SUMMARY: The Program Aide is responsible for assisting classroom staff in the Head Start program, a preschool education program that fosters the development of children ages 3-5 from low-income families. The Program Aide will cooperate in a supportive role to promote the health, nutrition and education of the children and to attend to their safety and welfare. Program Aides are expected to encourage the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of the children, to attend to their safety and welfare, and to promote family engagement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• GED/high school diploma minimum with post high school educational coursework in early childhood education/development highly desirable.

• CDA or 15 credit hours in early childhood education preferred.

• Must demonstrate experience and interest in working with young children, parents, and volunteers.

• Strong communications skills, especially good listening & writing skills.

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet and e-mail.

• Must have access to a personal vehicle for local travel, as well as a valid Mississippi driver’s license and proof of insurance.

• Must meet Mississippi State requirements for early child educators: letter of suitability, health screening, and DHA required background check.

• Regular kneeling, stooping, bending, lifting, and sitting on the floor may be required, as well as the ability to respond to an emergency or crisis situation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.

• Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.

• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice-making; ask open-ended questions and follow-up questions to promote further learning and thinking.

• Follow agency-adopted curricula, using effective strategies to guide learning.

• Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in their individualized family service plans (IFSP).

• Prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.

• Coordinate with support staff when indicated, developing a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom.

• Utilize agency adopted tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.

• Monitor and report child abuse.

• Attend and participate in training and appropriate professional development activities.

• Meet requirements of federal and county Head Start performance standards and codes of conduct, as well as other applicable local, state and/or agency policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.