SUMMARY

As a team member, the Classroom Aide assists the teaching staff in all aspects of the center program and is receptive to learning and gaining experience in the early care and education filed while pursuing the CDA.

The Classroom Aide is responsible for the following tasks:

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Understand and fulfill the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Care Centers (Department of Social Services, Commonwealth of Virginia). Attached is the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child day Care Centers which requires signature of the employee.
• Facilitate the development of the "whole" child, enhancing each child's self-esteem and independence.
• Treat each child with dignity and respect, recognizing and considering the individual needs of each child in relation to cultural and socioeconomic background, handicaps, special talents and interests, style and pace of learning; communicate effectively and appropriately with the age group assigned.
• Provide a nurturing atmosphere for the children demonstrated by interacting on child's eye level, sitting on the floor with children, providing appropriate physical contact for comforting and reassurance.
• Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
• Work interactively with children in all activity areas in classroom or outdoors as assigned; implement and support Developmentally Appropriate Practices, providing a stimulating environment for the children. ADDENDUM is attached for the assigned classroom age group with specific practices for the development of these children.
• Develop and demonstrate an understanding of UC’s performance and quality improvement program, the Total Learning Continuum (TLC),
• Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
• Assist children in developing good personal hygiene, changing diapers, toilet training and washing of hands.
• Maintains structure and assist in control of the classroom at all times including during episodes of children’s upsets and emergency situations.
• Follow all procedures and requirements as noted by UC policy & procedures and in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s licensing requirements to assure the safety of the children in your assigned environment, monitoring their safety at all times.
• Implement limit setting for children according to the policies of the Center.
• Protect confidential information of both the child(ren) and families associated with the BEL Center.
• Prepare and maintain space and materials for classroom and outdoor activities.

Classroom Duties:

Establish positive relationships with parents/guardians/families by:

• Greeting each person warmly during drop off and pick up, sharing both positive and negative events of the child's day, by taking an interest in the family as a whole, and by responding to parent/guardian/family questions and concerns.
• Maintaining confidentiality with information relating to parent(s)/guardian(s)/family and children, being careful what information is shared with other staff.
• Encouraging family participation in classroom program, special activities, parent/guardian meetings and training.

Daily requirements:

• Maintain classroom ratio of staff to children at all times and knowing when to call the Director of Child Care Services for additional staff support to maintain required levels of coverage.
• Support teaching staff in carrying out center’s discipline policy.
• Provide interactive supervision on the playground.
• Feed and supervise children during meals and eat with them as age level requires.
• Assist and serve breakfast, lunch and snacks according to the planned menu; clean up afterwards including high chairs, tables and floors.
• Share with the classroom staff the responsibility of maintaining a clean room. Clean & Disinfect toys and equipment according to center standards.
• Report problems, illness of a child or signs of child abuse promptly to the Director of Child Care Services, Assistant Director of child Care Services or the Child Development Specialist.
• Adhere to UC Personnel Policies and Procedures and help maintain the UC "Statement of Philosophy" and the BEL Center Philosophy" as written in the Personnel Manual.
• Assist the teacher in implementing the lesson plan, center program and supervision of children.
• Prepare room for nap by moving furniture and placing costs on the floor; assist in settling children down for nap; return cots and furniture after nap time.
• Assist with special center-wide projects and activities as assigned.
• Assist staff in general maintenance of classroom environment including picking up and sorting toys, moving furniture.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Participate in training (minimum of 32 hours per year) without compensation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding children and their families.
• Classroom Aides are not to accept payment of fees from parents.
• Participate in planning effort by teaching staff.
• Clean and disinfect toys and equipment as assigned.
• Notify Lead Teacher of anticipated absences.
• Adhere to UC's Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Attend parent meetings during the course of the year as requested without compensation.
• Attend quarterly staff meetings of the agency and any others as requested.
• Attend occasional evening and/or weekend meetings and training sessions without compensation.
• Attend BEL Center staff meetings.
• May be asked to provide child care during parent, staff or other meetings with pay.
• Maintain neat and clean appearance.

GENERAL AREAS

• Adherence to and support of UC’s (and BEL Center philosophy if applicable). This includes a proven ability to exercise empathy and positive regard in providing services to clients.
• Ability to work cooperatively with peers and supervisors.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with clients, children, families and other agency representatives.
• Quality of work. This includes exercise of promptness, accuracy, and sound judgment, meeting required outcomes and the ability to perform all aspects of the job description.
• This includes the desire determination and ability to provide comprehensive services to clients, children, and families.

REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASSROOM AIDE STEPS:

• Able to communicate effectively in English with staff, families and children both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds. Good vision, hearing, mobility to work with children on the floor (up and down) with repetitive stretching and bending. Ability to walk up and down stairs, be outside for extended periods of time and ability to move children in cribs during emergencies. Ability to push a stroller for extended distances with multiple children in the stroller.
• Preferably bilingual in Spanish, but not required
• Prior to first day of working with children, complete CPR and first aid training, or present proof of CPR training within past year and first aid training within past three years. Update CPR training annually and first aid every three years. Those working with infants must have infant CPR completed and maintained.
• Must have a clear Virginia Central Registry check as dictated by the Code of Virginia 63.1-198.1. In addition, there must be a clear finding for other criminal offenses in the Virginia Criminal History record for not less than five years prior to date of service.
• Prior to first day of working with children, receive a negative report of TB screening prior and maintain annual TB screenings with a negative report as a condition of employment.
• Able to meet all requirements for Employment Eligibility Verification.
• Agree to flexible classroom and duty assignment.
• Demonstrate consistent pleasant disposition towards children, families and staff.

Step 1:

Classroom Aides shall be at least 18 years of age and shall meet the general qualifications, health, orientation training, and staff development requirements for the applicable position.

Be actively working on Child Development Associate (CDA) or related education certificate, using time other than regular working hours.

Step 2:

Has Child Development Associate (CDA) or related education certificate and one plus years of childcare experience in a daycare setting.

Other Duties

Such other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission and abide by our Organization’s Values.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $22.98 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Alexandria, VA 22306 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Alexandria, VA 22306: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person