Preschool Center Team Substitute

Position is part-time with working hours per week dependent upon agency and center needs or a maximum of 28 hours per week. For weeks with less than five working days, daily hours only apply. Requires use of own vehicle to conduct business. Position is a part-year assignment, August-May.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is an entry-level, part-time, floating position responsible for covering in classroom, child care or food service, when regular staff or volunteers are unavailable. The role may include long-term assignments to fill in for employees on leave or vacancies. Flexibility is required to work various daytime shifts or locations within our service area, as well as occasional evening or weekend availability to provide child care during parent activities or classes.

Responsibilities include:

• Following CACFP, Head Start Performance Standards, Early Learning Essentials policies and procedures, and local Health Department regulations.
• Provide appropriate learning activities, supervision, and instruction to children during class time or after hours while parents are engaged in activities or classes.
• Promoting children's health, nutrition, education, and safety.

This position requires in-person work and is not eligible for telecommuting.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

If working in food services:

1. Under the direction of Nutrition Staff, assist with preparation and serving breakfast, lunch and snacks in compliance with CACFP and Head Start guidelines.

• Assist in the preparation of the correct quantity of food to meet CACFP and Head Start standards.
• Assist with the preparation of special meals following special meal plans for children requiring modifications and/or substitutions.

• Assist with the preparation of meals according to the center schedule that has been determined by the Teacher.
• Assist with delivering and picking up food from Head Start classrooms, as needed.

1. Assists in maintaining kitchen to meet sanitation requirements which include:

• Assist in the preparation and storage of foods in a sanitary manner to meet all health codes.
• Assist with washing and storing dishes using proper sanitation procedures.
• Assist cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen, stoves, carts, and work surfaces to meet all requirements of the Health Code.

If working in the classroom:

You will play a vital role in supporting the classroom by being an extra set of hands when needed. Your presence ensures the smooth operation of the classroom, contributing to a positive and organized learning environment.

Responsibilities include:

1. Interacts Respectfully with Children:

• Demonstrates a genuine interest in children and treats each child with respect.

Helps Maintain Child-Adult Ratios:

• Assists in maintaining appropriate child-adult ratios in the classroom while the teacher and assistant teacher stagger planned breaks.

Performs Cleaning Tasks:

• Sweeps floors, especially under tables and chairs, to maintain cleanliness.
• Sanitizes tables and cleans chairs after meal services.

Supports Classroom Management:

• Helps supervise children in various interest areas of the classroom as directed by the teacher.
• Helps manage smooth transitions between activities or groups of children by providing additional support and ensuring that children follow routines and instructions.

Provides Behavior Support: Assists with managing behaviors in the classroom, such as sitting with a child who needs extra support or attention to help them stay focused and engaged. Adheres to Supervision Requirements: Abides by ELE Supervision of Children requirements, such as never being alone with children in the program and making sure children are never left unsupervised. Provides General Classroom Support: Provides any other support as directed by the teacher to meet the needs of the classroom.

If you are providing child care for Family Services:

1. Your primary responsibility is the safety of the children at all times. Adhere to child care safety policies and procedures.
2. Child care is only available for children aged 3 to 12 years old.
3. Issue matching numbered bracelets to parents and children, and ensure all children are properly signed in and out by their parents.
4. Record the total number of children at the bottom of the attendance sheet and conduct a child count every 15 minutes.
5. Facilitate planned activities with the children.
6. Clean up the child care area and bathroom at the end of your shift.
7. General Duties and Responsibilities:
8. Demonstrates understanding of child abuse/neglect laws as taught in New Employee Orientation. Reports suspected child abuse to the Family & Community Services Director.
9. Collaborates with other service areas to ensure seamless services to children and families

and ensures we are staying true to our mission and vision. Attends and participates in

staff and parent training sessions, as directed, i.e. pre-service, orientations, correlation

meetings, in-service training meetings and other agency activities as required.

1. Supports the achievement of in-kind goals by actively participating in the solicitation of

in-kind services and donations to the Head Start program including, but not limited to,

encouraging community members and organizational contacts to volunteer, provide donations of professional services, supplies, and anything else needed to support the

Head Start program.

1. Expected to assist the agency in maintaining safe and healthy environments for children and staff by immediately reporting health and safety risks/concerns or potential concerns to a leadership staff member and/or via our internal work order system and follow up with appropriate staff in a timely or appropriate manner.
2. Other job-related duties as assigned may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of

this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED or be willing to enroll in a GED preparation program leading to a GED.

• Must obtain a Food Handler Certificate upon hire if not currently certified.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Experience cooking in a food service establishment and prior experience working with preschool children is preferred.

• Prior experience with the CACFP is desirable.

• Knowledge of child development and experience in child care.

• Must have transportation to be able to perform required shopping duties.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems with limited supervision.

• Ability to write and speak the English language in a proficient and professional manner to meet requirements of the job or be willing to enroll in an ESL class leading to English proficiency.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, subordinates, parents, community groups, and other related agencies and people.

EARLY LEARNING ESSENTIALS. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION AT OUR DISCRETION WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANYTIME.