Head Start Classroom Aide - Preschool Classroom

Compensation: $19.13 per hour

Classroom: Preschool (ages 3-5)

Status: 35 hours per week (benefits eligible), part-year position with an unpaid 9-week summer break

Location: SW Portland

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for a 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive. 

Our Head Start Program

Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes parents as primary teachers, a co-operative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, connection to community resources, and learning through child-led play. Our program is designed to meet the needs of and to provide school readiness skills to all eligible children, including those with special needs and disabilities, so our community’s children and families are stronger for life.  

About This Role

This position provides classroom support to children and the teaching team. The Classroom Aide collaborates with the teaching team to support students’ learning and healthy development, adhering to Oregon Childcare Division licensure requirements and Head Start Performance Standards, using effective Creative Curriculum, nurturing the well-being of children, and implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies, under the direction of the Head Teacher.  

The Classroom Aide models positive and appropriate interactions with children and other adults, fostering effective communication with individuals from diverse communities and cultures, including communicating effectively with those whose English language skills are limited. 

Responsibilities are generally categorized as follows: 

Classroom Support – 90%

• Supervise and engage with children.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness and assist with classroom set up.
• Maintain positive classroom environment and assist with lesson planning.
• Assist with general routine care of children and follow a consistent routine.
• Use meal and outdoor time as learning opportunities.
• Protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities as needed.

Family Engagement and Support – 5%

• Support family involvement in the classroom and support families as the first and primary teacher.
• Participate in family engagement events.

Other – 5%

• Attend weekly meetings with classroom team, monthly all staff meetings, and 1:1s with supervisor.
• Participate in required trainings.
• Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of common workspace areas.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• At time of hire, must be enrolled in the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry (CBR) and maintain active enrollment during employment.
• Obtain within 30 days of employment: Adult and Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification and Food Handlers Card (paid by the organization).
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and TB test prior to start date.
• Basic Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with children under the age of 5 in a formal early childhood setting.  

Benefits

Neighborhood House offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, including:  

• Generous PTO and 10 paid holidays
• Affordable health insurance with 95% of the cost paid by NH
• 403b retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance. Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling