Child Care Teacher's Assistant

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe•Port Angeles, WA

2d•$0 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Care Teacher’s Assistant aids Lead Teachers in providing a developmentally appropriate childcare program and environment for children from one month to 12 years of age. The assistant is expected to be nurturing, compassionate, and caring, and works at the Lower Elwha Klallam Child Care under the supervision of the Child Care Program Manager. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with the schedule determined by the supervisor. Salary is $19.73 after successful completion of a 90-day evaluation. The role supports children’s learning, development, health, safety, and daily care. It includes assisting with classroom activities and transitions; supporting children’s independence and behavior guidance; providing feeding, diapering, toileting, naptime, and other care; preparing and serving food; maintaining clean and sanitary spaces; documenting observations and records; communicating with parents; and accompanying children on field trips and transitions to other programs. The assistant must maintain confidentiality and comply with tribal policies, childcare requirements, and safe work practices. The position involves physically demanding work and active participation in children’s play and care.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED is required.
Must pass a Washington State Patrol criminal history background check before hiring.
Within 30 days of hire, must obtain Infant/Child/Adult CPR, First Aid, and a Food Handlers Permit.
Must have HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.
Must have a negative TB skin test.
Must meet STARS requirements and be listed in the STARS Training and Registry System, including 30 Basic STARS Hours within six months of hire and 10 continuing STARS hours annually.
Must maintain confidentiality of program information and comply with confidentiality requirements and best practices for sensitive information.
Must comply with tribal policies and procedures and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace.
Must have knowledge of basic early childhood programs.
Must be able to organize and coordinate workload and complete assignments.
Must be able to follow instructions, guidelines, prescribed routines, and practices, including directions from a supervisor.
Must communicate orally and clearly with the public.
Must have a working telephone.
Must demonstrate teamwork, good personal hygiene and grooming, a positive attitude, safe work practices, punctuality, good attendance, and timely completion of duties.
Must be able and willing to lift and carry children, occasionally up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to work in varied positions and participate in active play with children, including squatting, bending, standing, walking, running, jumping, chasing, crawling, and climbing.
Must be able to sustain prolonged standing, sitting, and walking and remain focused and alert to tasks.
Hiring is subject to Indian Preference in accordance with P.L. 93-638.

Responsibilities

Assist Lead Teachers with directing learning activities and preparing materials.
Help supervisors and teachers become familiar with each child and develop appropriate goals.
Participate in individual and group activities, including story time, circle time, classroom stations, and play dough activities.
Support child-directed play during choice time.
Assist with classroom transitions, including handwashing, toileting, diaper changing, meals and snacks, outdoor time, activity changes, and cleanup.
Provide nurturing care, including comforting, encouraging, feeding, diapering, holding, helping children nap, playing, reading, singing, and attending to children’s needs.
Encourage children to develop independence and self-help skills, assisting when needed.
Maintain children’s information confidentially.
Assist with children’s behavior guidance and management.
Help serve USDA-approved meals and snacks, follow appropriate serving sizes, sit with children during meals, and model healthy eating and good manners.
Be familiar with children’s dietary needs, allergies, and medical issues.
Help comfort children during naptime.
Follow individual sleeping and eating patterns and needs of infants and toddlers.
Assist with food preparation, table setting, serving, and cleaning and sanitizing tables, chairs, and floors.
Prepare bottles using formula or breast milk and assist children with sippy cups.
Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitized environment.
Assist with indoor and outdoor physical activities.
Assist children with handwashing, face washing, nose wiping, diapering, potty training, toileting, and changing clothes as needed.
Assist with transitions to other classrooms, Head Start, or other programs.
Assist during local and out-of-town field trips.
Write objective observations of children, prepare notes to parents, and maintain accurate documentation and records for center reporting.
Maintain safe indoor and outdoor play areas.
Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.
Keep classrooms, equipment, bathrooms, changing tables, sinks, counters, tables, chairs, floors, toys, and supplies clean and sanitary in accordance with applicable licensing requirements, the LECC Parent Handbook, and health policies.
Participate in staff training, meetings, and workshops.