Aide, Classroom

CHILD DEVELOPMENT•Oxnard, CA

About The Position

Under the supervision of the assigned teacher, the Classroom Aide assists with implementing the Head Start and/or state preschool program in accordance with program policies and performance standards. The aide supports children’s daily activities and care, including toileting as needed, and provides developmentally appropriate, open-ended activities for all children, including children with disabilities, individually or in small groups as directed by the teacher. The aide assists with parent contacts, home visits, screening, record keeping, and ongoing assessment as needed. They help maintain a safe classroom, use appropriate preventive techniques with preschool children who have disabilities, and become familiar with the disabilities or impairments of enrolled children. The role also includes attending required training and meeting with the assigned teacher to discuss children’s progress and any questions or concerns. The aide contributes to the nutrition program by helping transport food onsite from the cafeteria to the meal area, setting tables, and eating center-prepared meals with the children. Other duties may be assigned. The position requires an Infant First Aid and CPR certificate, a job-pertinent pre-employment physical examination, a negative tuberculosis test, and a criminal record background check. Employment is conditional on satisfactory results; periodic physical examinations and TB clearances are required if hired. The employee is a mandated reporter.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
At least six completed units in early childhood education; coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better to receive credit.
Ability to speak and read English fluently.
Sensitivity to children with special needs, low-income families, and cultural differences.
Ability to relate effectively to children, staff, and parents, and to work with high-risk families.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Flexibility in geographic or time assignment and scheduling.
Ability to see at normal distance and hear normal conversations and sounds.
Physical ability to walk, bend, squat, run, sit on the floor, skip, hop, crawl with children, and climb stairs.
Ability to use hands and fingers to fill out required forms.
Ability to safely lift equipment or assist preschool children weighing up to 40 pounds on and off equipment.
Must hold an Infant First Aid and CPR certificate and renew it upon expiration.
Must complete a job-pertinent, pre-employment, agency-paid physical examination, negative tuberculosis test, and criminal record background check; employment is conditional on satisfactory results.
Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances are required if hired.
Must act as a mandated reporter.

Nice To Haves

Some experience working with preschool children.
Bilingual English/Spanish, English/Vietnamese, or English/Chinese.
Sign language interpreting is desirable.
Familiarity with the Head Start program, such as having been a past parent.

Responsibilities

Assist in implementing the Head Start and/or state preschool program in accordance with program policies and performance standards.
Assist children with toileting as needed.
Provide developmentally appropriate, open-ended activities for all children, including children with disabilities, one-to-one or in small groups as directed by the teacher.
Assist with parent contacts, home visits, screening, record keeping, and ongoing assessment for enrolled children as needed.
Remain alert to potentially hazardous activities involving children.
Use appropriate preventive techniques for preschool children who have disabilities and become familiar with their disabilities or impairments.
Attend all workshops, pre-service, in-service, and other required training.
Meet with the assigned classroom teacher to discuss individual children’s progress, questions, and concerns.
Assist with onsite transportation of food from the cafeteria to the meal area and with table setting.
Eat center-prepared meals with the children as part of the nutrition program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities.