Early Childhood Education Assistant

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Early Head Start Teacher's Aide to join our team at SCMCAA. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the Lead Teacher in carrying out daily activities designed to provide for the physical, emotional, nutritional, social, and intellectual development of the children within an environment that is safe, healthy, and conducive to learning.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the direction of classroom activities, health, safety, and well-being of the children during time in the Head Start program.
• Work as a team with other teaching staff and assist with daily activities in the Head Start center as required.
• Assist in developing weekly lesson plans and activities as needed to meet children's individual needs.
• Perform teaching tasks as outlined in the curriculum and performance standards.
• Assist with all requirements of the teaching position, including home visits, screening, and assessment of children and other required documentation and duties.
• Perform duties of the teacher, when necessary, due to the teacher's absence.
• Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program's first and last contact of the day.
• Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
• Ensure that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Ensure that the communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. The communication system is utilized for Head Start business only.
• Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
• Assist with recruiting age-eligible children.
• Understand the responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand the Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
• Never leave a child unattended.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have an infant/toddler CDA.
• Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program performance standards.
• Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
• Develop and implement classroom activities based on children's individual needs.
• Work well with other center staff, parents, and managers.
• Knowledge of basic child development as well as child care and guidance knowledge.
• Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency, and community.
• Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
• Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.

Working Conditions

The job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running, and sitting in child-sized chairs and/or on the floor. The risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets, and rural roads during the transportation of children, and risk of exposure to communicable diseases are present.