Floater

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Johnson City, TX

About The Position

The Floater supports classroom activities and helps maintain a safe, organized, developmentally appropriate learning environment for children. The role assists teachers with classroom transitions, learning activities, child observations, and coordination with education, family, mental health, and child development professionals. The Floater helps promote children’s physical, mental, social, emotional, and cognitive development, including supporting children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Employees must obtain the required CDA certificate within six months of employment. In mixed Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms, both CDAs are required; the CDA for the most prevalent age group must be obtained first, with an additional six months granted for the second CDA. Employees who do not pass on the first attempt may retake the course at their own expense within 60 days; failure to pursue a second attempt results in separation from employment. Previous early childcare experience is preferred, and Spanish bilingual ability is preferred. Employees must receive COVID and annual influenza vaccinations or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption, and new hires must provide proof. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is required; the CDA certificate must be obtained within six months of employment, subject to the stated provisions for mixed classrooms and retakes.
Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population's cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
Working knowledge of Innovative Network of Knowledge policies and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
COVID vaccination and annual influenza vaccination, or an approved medical or religious exemption; new hires must provide proof.
Authorization to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Previous early childcare experience.
Bilingual Spanish ability; written and verbal communication in English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Protect children's physical and mental health and safety, ensuring children are never left alone or unsupervised.
Assist in providing an organized learning environment that supports healthy development and skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five.
Assist with prescribed curricula and developmentally appropriate learning experiences across language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development; incorporate assessment data into individual and group planning.
Support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of children's developmental levels and progress.
Support parent and family engagement in children's development and program services, including conferences, home visits, and group activities.
Follow child-safety practices, including appropriate supervision, reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, and complying with standards of conduct.
Comply with positive adult-child interaction practices measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
Participate in staff development, required training, continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives.
Support classroom activities as directed by the teacher and assist with transitions to and from the classroom.
Support the use of age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and indoor and outdoor learning spaces; periodically change materials to reflect children's interests and development.
Communicate child observations to teachers, including potential barriers to development and school readiness.
Support teachers' coordination with education, family, mental health, and child development program staff to address identified needs.
Support school functions, scheduled meetings, team decision-making, and operations.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Respond to classroom support requests promptly and in compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and protocols.
Communicate regularly with teachers about students' behavior and progress.
Help maintain classrooms free of physical and environmental hazards.
Complete incident reporting within timelines established by program policy and protocol.