Teacher Aide / Food Aide

Educare of Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.  The mission of Educare is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families.

 This position is a blended position to offer support to classrooms and the kitchen.  

The Teacher Aide works cooperatively with the Teacher and Associate Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children.  Under the supervision of the Teacher, the Teacher Aide ensures that the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Lincoln Sixpence, the Nebraska Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In the absence of the Teacher and Associate Teacher, the Teacher Aide takes responsibility for management of the classroom.

The Food Aide assists with the preparation of meals and snacks and their delivery to the classrooms and assists in maintaining cleanliness of the kitchen work area.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

Child Development

• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Assist in the development of an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.
• Provide information to the Teacher, Master Teacher, and other Service Providers that assist in the referral process for children with special needs.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom.

Classroom Management

• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment, and encourage child’s independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy classroom environment.
• Utilize guidelines from ITERS/ECERS, CLASS, Inventory of Practices, and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.

Curriculum

• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities that enhance the social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development of each child.
• Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for children.
• Participate in the self-assessment process.
• Write anecdotal observations for the development of individualized plans for children and for measuring and evaluating child progress.
• Assist in, or take responsibility for as assigned, the creation of documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

Parent Involvement

• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
• As assigned by the Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress.

Food Aide Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of meals and snacks.
• Maintain kitchen sanitation requirements through cleaning of utensils, dishes, and equipment on a scheduled basis.
• Assist with activities of ordering, storing, and maintaining inventories of food products and kitchen chemicals.
• Assist with preparation of paperwork associated with the nutrition program.
• Launder center items as needed daily.
• Follow the guidance for the Food Service Coordinator.

Other

• Participate in reflective supervision with primary supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification within the first two years of employment or enroll in and actively pursue an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• One year of work experience in similar position preferred.
• Willingness to participate in food handlers training.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of curriculum, principles, and best practices of early childhood education.
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Willingness to participate in Educare’s commitment to continuously review, analyze, and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern, and openness to change.
• Ability to take, or think about, the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one’s own culture, beliefs, and values.
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve.
• Ability to maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Knowledge of food handling requirements and practices.
• Skill in operating several types of kitchen equipment such as stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and other equipment.
• Ability to establish working relationships and interact effectively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to complete necessary records and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.