ASSOCIATE TEACHER

Neighborhood House Association • Escondido, CA

1d • $25 - $26

About The Position

The Associate Teacher assists with instruction of children under the supervision of the Site Supervisor and, when appropriate, with guidance from a Teacher. The role supports children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in a safe and welcoming classroom and playground environment. The Associate Teacher follows the Agency’s core values, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct for Early Childhood Practitioners and Professional Practice, Head Start Performance Standards, and required Head Start competencies.

The position includes assisting with lesson planning, child screenings and assessment-based instruction, Individual Education Plans, family engagement, documentation, reporting, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and classroom and meal-time routines. Employees work under childcare conditions, where noise levels range from quiet office settings to louder classrooms or playgrounds.

Requirements

• Twelve units of early childhood education/child development, including an Associate Teacher Permit.
• Fifty days of experience, at least three hours per day, in an early childhood education setting within two years of applying for employment.
• Knowledge of appropriate child development theories and practices.
• Knowledge of administering basic first aid.
• Ability to create and maintain a safe learning environment for children and others.
• Ability to work effectively with parents, families, and childcare providers and to be sensitive to culturally and ethnically diverse groups.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; interpret technical instructions and work with abstract and concrete variables.
• Pediatric first aid and CPR certification must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements for employment in a childcare center, including fingerprints, TB requirements, physical examination, immunizations, and an Associate Teacher Permit or higher.
• For Early Head Start positions: at least three semester units related to infant and toddler care and at least six months of experience in a licensed infant/toddler care center.
• Must be able to stand, bend, or stoop for long periods; sit, stand, talk, or hear in person and by telephone; handle standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development (ECE/CD).

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing weekly lesson plans with developmentally appropriate preschool activities that reflect an integrated Head Start curriculum and comply with Performance Standards.
• Recruit families for the Program as required by Performance Standards.
• Help develop and maintain a safe, pleasing environment that supports children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
• Assist with child screenings using appropriate assessment tools and translate assessment results into lesson plans that meet each child’s needs.
• Assist in developing Individual Education Plans for children with special needs.
• Model and support daily hygiene routines, including tooth brushing, hand washing, bathroom use, and meal times.
• Help ensure classroom and outdoor playground safety.
• Provide emotional support and encourage children’s self-esteem.
• Maintain confidential written documentation on each child.
• Help prepare monthly reports, including attendance, excused absences, sign-in/out sheets, in-kind, CCFP meal counts, fluoride tracking, and health and safety checklists.
• Complete forms and records, including home visits, parent/teacher conferences, classroom meetings, training reports and agendas, Ouch Reports, field trip permission slips, and milestones.
• Assist in conducting home visits and parent/teacher conferences.
• Collaborate with the classroom Family Service Assistant to ensure family needs are met.
• Prepare food for children’s meals, wash dishes, and maintain cleanliness of the children’s bathroom and classroom.
• Participate in family support team meetings, document necessary information in children’s files, and attend mandated meetings and trainings.
• Help prepare reinforcement and supplementary materials to support parents’ home instruction.
• Participate in center-level case management meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 15 paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% match
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500
• Two personal days
• Group medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Agency-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Live Well Program
• Four paid annual bereavement days, with a total of five bereavement days per loss
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary life and AD&D, accident, short-term disability, and critical illness insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed