ECC Childcare Assistant

Position Summary:
Responsible for assisting the Lead teacher in developing and implementing a program of developmentally appropriate activities that promoted the social, emotional, and physical development of each child enrolled at Sparta Early Childhood Center. The duties and responsibilities will be carried out under the direction of the Lead Teacher and on a secondary level by the center director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Hours of work - Monday - Friday 3:00-6:00 during the school year, hours change in the summer
• The assistant teacher shall receive training and technical assistance from the classroom lead teacher and on a secondary level by the child care director
• Assist lead teacher in maintaining confidential records on each child’s progress and development for the purpose of planning, by collecting monthly samples of the children’s work
• Participate in staff meetings, center activities, and staff development
• Assist lead teacher in reviewing the progress of each child and develop written plans to promote each child’s growth and development
• Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self-esteem and self-discipline
• Assist lead teacher in planning and implementing the daily program of activities based on the principles of child development and in accordance with the program curriculum using developmentally appropriate practices
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interest, and needs and use this information to facilitate learning and growth
• Assist teacher in maintaining discipline and supervision of all children during all activities
• Implement positive guidance and conflict management techniques when required
• Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such as incident to the center director
• Observes children to detect signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbance, learning disorder, speech problem, or other special needs, and reports observations to the teacher in charge or the center director
• Observes children for any suspected signs of child abuse or neglect and report all observations to the center director in accordance with child abuse/neglect reporting procedures
• Maintain a well-organized, safe and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children
• Inspect and replace damaged or lost materials
• Establish a positive relationship with each child’s family and share information about the child’s day while at school
• Works cooperatively with the teacher to encourage the active participation of all parents in the program
• Becomes familiar with the teacher’s written lesson plans, daily schedule, methods for recording attendance, and all other daily duties of the teacher
• Assumes the teachers role in leading selected activities during designated parts of the class/day on a periodic basis for training purposes
• Assumes the teacher’s full role in the absence of the teacher and supervises the trained volunteer/substitute who will act as the assistant teacher during that period
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children

Physical Requirements

• Be able to lift 25-30 pounds
• Be able to walk, squat, kneel, sit on the floor, see, hear, speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety

Environmental Conditions

• The preschool teacher will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situation happening at once and the preschool teacher will have to supervise all children at all times.

Abilities

• All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children who care served by our center. Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children and their families. The staff must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, as well as appropriate role modeling. Hostility, aggression and unnecessary or inappropriate physical actions as well as inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable

Education Requirements

• Minimum:
  • Experience working with children in a group setting
• Prefer:
  • CDA or Associates Degree in Early Childhood or related field

Additional Requirements

• Must have a negative TB test within one year of start date
• Must pass Childcare’s Comprehensive Fingerprint Background Check
• Must pass School’s Comprehensive Fingerprint Background Check
• Must have or be willing to obtain Adult, Child, and Infant First Aid and CPR