SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Classroom Assistant takes direction from and supports the teaching staff in conducting classroom activities, maintaining classroom environment and supervising children. The Classroom Assistant may also assist in planning and record keeping as requested by the Teacher. This position also works to complete any other duties as assigned. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety & Sanitation

1. Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, care-giving environment, practices good personal hygiene and hand washing, and assures the well-being and safety of all of the children in that environment.
2. Utilizes disciplinary measures appropriately as outlined in the Behavior Guidance Policies and Procedures.
3. Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such incident to the person in charge.
4. Provides for the physical safety of each child from arrival time until departure time.
5. Assists in providing a healthy and safe classroom and playground environments throughout the day.
6. Assures that safety and sanitation policies and procedures are followed appropriately.
7. Assures that children are dressed appropriately for the weather and type of play in which they are engaged.
8. Assures that children are always supervised.
9. Administers First Aid and/or CPR (if trained) when necessary.

Communication

1. Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family.
2. Greets children and their parents warmly and with enthusiasm.
3. Maintains a cooperative attitude of working together with other staff, parents and volunteers in planning and implementing activities for the program/classroom.
4. Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice, and models this attitude and voice for parents and others working or volunteering in the program.

Schedules, Plans and Transitions

1. Implements transition activities to assist children with changes in the environment as determined by teacher.
2. Follow established routines to help children gain a sense of security.
3. Assists the teacher in creating intentional teaching opportunities in preparation for school readiness.

Individualizing

1. Assists the classroom staff in determining the needs of children and expedites services accordingly.
2. Assists the classroom staff in observations for individual children.
3. Assists in the planning and conducts activities with the child that creates a developmentally appropriate and varied range of opportunities to explore and experience which meet the individual needs of the child.

Parent Contact and Involvement

1. Assists in conducting parent conferences and home visits as requested.
2. Assist in providing ongoing contact with families via telephone calls, notes or visits, documenting activity on contact sheets.
3. Attends Parent Meetings as requested.