Summary:

The position of Teacher Assistant for the Early Childhood Learning Center will assist the teacher during day to day functions. This position will cover in the event of an absence from the teacher, work-study, and student teacher. This position may be in charge of the classroom at the beginning and/or end of the day including opening or closing the center. This particular position is a closing position in our infant classroom.

Responsibilities:

The Teacher Assistant will assist and/or cover in the classroom when extra assistance is needed and be responsible to supervise and manage a group of 8 children between the ages of birth to 2 years old and occasionally share in the supervision of the toddler group while outside. The Teacher Assistant will be responsible for making sure that all children are taken outside weather permitting and that all individual children’s needs are met including diapering, feeding, interacting, and napping.

Essential Duties:

• Commit to the ECLC philosophy and reinforce and promote developmentally appropriate practices
• Assist in planning, supervision, and implementation of a developmentally appropriate program for children
• Assist in the planning and preparation of the learning environment, setting up centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies
• Assist in meeting the needs of individual children with concern for their interests, limitations, special talents, and individual style and pace of learning
• Assist in the ongoing evaluation of procedures needed to assess the development levels of the children and the effectiveness of the center
• Consider individual children in relationship to their gender, culture, and socio-economic background
• Treat children with dignity and respect
• Help children become aware of their roles as integral members of a group
• Keep up-to-date on good teaching practices and of child growth and development
• Enforce parent and child written policies, procedures and contracts
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of nutrition, health, and first aid
• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and pleasant learning environment
• Assume an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the staff including general cleaning
• Recognize symptoms of communicable diseases and follow existing written procedures
• Participate in routine fire drills and assist in emergency procedures (and train children and student employees on appropriate fire safety procedures)
• Welcome, receive, and provide information to all visitors, parents, children, and students
• Attend staff meetings
• Follow ECLC Staff and Parent Handbook Policies and Procedures
• Communicate effectively and regularly with lead teachers and director
• Assist in the public relation events sponsored by the center
• Participate in recommended training programs, conferences, courses, and other aspects of professional growth
• Participate in ongoing planning and evaluation of the Center’s program goals
• Comply with National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) criteria
• Maintain positive relationships including adhering to NAEYC’s professional Code of Ethics in relationships with the children, coworkers, students, and parents
• Assist in conducting various self-study and comprehensive evaluation activities necessary to obtain national accreditation through NAEYC
• Other duties as assigned by the director

In absence of lead teacher:

• Communicate daily with parents, providing information regarding their children
• Model and provide information on effective parenting skills and strategies
• Supervise the classroom
• Monitor work-study students and student teachers
• Ensure that all children’s needs are met

Work Environment:

Typical work environment is a classroom, kitchen, and office setting requiring normal to advanced safety precautions. Work is usually performed during the normal workday however, early morning or evening work may be required. (Current position will be afternoon to early evening.) This position will work closely with children, so extra safety precautions will be required. This position is frequently exposed to bodily fluids (excrement when changing diapers or toilet accidents, blood due to scrapes and other injury, and exposure to mouth and nose fluids when wiping/cleaning nose & mouth/face). Frequent periods of time will be spent outdoors supervising children on playground in various weather conditions. Occasional traveling between campus buildings and between schools in various weather conditions

Physical Demands:

Employee is regularly required to sit, speak, hear, stoop, crouch, use hands and fingers to handle materials and use computer, feel, and reach/lift with hands and arms. Frequent lifting/carrying of up to 30 pounds will be required (picking children up, etc.).Less frequent lifting/carrying of up to 50 pounds may be required (office supplies, paper boxes, small children etc…). This position requires a lot of movement, due to working with children.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or relevant field or a Child Development Credential (CDA) or working towards a degree in one of these areas
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and nutrition
• Be certified or ability to become certified in both CPR and First Aid
• Demonstrate knowledge and follow universal guidelines in health and safety protocol for example: hand washing and sanitizer, latex gloves, appropriate disposal of body fluids, administering and recording medication, filing injury reports, posting records of each child’s allergies and considering those allergies in daily operations
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Be able to relate and communicate well with children
• Be willing to fulfill responsibilities in accordance with ECLC’s philosophy
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize assigned work
• Must agree to background check that reveals no allegations of child abuse or neglect; consent to fingerprinting
• Good health as confirmed by a physician’s statement
• Proof of being tuberculosis free
• Maintain neat and professional appearance
• Ability to maintain prompt working hours
• Other requirements as related by the licensing agency including but not limited to obtaining at least 8 hours of professional development clock hours yearly

To Apply:

• Application, complete with 3 references
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Copies of unofficial transcripts recommended at time of application but required prior to on-campus interview

Note to Candidates:

• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• This is a part-time, non-benefited position.
• Official transcripts required upon hire