Head Start Classroom Aide

Child Focus Inc•Cincinnati, OH

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Classroom Aide will assist in the Head Start program, supporting the learning environment and daily routines for children aged three to five. This role involves ensuring a safe and conducive learning space, assisting with mealtime activities, maintaining cleanliness, and potentially overseeing kitchen duties or bus monitoring depending on the assigned location. The aide will actively supervise children during various activities, encourage their development, and support their social-emotional growth. Collaboration with other staff and families is essential, as is participation in professional development. The position requires adherence to agency policies, state and federal regulations, and maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.
Must be physically and mentally able to carry out job duties.
Able to pass employment physical demonstrating ability to stoop, crawl, kneel, bend and to lift, carry and hold child of 40 to 50 pounds.
Must be able to stand for 30 minutes, walk and run up to 20 feet.
Ability to maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times.
Must be free and clear of all child abuse and neglect charges and have a satisfactory criminal records check in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
Possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and meet insurance coverage criteria OR have a reliable means of transportation to and from work.
Pass a pre-employment physical to include a drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Two years' classroom experience with children ages three to five preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in the set-up and maintenance of the learning environment, assisting with daily routines and schedule as needed.
Ensuring that the classroom remains safe and conducive to learning at all times.
Assists in keeping classroom storage, cabinets and desk area organized and free of clutter so as not to impede the learning environment.
Responsible for all mealtime activities of the group. Helps children serve themselves family-style and sits with children; preferably eats with them. Monitors children closely during meals.
Maintain cleaning schedule as needed for classroom and kitchen area.
Assists in accurate input of Attendance, CACFP Meal Count Record & Food/Non-Food Cost Records.
Depending on the location of the classroom, responsibilities may also include maintaining a clean, orderly kitchen, overseeing the food delivery and preparation, service and clean-up of meals and maintaining inventory of kitchen and paper supplies.
Based on center assignment, ride bus daily as the monitor and complete all monitor duties including paperwork, supervision of children and providing pedestrian and school bus safety training to children and parents.
Ensure a safe and supportive environment for children.
Actively supervise children during play, nap, meals, and field trips.
Follows all Authorized Release procedures, including checking ID’s.
Have a basic understanding of the focus of Kindergarten Readiness Activities (KRA) for school success.
Encouraging the exploration of interests and developmental social skills. Reads to children throughout the day.
Working cooperatively with other staff in the care and teaching of Preschoolers.
Follows schedules and routines ensuring physical activity, rest, and playtime.
Support children’s development in the area of self-help skills including toileting procedures as needed.
Interacting and engaging with children during play activities both indoors and on the playground.
Provide emotional support by establishing a positive climate, being aware of and responsive to children, and encouraging child expression and autonomy.
Use strategies for behavior management, such as clear behavior expectations, being proactive and redirecting misbehavior.
Modeling appropriate behaviors and mediating conflict between children using Conscious Discipline and positive behavior management techniques.
Being familiar with IFSP’s or Behavior Action Plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs to assist with implementation of plans.
Fully integrate dual language learners in all aspects of classroom schedule.
Establish positive and productive relationships with families through building rapport and trust.
Creates a welcoming environment for children and families by appropriately communicating with parents, guardians and coworkers in a respectful manner.
Maintains confidentiality related to children, parents and staff.
Work cooperatively and collaborate with the other staff in the center.
Participate in ongoing professional development and training requirements specific to the position.
All staff is responsible for the supervision of children in our program when working directly with children during scheduled hours of classroom operations or special events. Staff included as part of the ratio or who are working one-on-one with a child assumes primary responsibility for the supervision of children.