Child Development Center Teacher Assistant

Indian River State College•Fort Pierce, FL

1d•$16

About The Position

Join our caring and collaborative team at Indian River State College’s Child Development Center! We're looking for a dedicated early childhood professional with a CDA (or equivalent) and experience working with young children. In this hands-on role, you'll support classroom activities, help implement developmentally-appropriate curriculum, and ensure a safe, nurturing environment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. If you're passionate about early learning and enjoy working with families, teachers, and little ones—apply today!

Requirements

Child Development Associate (CDA) or the equivalent with two (2) years of proven work experience in the child care industry
Proven work experience documenting an in-depth knowledge of Early Childhood Teacher Techniques and Positive Classroom Management Techniques
Sound judgment
Excellent problem-solving abilities
Ability to handle individual members of the public well in difficult situations
Excellent decision-making skills
Applies “safety first” principle to work with children
Dynamic self-starter capable of communicating professionally in listening, verbal, writing and metacommunication
Ability to work well as a team member with students, faculty, parents and the Child Development Center Director
Ability to implement developmentally-appropriate curriculum in a classroom setting
Knowledge and experience working with young children
Knowledge of safety issues with children between the ages of three (3) months through four (4) years
Knowledge of child illnesses
Skills in patience, time management, remaining calm under pressure, and ability to be flexible within classroom routines
Physical abilities and dexterity sufficient to stand for up to one hour; walk; sit; stoop; climb; crouch; kneel; crawl; and balance
High degree of flexibility and dexterity to include the ability to reach/stretch hands and arms
Ability to react and move quickly when toddlers are involved
Regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds
Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor, assess, and ensure toddler safety and care at all times
Visual abilities sufficient for observation of toddlers to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust vision focus
Ability to tolerate diaper smells as well as complete the diapering process
As this position requires employees to work a portion of the day outside in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees F to 95 degrees F, a tolerance to heat and cold is also required

Nice To Haves

One (1) year certificate in Child Development and Early Intervention is preferred
Associate’s Degree in related field is preferred

Responsibilities

Daily assistance in classroom and playground activities with infants, toddlers and preschool children
Ensure children are properly checked out of the CDC daily as well as properly close the facility
Consider and provide for the needs of the individual in relationship to their cultural and socioeconomic background, emotional or physical challenges and individual style and pace of learning
Respect the dignity and basic rights of each child
Follow all industry-practiced safety policies procedures with infants and toddler
Maintain a physical environment conducive to children’s growth and promote optimal program functioning
Work as a team with the lead-teacher or classroom specialist, implement assigned portion of the daily program of appropriate developmental experiences for the assigned classroom of young children
Help children learn to adapt to and cope with real-life situations; to develop appropriate habits in such activities as eating, dressing, napping and personal hygiene including assisting parents with toilet training, as needed
Assist with daily observations of the health of children, reporting conditions which require attention
Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops and other career development and professional activities
Complete continuing education hours per State requirements each year
Assist in the assurance that equipment and materials are accessible, appropriate and in good condition
Assist with routine classroom related and other maintenance duties as required
Assist with the composition of the monthly classroom article for the center newsletter
Assist with public relation and other duties as assigned
Maintain a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere for children and parents
Responsible to assure children are properly checked out to the correct family
Responsible to implement emergency plan if a family fails to pick up a child by 5:30 pm