Head Start Floater

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Start Floater works under the supervision of the Center Director and may be assigned to perform duties in classroom assisting, nutrition, custodial, and clerical roles. The role involves managing classrooms to ensure all areas of Early Childhood Development Practices are met, encouraging children's initiative, problem-solving, exploration, experimentation, questioning, and learning by doing. In the kitchen, the Floater prepares food according to the Nutrition Coordinator/Consultant's plans, assists with family-style meal service, and modifies menus for special dietary needs. As a custodian, the Floater follows a regular cleaning schedule. The position requires knowledge of early childhood growth and development, Early Childhood Education, and best practices. The Floater must be able to communicate proficiently in English with children, families, staff, and community agencies, understand and follow instructions, perform mathematical computations, operate modern office equipment and Microsoft Office Suite, and be aware of family needs and effective communication strategies. The role also includes being a mandated reporter for suspected child abuse or neglect and passing a yearly physical exam and TB test. The Floater must be able to work in other positions and at other CCANO Head Start/Early Head Start centers when needed. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining a developmentally appropriate learning environment using the Frog Street Curriculum and Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, implementing lesson plans (or developing them for long-term substitutes), observing and documenting children's progress, ensuring developmentally appropriate and inclusive classroom activities, following the daily schedule, building positive relationships with families, and maintaining a safe, healthy, and sanitary classroom. Nutrition responsibilities include preparing and serving meals/snacks according to CACFP standards and special diets, ensuring proper food handling and storage, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Custodial responsibilities include performing routine cleaning duties and maintaining facilities in compliance with regulations.

Requirements

Knowledge of early childhood growth and development, as well as Early Childhood Education and best practices.
Ability to communicate proficiently in English with children, families, staff and community agencies and partners.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instruction and make mathematical computations and tabulations.
Ability to operate modern office equipment (computer, fax, scanner, copier).
Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and the internet.
Knowledge of special needs of families and aware of ways to effectively communicate and assist them.
Ability to be a mandated reporter for suspected child abuse or neglect.
Ability to pass a physical exam and TB (Tuberculosis test) yearly.
Ability to work in another position and at another CCANO Head Start/Early Head Start center when needed.
High School Diploma, CDA, or an equivalent to a CDA
Two years Early Childhood experience strongly preferred
Ability to work continuously toward an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Proven proficiency in verbal and written communication skills
All candidates for employment with CCANO must submit to a criminal records check as a condition of employment.
New employees will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to employment.
Compliance with the State of LA Child Protection Act and Archdiocese Policy on Abuse and Neglect, to provide for the safety and security of all clients served by CCANO programs.

Nice To Haves

Two years Early Childhood experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Manage the classroom in such a way so that all areas reflecting Early Childhood Development Practices are adequately met.
Encourage children to: initiate activities, solve problems, explore, experiment, question and learn by doing.
Prepare food as planned by the Nutrition Coordinator/Consultant and assist in the implementation of family style service of meals, as well as the modification of menus according to the special dietary needs of children.
Follow the regular cleaning schedule/duties.
Create and maintain a developmentally appropriate learning environment using the Frog Street Curriculum and Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.
Implement lesson plans developed by the permanent teacher (short-term substitutes) or develop lesson plans for individual, small group, and large group instruction, including IEP/IFSP goals (long-term substitutes).
Observe, document, and monitor children's progress through anecdotal notes, Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG), DRDP documentation, quarterly checkpoints, and parent conferences, as applicable.
Ensure classroom and playground activities are developmentally appropriate, inclusive of children with special needs, and culturally responsive.
Follow the daily classroom schedule, balancing child-initiated and teacher-directed activities.
Build positive relationships and communicate effectively with families during daily interactions.
Maintain a safe, healthy, and sanitary classroom by conducting daily health inspections, monitoring safety, completing accident reports, and following hygiene procedures.
Prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks in accordance with CACFP standards, approved menus, and prescribed special diets.
Ensure proper food preparation, storage, inventory management, and compliance with environmental health requirements.
Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen, equipment, food storage areas, and waste disposal.
Perform routine cleaning duties, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, and replenishing supplies.
Maintain clean and orderly facilities by removing trash and ensuring compliance with State Licensing Regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and agency policies and procedures.