Infant / Toddler CDA Specialist

CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITIES INC•Danbury, CT

About The Position

CDA Specialists work under the direction of an assigned Lead Teacher. The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years). Summary: The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years). This position serves as the assistant in a classroom of 14 to 20 Head Start /Preschool children and/or 7-8 Infant/Toddler children. This position is chiefly responsible to aid in the core functions of the Head Start program and performs other tasks as needed. Unit: Early Learning Immediate Supervisor: Education Services Professional Classification: Standard / Full Time (1.0 FTE) or Part-Time (Hourly) Status: Non-Exempt Directly Supervises: None

Requirements

Minimum High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or a commitment to obtain a CDA within 1 year of employment is required (paid by the employer) is required.
Entry level position; previous babysitting or childcare experience is preferred.
Basic computer experience is required (i.e. email, word processing, internet navigation).
Recent documentation free of communicable diseases; and
Recent fit for duty examination.
Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Early Childhood Education Credits are preferred; and/or Associate and/or Bachelor degrees are preferred.
Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants with multiple language capabilities (English, Spanish, and/or Portuguese) are preferred.
Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages, preferred.
Preferred to posses a valid Driver’s license and have minimum automobile insurance coverage legally required by the state of Connecticut.

Responsibilities

Works under the supervision of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher to enforce learning for individual students or small groups of students.
Administers, and records achievement and diagnostic tests under the direction of the teacher or assistant teachers for individual students or groups of students.
Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on an understanding of individual students, their needs, interests and abilities.
Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the handling, operation and care of equipment, including media, and instructional materials.
Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the supervision of students during emergency drills, assembles, play periods, field trips and in other non-classroom activities.
Assists the teacher or assistant teacher with non-instructional duties such as snack, lunch, toilet and clothing routines.
Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in drill work, large group reading or storytelling.
Alerts the regular teacher or assistant teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student.
Performs clerical duties as assigned by the teacher or assistant teacher, as needed.
Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher.
Participates in professional development training programs, as assigned.
Performs related duties as appropriate for the position.