Early Childhood Teacher Assistant/Float

Early Head Start - Teacher Assistant

General Description: A Teacher Assistant works as part of a team in developing activities for preschool children. Assists the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards. Works with families to promote parent involvement in the program. May perform additional duties based on program needs and areas of developing expertise. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

1. Participates in pre-service training.

2. Implements approved curricula in the classroom.

3. Performs the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans.

4. With the teacher, guide and facilitate activities of the children, including: daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.

5. Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.

6. Write weekly observations per assessment procedure.

7. Use parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.

8. Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.

9. If needed, serves as a bus monitor in the transportation of children and engages children in song and other developmentally appropriate activities during ride.

10. Guide children's acquisition of social skills.

11. Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested.

12. Assist in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment.

13. Assists teacher in ensuring that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.

14. Assists in quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS scores greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.

15. Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.

16. Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Assistant Success Rubric.

17. Assists teacher in maintaining a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.

18. Assists teacher in conducting and using home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;

19. Assist in conducting the daily health and environment check list.

20. Assists in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed.

21. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

22. Assists the teacher in the completion of required reports.

23. Completes timely and accurate time sheets.

24. Distributes newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor.

25. Attends all training, workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

26. Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.

27. Performs other duties, as may be required.

Other Functions:
Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, staff assigned may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

• Pre-hire health physical examination and TB test (repeated every two years of employment)
• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Physical ability to extend arms overhead, grasp with hands, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, walk, sit on floor

Education & Experience:

• Minimum: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; and A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool Endorsement; and A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Infant/Toddler Endorsement, or Florida Child Care Professional Certification (FCCPC) if applicable OR actively enrolled in a recognized degree or certification program.
• Preferred: Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Development or a related field with 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education
• Proof of successful completion of the 45 hours Florida Child Care Facility training and Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers within 12 months of hire date.
• Minimum one year experience in Early Childhood setting.

Background Screenings, Training & Certifications:

• Clean Local and Level II Background Checks (when conducted by agency upon hire) and maintained throughout employment
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire and successful completion of a Level II background screening.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Skills:

• Some knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Some knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices.
• Some knowledge of current educational techniques and practices.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication with children and conflict resolution.
• Ability to assist in the planning, organizing and conducting of childhood education programs.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor, or a bent or kneeled position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.

Other:
Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Team player with co-workers and center office staff.
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.

Reports to: Center Director
Hours: Full-Time (40 hours per wk), HS/EHS full year school program, following the approved Pinellas County Head Start Calendar. During non-Head Start programming time, this position is transitioned into Learning Empowered's regular preschool programs to assist teachers in the development and teaching of standard-based curriculum or summer session programs

FLS Status: Hourly/non-exempt

COMPENSATION: Rate will be based on qualifications & relevant experience.

ATTRACTIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Group Life Insurance Voluntary elections
• Health & Dependent FSA
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer match %
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays

All Learning Empowered employees are hired At-Will. No contract is implied or intended.
LEARNING EMPOWERED IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a first-in-the-nation enterprise system for background screening results of individuals required by law to undergo screening for employment in positions that provide services to vulnerable populations, as mandated by House Bill 531 (2025): https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.50 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• When are you available for an initial phone interview?

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Cert (CDA) or FLA equiv (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $19