POSITION TITLE: Assistant Teacher
DEPARTMENT: Child Care Center
REPORTS TO: Manager, Child Care Center
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
He/she has primary responsibility for supervising and caring for children in compliance with regulations established by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and NAEYC’s recommendations for developmentally appropriate practices. In addition, he/she supports other staff in the implementation of the early childhood curriculum and child care program. Responsible for providing effective customer service to all internal and external customers.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
I. Learning Environment and Teaching Responsibilities
• To interact frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive, and encouraging manner that follows the guidelines of NAEYC.
• To assist in providing a safe, cheerful, and motivating environment for the children that allows for individual and group activities.
• To assist in maintaining a neat, clean, and orderly classroom, with stimulating learning centers and hands-on activities which follow the center curriculum.
• To assist in the supervision of children in all activities, inside and out.
• To be a primary caregiver to assigned children and families.
• To give input to planning classroom activities and Center events.
• To assist in the preparation, care, and stocking of classroom materials.
• To assist the children in their personal and self-care needs, toileting, diapering, feeding, washing, clothing, comforting, and preparing for rest.
• To know every child as an individual, observing and recording growth and development using the center-approved developmental screening and assessment system.
II. Parent Relationships
• To build relationships of trust through open and interactive communication.
• To know every child’s parent (s) by name, and to communicate positively with them.
• Make classroom information available to parents
• Participate in parent involvement/engagement activities.
• To tactfully and professionally address parent concerns in collaboration with the teacher.
III. Staff Communication
• To work cooperatively with other classroom staff, the Center Director, and the Administrative staff and consultants.
• To assist new and substitute staff assigned to the classroom.
• To guide the activities of student staff and field workers in the absence of the teacher.
• As appropriate, shares information about classroom or child-related issues with supervisor and other classroom staff.
IV. Professionalism
• To maintain confidentiality.
• To attend and participate in staff meetings and in-service programs
• To seek professional growth and development, and participate in a minimum of 15 hours of required ECE training per year.
• To maintain personal ASPIRE Professional Development listing.
• To receive and maintain Pediatric First Aid/CPR
• To be supportive of the Center and Center Administration.
• To maintain a positive work climate.
• To maintain a professional image.
• Assumes duties of lead teacher in the absence of the lead teacher.
V. General
• To follow daily schedules and routines.
• To follow Center policies, practices, and procedures.
• To assist with required record-keeping.
• To, at times, be responsible for a group of children without assistance.
• To follow all licensing regulations.
• To report for work on time and consistently.
• All other duties as assigned.
VI. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of NYS child care regulation.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and age-appropriate activities, which correspond with NAEYC guidelines.
• Effective and tactful oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents.
• Ability to use constructive methods for maintaining group control and individual behaviors.
• Ability to use sound judgment and tact.
• Strong team player.
• Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to the needs of the program).
• Creativity and patience.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. from the floor to a waist-high table, 20 – 30 times per day.
• Ability to reach a child 20 – 30 feet away within 30 seconds.
• Ability to crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time regularly.
• A strong sense of responsibility.
