Child Development Specialist

Role Overview

The Child Development Specialist supports early education services for children and families enrolled in Allies’ network of contracted licensed family child care home providers. Working under the Director of Early Care and Education and with guidance from the Head of Educational Excellence, this position is part of a team of specialists focused on delivering high-quality experiences, family support, provider coaching, health and safety monitoring, recruitment, and lesson planning.

Allies for Every Child is dedicated to helping children at risk and children living in poverty build strong foundations for future success. For almost four decades, the organization has delivered child development, family wellness, early education, Early Head Start, foster care, adoption, mental health, assessment, nutrition, dental and vision screening, and pediatric consultation services. Its reach also expanded in 2024 through Extraordinary Families, serving youth in foster care and those moving toward adulthood.

Early Education Responsibilities

The role involves direct work with children, families, and family child care home education providers, along with recordkeeping, quality assurance, and community engagement.

• Observe children and complete developmental assessments, incorporating input from parents and providers, including Desired Results Developmental Profile assessments for children in the FCCHEN and EHS programs.
• Carry out semi-annual developmental screenings using Ages and Stages Questionnaires-3 and Social-Emotional tools during home visits, and support referrals to inclusion services or local agencies when needed.
• Partner with families through formal evaluation processes and provide guidance around children’s growth, needs, and interests.
• Complete two home visits per fiscal year for each family on the caseload to share resources and offer encouragement.
• Identify social, health, and other family needs and connect parents to public assistance, health care, housing, counseling, and similar supports.
• Support completion of recurring family surveys, including the 5 protective factors survey and annual family survey.
• Communicate with parents as needed to share assessment results, resolve parent-provider concerns, and discuss strategies that support child development.
• Plan and facilitate parent activities that encourage engagement, participation, and feedback.
• Help parents and families access education services, trainings, and program-wide advisory opportunities.
• Support transition planning into preschool, Head Start, or kindergarten in coordination with the Family and Community Specialist.
• Assist families with documentation and paperwork related to Early Head Start and CDSS requirements, including follow-up as needed.
• Provide support for health, nutrition, mental health, disability, and attendance-related follow-up.
• Work with health, family, mental health, and inclusion team members to ensure children’s needs are addressed comprehensively.
• Coach, mentor, model, and train providers and their staff on child development, technical assistance, and other identified needs.
• Hold monthly meetings, conduct semi-monthly home visits, make phone consultations as needed, and support monthly responsive training sessions.
• Offer curriculum guidance, including developmentally appropriate activities, individualized supports, and strategies for English language learners.
• Promote strong teaching practices and effective learning environments with providers and parents.
• Monitor ratios, health and safety, child files, licensing and contract compliance, attendance sheets, nutrition observations, and related program requirements.
• Conduct home visits, coaching, and follow-up to ensure access to resources, emotional support, and correct implementation of federal regulations.
• Visit family child care homes to support family goals and ensure comprehensive services are delivered.
• Maintain records of home visits, conferences, assessments, referrals, and corrective action plans.
• Keep child records organized in hard copy and/or the ChildPlus database and maintain an effective tracking system.
• Review assessment results with providers and document all parent, provider, and community referrals, including health-related records.
• Take part in internal audits, file reviews, and quality assurance activities.
• Complete annual and ongoing provider assessments using the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale.
• Support recruitment of prospective families and providers.
• Attend child development conferences, interagency meetings, and community events when assigned.
• Complete annual evaluations for providers on the caseload.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned and assist with other team tasks when needed.

Additional Requirements and Conditions

Candidates must be able to work evenings and weekends when necessary. The organization expects staff to model its standards of conduct, prioritize safety in all work, and act in line with the agency’s and program’s mission, vision, framework, and philosophy.

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early education, or a related discipline, plus two years of post-graduate experience in early childhood education; related fields may include elementary education, early childhood special education, psychology, family consumer sciences, home economics, social work, or social services.
• Infant/toddler units are considered an advantage.
• Two years of experience in early education programs as a lead or supervisor is preferred.
• At least one year of experience serving low-income families in a case management role.
• Knowledge of the Head Start Early Learning Child Outcomes Framework is preferred.
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee strong early childhood programming and comprehensive services.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational ability and a team-oriented mindset.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Word, Excel, and software applications.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills are preferred.
• Genuine interest in learning and curiosity about issues affecting children and families.
• Alignment with Allies for Every Child’s mission and philosophy.
• All staff are expected to serve as role models for the children and families the agency supports.
• Fingerprint-based background clearance is required, including DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse Clearance Index checks, or an approved exemption.
• Pre-employment physical clearance, PPD risk assessment, and proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap), measles (MMR), and influenza are required; influenza vaccination may be declined.
• A Class C driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and reliable transportation are required.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected pay range for this California role is $26.00 to $29.00 per hour. Actual pay will depend on experience and other factors allowed by law.

The benefits package includes paid time off, employer-paid health coverage, retirement support, insurance, wellness resources, and development opportunities.

• 12 holidays per calendar year
• 10 sick leave days per year
• 10 vacation days per year, increasing with tenure
• 2 personal days tied to birthday and employment anniversary
• 10 jury duty days
• Full employer contribution to health coverage through Kaiser or Anthem, plus dental and vision
• Pet insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% employer match on the first 4%
• Employer-paid life and accidental insurance
• Supplemental life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and dependents
• Discounts on entertainment, travel, hotels, sporting events, and shows
• Initial and ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunities for advancement and growth
• Employee referral bonus of $1,500
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness support
• Credit union membership

Equal Opportunity and Agency Information

Allies for Every Child values a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and promotes inclusion, individuality, and respect for varied backgrounds and lived experiences. The organization holds accreditation through the Council on Accreditation and operates with support from a Head Start grant. It also states that its diversity definition includes race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes.

Application Details

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume by email to the human resources contact provided in the source posting.

Legal and Funding Notice

The program is supported by a grant from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The posted disclaimer notes that neither the Administration for Children and Families nor its components are responsible for or endorse the website, and that the views expressed are those of Allies for Every Child.