Early Childhood Education Teacher's Aide

Summary: The ECE Teacher Aide supports the Lead Teacher in implementing developmentally appropriate early learning practices, with a focus on emergent literacy and language development in an early childhood classroom. The role also assists in fostering a family literacy environment that empowers parents as their first teacher.

Essential Duties: Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following. The Early Childhood Teacher Aide is responsible for:

• Assisting the Lead Teacher in implementing daily activities in a multi-age family literacy classroom.
• Promoting emergent literacy through play-based activities, reading, music, and language-rich interactions.
• Supporting children's learning via developmentally appropriate practices.
• Assisting during Interactive Literacy Activity (ILA) sessions involving parents and children.
• Helping children develop positive health habits, manners, and appropriate social relationships.
• Supporting ECE teachers in empowering parents to serve as both teachers and learners for their children.
• Encouraging language-rich interactions within families.
• Assisting families in creating text-rich home environments.
• Helping parents understand their own developmental needs and those of their children.
• Ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of all children at all times.
• Supervising the general welfare and safety of children continuously.
• Assisting with lunch, snacks, self-help skills, transitions, and daily classroom routines.
• Supporting early childhood assessments through daily observations and documentation of developmental progress.
• Performing light housekeeping duties.
• Maintaining classroom equipment, materials, and supplies to ensure a safe and organized environment.
• Pursuing professional growth by attending required trainings and workshops.
• Attending all assigned program staff meetings.
• Adhering to and reinforcing the program's philosophy, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrating knowledge of and compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Keystone STARS guidelines.
• Collaborating cooperatively with all program staff.
• Performing other tasks as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to execute each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong communication skills, including active listening, clear written expression, and effective verbal communication.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to identify alternative solutions and resolve issues effectively.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and select the most appropriate course.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to operate effectively within established systems and work independently to complete tasks.
• Innovative mindset, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing creative solutions to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
• Commitment to confidentiality, with a clear understanding of the importance of protecting sensitive information and restricting its dissemination.
• Effective time management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and complete assignments within established deadlines.
• Proficient computer skills, including data entry into databases, spreadsheet manipulation, and word processing functions (e.g., creating, formatting, editing, printing, saving, and retrieving documents).
• Knowledge of conflict resolution principles, including recognition of different conflict styles and stages, as well as effective strategies for de-escalating and resolving disputes.
  
  

Intellectual Demands The intellectual demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position requires frequent problem-solving, effective written and verbal communication, and strong interpersonal skills to interact with children, parents, and colleagues. The role involves sustained concentration amid frequent interruptions, regular organization of activities and materials, and occasional creativity in developing educational approaches. Decision-making occurs regularly in managing classroom dynamics and responding to children's needs. Minimal involvement is required in money handling or complex calculations.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The employee must frequently stand and walk for extended periods while supervising and engaging with children in classroom and playground settings. Frequent talking, hearing, and active listening are required for communication and child monitoring. The position demands frequent use of hands to handle or feel objects, such as educational materials, toys, and art supplies, as well as frequent reaching with hands and arms. Occasional sitting, climbing, or balancing may be needed (e.g., accessing storage or assisting children). Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling is required for activities at children's level or during play. Minimal tasting or smelling is involved.

Lifting and Carrying The employee must frequently lift, carry, or move children and classroom materials, typically up to 25 pounds (e.g., assisting children during transitions, carrying supplies, or moving furniture for activities). Occasional lifting to 50 pounds may be required in specific situations. Lifting over 50 pounds is not required.

Additional Physical Requirements

• Mobility: Ability to move frequently around the classroom, playground, and facility to supervise children and facilitate activities.
• Endurance: Capability to stand, walk, and engage actively with children for extended periods.
• Strength and Dexterity: Occasional lifting or moving of children and materials (generally not exceeding 25 pounds); fine motor skills for handling educational tools, assisting with crafts, and performing hands-on activities.
  
  

Vision Requirements

• Near Vision: Essential for reading books, preparing materials, and closely monitoring children's activities.
• Far Vision: Required for supervising children from a distance, particularly during outdoor play.
• Color Vision: Important for distinguishing colors in educational materials, art projects, and activities.
  
  

Environmental and Noise Conditions The work environment involves no significant exposure to hazards. The position requires tolerance for varying noise levels typical of a childcare setting (e.g., during playtime or group activities) and the ability to communicate effectively verbally with children, parents, and staff in such environments.

All applicants will be required to take and pass a drug screen prior to hiring.