Teacher Assistant

Description

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for assisting the Lead teacher and Teacher in ensuring the health, safety, and quality of education for children within the center’s care. Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, the Assistant teacher collaborates with staff to ensure that curriculum and classroom activities are properly delivered, and that the needs of the students and the goals of the center are met appropriately.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Classroom Management

• Assist lead teacher in planning of weekly lesson plan and daily classroom schedule.
• Assist the lead teacher in the assessment of the skills and progress of each child in own group.
• Responsible for the daily maintenance of children’s rosters, changing logs and daily reports.
• Responsible for assisting in maintaining current displays of children’s work and monthly classroom bulletin boards with depictions that reflect an anti-bias curriculum and multi-cultural respect.
• Interact with the children, with respect, affection, and at their eye level.
• Use appropriate guidance techniques with children, defining and maintaining, clear, consistent and fair limits for classroom behavior, using redirection and encouragement of appropriate behavior.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with children’s parents.
• Maintain toys, materials and equipment in clean and sanitary condition by following the posted disinfecting schedule.

• Help prepare activities that are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children
• Maintain records of attendance and sign-in/out sheets.
• Assist children with activities of daily life (hand washing, family style meals, taking care of their environment, etc.).
• Engage children in activities and play that stimulates their development.
• Establish a professional level of rapport with each family in order to provide quality care and friendly service.
• Assist Lead Teachers and Teachers with conducting child assessments.
• Communicate with the parents through daily drop-off and pick-up as well as on Pro Care.

Maintain Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain 24 hours of trainings within a 12-month period, including, but not limited to: Infant & Child First Aid and CPR, universal precautions, child health and safety, child growth and development, child guidance, childcare environment and other recommended trainings.
• Maintain current training in pediatric CPR & First Aid, and food handling.
• Responsible for assisting in carrying out proper fire drill and evacuation procedures.
• Help in maintaining required staff-to-children ratios, supervising within sight & sound of enrolled children.

• As a mandated reporter, report any suspected or alleged child abuse or neglect.
• Serve meals in accordance with CACFP Guidelines

Other

• Maintain personal hygiene standards.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrate UCP’s Values

• Maintain a positive attitude toward co-workers, families and scholars in the school.
• Be available for assigned but flexible weekly schedule between 6:30 am and 6:00 pm. Events and other events that may be on nights and/or weekends.

• Attend meetings, trainings and UCP Learning Center events as required
• Utilize developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times.
• Bend, kneel or crouch in order to lift children and work on the floor.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Arizona Department of Health Childcare licensing regulation (AZDHS)
• Adhere to and follow NAEYC policies and procedures
• Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social, physical and educational needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience: 

16 years of age 

Current proof of HS enrollment or HS diploma

Must have 1-year experience working in a childcare facility with at least 6 months being consecutive FTE

Requirements: 

Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card

Negative results of a Mantoux TB test

Maricopa County Food Handler Certification

 Must be 18 years of age or older

Immunization verification

Knowledge of:

• AZ DHS Child Care Licensing Rules and regulations

Ability to:

Work independently and as part of a team

Communicate effectively with all levels of staff, parents and children, both orally and in writing

Bend, kneel or crouch in order to lift children and work on the floor

Be available for assigned but flexible weekly schedule

Attend meetings, trainings and UCP Learning Center events as required

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) medium to heavy weights up to 50 pounds. Must be able to bend, kneel, squat, walk and run. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read , adequate hearing to perform job duties in person and over the phone.

Training Requirements

In accordance with UCP guidelines, it is necessary for employees to complete a series of trainings to meet the criteria for this position. The training department will provide a specific departmental guide for these requirements including additional updates.