JOB SUMMARY:The Early Head Start Teacher's Aide will provide comprehensive services to children in the areas of cognition, physical, social and emotional development in a clean, safe classroom or home setting promoting family engagement. Adhere to federal Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing regulations, local agencies policies and core values. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists teachers in maintaining a classroom environment and curriculum to Maryland Department of Education (MSDE) and Head Start standards.
- Assists teachers in developing a daily/weekly classroom lesson plans.
- Assists teachers in completing daily health and safety checks conducting regular fire drills and proper maintenance of equipment, documenting all injuries, hazards and incidents.
- Assists Teachers in completing daily anecdotal notes and observations.
- Assists in tracking daily sign in/out sheets
- Ensures hygiene routines are maintained such as toileting procedures, diaper change, teeth brushing and hand washing.
- Supervises and monitors children's activities in the classroom and outdoor play areas.
- Assist in the daily serving of snacks and meals promoting family serving style.
- Assists in conducting classroom inventory and prepare list of needed supplies.
- Participate in ongoing training and development, case review, staff and individual supervision meetings.
- Assist with recruitment and enrollment and attending community outreach events.
- Assists teachers in conducting home visits and teacher conferences.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.
- One year of experience in child development working with children; preferably infants/toddlers required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- 45 hour Infant and Toddler Certificate required within 6 months of hire
- 90 hour Child Care Certificate within 6 months of hire
- Infant and Toddler CDA within 6 months of hire
- Current Infant/toddler CPR, First Aid Certificate required within 90 days after hire
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Pre-employment Early Head Start CJIS criminal background investigation clearance required
- Pre-employment physical and tuberculosis screen clearance per Early Head Start guidelines required
SCOPE OF SUPERVISION:
- Minimal supervision provided on an as needed basis. Monthly supervision and team meetings are conducted by the supervisor. May be required to advise and guide other personnel (i.e. floaters, substitutes, volunteers and Child Development Assistants) who work with assigned groups of children in classroom, playground areas, and during field trips, as applicable.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability and desire to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Ability to participate in training classes pertaining to child development, children at risk,
special needs, etc.
- Ability to accurately record and deliver information, meet deadlines, and perform all duties efficiently and accurately.
- Ability to communicate effectively and positively with parents, children, staff, supervisor and general public.
- Ability to provide support and education to parents in a positive, non-judgmental manner and respond competently to the culture and values of each individual, family and community.
- Ability to respect participants' communications as confidential and discuss pertinent
information with supervisor and other staff in an appropriate manner/area.
- Ability to involve the parent in working with his/her child.
- Ability to follow through on instructions as they pertain to classroom management.
- Ability to implement the activity plans for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
- Ability to model/teach to parents how to nurture and interact with their children.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Medium: Lifting up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. May be required to regularly stand for extended periods of time, walk, reach with hands/arms with full range of motion, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, push or pull. Regularly required to talk and hear. Frequently required to use hands and fingers to hold, handle and feel objects, knobs, keys and/or buttons. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:Travel is defined as travel to all areas within Goodwill's territory (Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties, Baltimore City and the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland). In some cases, long-distance travel, including overnights may be required but is typically planned in advance. In some cases, travel may be unplanned. Home visits will be conducted weekly and on as needed bases. Personal vehicles are used and mileage reimbursement is available.Up to 25% of working timeWORK ENVIRONMENT:ModerateEmployee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level is usually moderate.