Assistant Teacher - Full-Time

Description

Title: Assistant Teacher

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Child Development

Position Summary:

The Assistant Teacher supports the Early Head Start (EHS) Teacher in creating a safe, nurturing environment that promotes the health, safety, and overall development of children from birth to three years old. This role involves forming caring, responsive relationships with infants and toddlers and providing individualized care to support their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. The Assistant Teacher also helps the EHS Teachers with lesson preparation, instruction, observation, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences focused on each child’s development.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Responsibilities:

• Always maintain constant visual and auditory supervision of children.
• Assist EHS Teachers in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support the intellectual and physical growth of infants and toddlers.
• Help improve school readiness by supporting individualized developmental plans in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Document children’s progress using Teaching Strategies GOLD, including observations, photos, videos, work samples, and input from parents.
• Actively engage with children through direct instruction and interaction during all supervised periods.
• Facilitate age-appropriate interactions through one-on-one, small group, and large group activities.
• Responsibly meet each child’s individual needs, including diapering, toilet training, and accommodating physical requirements—with respect and care.
• Provide attentive care and supervision, supporting children with toileting, hygiene, and other self-care routines.
• Guide and train parents and volunteers on classroom procedures, appropriate interactions, and assigned tasks.
• Complete all required daily documentation, such as attendance records, daily reports, safety checklists, and emergency drill logs.
• Participate in home visits and parent-teacher conferences to discuss developmental progress and set goals in partnership with families.
• Support and implement individualized plans for infants and toddlers based on their developmental needs.
• Prepare and store formula accurately, recording daily intake for each child.
• Promote healthy habits by brushing children’s teeth with them after each meal.
• Respond to injuries or emergencies in the classroom promptly and appropriately.
• Assist in setting up, cleaning, and preparing the classroom and materials for daily activities.
• Maintain regular attendance and arrive on time for all scheduled shifts.
• Complete all assigned duties promptly and responsibly.
• Pursue ongoing professional development through early childhood education courses, trainings, workshops, and conferences, as budget allows.

Competency Statements:

• Applies knowledge of early childhood milestones to support each child’s growth and learning.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant classroom environment always.
• Build strong relationships with families and encourage parent involvement.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and provide support and leadership when needed.
• Responds flexibly to challenges while keeping children’s needs a priority.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This role supervises classroom volunteers and substitutes.

Work Environment:

This position is based in a classroom setting, working in close proximity to other staff and young children. Time may also be spent outdoors daily, in varying seasonal weather conditions. The noise level can range from moderate to loud, and the environment may occasionally be fast-paced or chaotic, which is typical when working with infants to 3-year-olds. Employees should be prepared for exposure to strong odors (such as soiled clothing or diapers), poor hygiene, and occasional contact with childhood illnesses or bodily fluids. The role also involves regular use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, including evenings, and potentially weekends. Work hours and shifts may vary based on business needs

Qualifications

Required Minimum Job Qualifications, Experience, and Education:

Education: Associates Degree, Child Development Associate (CDA), or a Certificate of Mastery, or provide proof of CDA Certification or acquire a CDA within the 1^st year of hire

Experience: Experience working with children in a similar setting.

Skills: Fluency in both English and Spanish is required. Proficient in Microsoft Word and possesses intermediate general computer skills.

Position Requirements:

• Must have 20 or more hours of professional development training yearly
• Clearance of Background Check
• TB Screening and Physical Exam
• Current Driver’s License and Auto Insurance