POSITION SUMMARY

The Teacher Assistant assists the Lead Teacher in implementing a developmentally appropriate plan for a group of children ages newborn to three years old by providing quality early childhood experiences. The Teacher Assistant assists in creating and nurturing strong partnerships with families and ensuring that environment is consistent with best practice and at the highest level of quality, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, State Childcare Licensing Requirements, and Agency Policy. The Teacher Assistant will treat all individuals with dignity and respect, make necessary referrals for clients, and exemplify the South Central Community Action Program, Inc. (SCCAP) commitment to empowering people to reach their potential.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assists teacher in providing individual and group learning activities, based on infants and toddlers’ skills, interests, and temperament.  Assists in all aspects in maintaining a well-balanced classroom.
• Plans and sets up environment with accessible age-appropriate materials, equipment, and activities designed to stimulate in the areas of cognition, language, physical, sensory, and social and emotional development.
• Tend to infants and toddlers’ personal hygiene needs, remaining especially attentive to them during routines such as diaper changing, cleaning, feeding, and changing soiled or wet clothes.
• Assists with activities and encourages positive parent-child interactions.
• Visually observes and supervises children’s activities, moving quickly to prevent dangerous situations.
• Interacts and provides feedback to supervisors, component coordinators and appropriate staff.
• Attends various training sessions, meetings, parent activities, seminars, and workshops.
• Provides guidance to substitute teachers; provides examples and directions to classroom volunteers.
• Participates in and supports at least four events annually hosted or sponsored by SCCAP: including parent events, parent committee, open houses, and community fairs.
• Actively participates in securing in-kind contributions from families, professionals, and community members.
• Engages parents in volunteering, community service, and other ways of contributing to program activities and services.
• Conducts and documents bi-weekly anecdotes, observations, and assessments of infants and toddlers regularly.
• Makes decisions and acts based on family support principles, theories, practices, and code of ethics.
• Will not leave children unattended or unsupervised in accordance with SCCAP policies and procedures.
• Ensures reporting of any and all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, as required by law.
• Prepares attendance records, first aid/injury reports, food service records, meal participation records, family contact reports, memos, correspondence and other job related documents.
• Comply with local, state and federal policies, operating procedures, and requirements.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must have an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development associate (CDA) credential for Infant and Toddler Caregivers or equivalent credentials.
• Skilled in the use of computers for email, creation, and manipulation of databases, and Microsoft Office.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Must be able to work at various sites under different supervisors.
• Must ensure efficient operations and present a professional image in conduct, attitude, and attire.
• Must be philosophically compatible with the mission of SCCAP.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally to attend to daily work demands, meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Childcare Requirements

• Free from Child Abuse and Neglect
• Annual TB test
• Pre-employment drug test & physical examination certification

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

Ability to use departmental equipment, tools, and materials.

Ability to exert physical effort in light to moderate work involving lifting (up to 50 pounds), carrying, pushing, and pulling; ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; ability to climb and balance, tasks require perception and discrimination. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Must be able to handle diverse work problems on a daily basis.  Requires ability to set priorities and work schedule yet adjust to changes necessitated by last minute assignments and deadline requests that may prove stressful. A consistent pleasant attitude is necessary with personal maturity as an important attribute.  Must relate and interact with people at all levels of the company and in a culturally diverse environment.