early childhood special education, or other community placements. Team Collaboration & Community Partnerships Coordinate with EHS staff, CDR programs, early intervention providers, and community partners to support continuity of services. Participate in team meetings, reflective supervision, training, coaching, outreach, and continuous improvement activities.

Share appropriate concerns and observations with specialists or supervisors while protecting family confidentiality. Documentation & Program Compliance Maintain accurate, timely, confidential home-visit, curriculum, assessment, referral, Family Partnership Agreement, mileage, and other required records in approved systems.

Follow Early Head Start standards, CDR policies, safety and confidentiality procedures, and mandated reporting requirements. Recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with Virginia law and CDR procedures. Professional Development Maintain required Early Head Start/CDR training and applicable credentials, including mandated reporting, confidentiality, safety, and emergency procedures.

Participate in reflective supervision and ongoing learning in infant/toddler development, home visiting, family engagement, and parent education.

Minimum Qualifications

At minimum, a Home-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, or equivalent coursework/credential that meets applicable Early Head Start home visitor qualification requirements. Staff working directly with families on the family partnership process must also meet applicable family services qualification requirements, including obtaining the required family services credential or certification within the federal timeframe if not already qualified through an applicable degree or credential.

Experience working with infants, toddlers, and families in home visiting, parent education, early childhood, family support, or human services. Knowledge of infant/toddler development, responsive caregiving, parent-child relationships, family-centered practice, adult learning, health, and nutrition. Strong communication, organization, documentation, confidentiality, and relationship-building skills; ability to work independently in family homes and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally to family homes, group socializations, meetings, and community activities. Reliable transportation is needed for assigned travel. Employees must maintain a valid license, an acceptable driving record, and meet CDR driving and insurability requirements throughout employment.

Driving record verification will be required. Ability to complete required health screening and child protective services, sex offender registry, and criminal background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, family studies, human services, social work, or a related field, with infant/toddler development and family engagement coursework or training. Experience with evidence-based or research-based home visiting, Early Head Start/Head Start, Part C early intervention, screening and assessment, and family partnership services.

Bilingual communication skills that support effective service to enrolled families — $2,000 bilingual premium pay for qualifying skills. Additional credentials in home visiting, parent education, family services, family development, or infant mental health. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is warm, dependable, organized, and skilled at forming respectful partnerships with families.

They enjoy helping parents discover practical ways to support their child’s learning through everyday routines, feel comfortable working independently in diverse home settings, and balance meaningful personal interactions with careful documentation and program accountability. They approach each family with curiosity, cultural humility, and compassion.

Why Work at CDR? Mission-Driven Work: Make a meaningful difference for infants, toddlers, and their families. Relationships That Matter: Build lasting, strengths-based partnerships with parents and caregivers. Supportive Culture: Collaborate with a respectful, caring, multidisciplinary team. Outstanding Benefits: Generous leave, paid holidays, health, dental, and vision insurance, student loan forgiveness eligibility, and a 6% non-contributory retirement plan.

Professional Growth: Ongoing Early Head Start training, reflective supervision, and collaborative learning opportunities. Work-Life Balance: A blend of home-based, community-based, and Family Resource Center work, with scheduling responsive to family and program needs.

Compensation

The compensation target listed represents CDR’s good-faith estimate of the anticipated hiring range for this position and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, education, certifications, internal equity considerations, and the specific responsibilities of the position.

If you’re passionate about helping parents build on their strengths and giving young children the best possible start, we encourage you to apply and become part of the CDR team. Child Development Resources is a Drug-Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.