Head Start Teacher Assistant

La Casa De Don Pedro • Newark, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc. (LCDP) was founded in 1972 by a group of local activists seeking to establish educational and charitable programs to meet the needs of Newark’s Puerto Rican community. Named in honor of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, LCDP has since evolved to become the largest Latinx-led organization in the state of New Jersey, serving 50,000 Newark and Essex County residents annually under three central pillars: Early Childhood (Prenatal, Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K); Healthy Homes (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization, Lead Remediation/Abatement); and Community Empowerment (Women & Family Center, Immigration, Workforce Readiness, Youth Enrichment, Housing & Home Ownership Support, and Community Organizing). For more information, please visit www.lacasadedonpedro.org and be sure to follow @lacasanwk on all social media platforms. La Casa de Don Pedro seeks an HS Teacher Assistant who supports the Lead Teacher in delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education services in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. This position helps maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment that promotes each child’s cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. The Teacher Assistant collaborates with staff and families to ensure consistent implementation of program policies, procedures and regulatory requirements. The Teacher Assistant must demonstrate a strong commitment to serving a diverse population of infants and toddlers, ensuring that each child is treated equitably and with consistent care, warmth, and respect in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. This role serves as a key member of the Early Childhood team and contributes to the overall effectiveness of La Casa de Don Pedro by providing attentive, personalized, and timely support.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or current enrollment in a CDA program.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Knowledge of early childhood development principles.
• Experience working with infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged children.
• Experience in a Head Start or early childhood education setting.
• Successful completion of all required background checks.
• Current Infant/Child/Adult First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain.
• Basic computer literacy for documentation and data entry.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.
• Warm, respectful interactions with children and families.
• Ability to follow directions, accept feedback, and work collaboratively.
• Flexibility, reliability, and professionalism.
• Ability to meet physical demands of working with young children.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, bend, sit on the floor, and actively engage with children.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to participate in routine classroom cleaning tasks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain active supervision of children at all times to ensure their health, safety, and well-being.
• Support the creation of a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Assist with daily sanitation of materials and adherence to health practices such as handwashing, tooth brushing, and toileting routines.
• Follow all program Standards of Conduct and confidentiality requirements.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and program curriculum.
• Engage children in individual, small-group, and whole-group learning experiences.
• Prepare lesson materials, gather supplies, and support daily classroom routines.
• Continue pre-planned classroom activities in the Lead Teacher’s absence.
• Assist with ongoing child assessment activities, including anecdotal notes, developmental screenings, and progress monitoring.
• Support accurate completion of attendance, USDA meal records, and other required documentation.
• Greet families daily and support positive, professional communication.
• Participate in home visits and parent-teacher conferences as required.
• Provide families with activities and strategies to support learning at home.
• Work collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and other staff to meet individual child needs.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with coworkers, families, and community partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and ongoing professional development.
• Model appropriate language, behavior, and attitudes for children and adults.
• Build and maintain a strong working knowledge of all program requirements, including Head Start Program Performance Standards, childcare licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and best practices.
• Maintain strict adherence to all Head Start Program Performance Standards and Office of Licensing requirements.
• Support the administration of office operations and ensure full compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and program requirements.
• Perform other duties as needed to support organizational/pillar operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED