Infant Toddler Teacher Assistant

CPCD•Colorado Springs, CO

7d•$18 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

This position is set to begin on August 17th and is scheduled for 40 hours a week. The Infant Toddler Teacher Assistant will assist the teacher in establishing, planning, and implementing safe, healthy, high-quality learning experiences and environments that advance the development of the whole child in partnership with families. This role complies with all CPCD policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements, and the Colorado Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care and Education Services. The assistant will implement a balance of group and individualized experiences to promote the development of school readiness skills as defined by CPCD’s School Readiness Action Plan. CPCD is committed to the comprehensive early childhood development model, which is at the basis of its successful Head Start and Early Head Start programs. CPCD serves just under 1,200 prenatal through five-year-old at-risk, low-income and special needs children and their families, operating classrooms in six school districts all throughout El Paso County.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II (PDIS) required. Candidates who do not currently hold the required credential must be willing to obtain it within two (2) years of hire.
Must obtain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certification within 90-days of employment and maintain as required.
Must be able to lift/carry/manipulate up to 40 pounds.
Must have access to reliable transportation to perform functions of the job including being able to go to another location during the work day if necessary.
Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination, TB test, drug test (including marijuana), and background check in accordance with the Office of Head Start Performance Standards and Childcare Licensing. (Physical examination and TB test thereafter as required).
Must have access to reliable transportation and if using a personal vehicle must maintain minimum liability insurance as determined by the State of Colorado.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of successful work experience with children birth to age three and/or to age five.
Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Support Classroom Teachers: Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities that promote the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of infants and toddlers. Provide support in setting up the learning environment, including preparing materials, organizing the classroom, and maintaining a clean and safe space. Collaborate with the lead teacher to assess each child’s progress and assist in adjusting learning strategies to meet individual needs.
Supervision and Safety: Ensure the safety and well-being of all children, maintaining constant supervision during classroom activities, outdoor play and transitions. Maintain constant supervision, implementing safety policies and procedures, and conducting regular safety checks to ensure a hazard-free environment. Respond promptly to the needs of children, including diapering, assisting with toilet training, and supporting feeding routines.
Diapering and Hygiene Care: Perform regular diaper changes for infants and toddlers while adhering to health and safety guidelines. Follow proper hygiene protocols for diapering, including the cleaning and sanitizing of changing areas. Assist children with toileting needs and promote healthy hygiene habits such as handwashing.
Engage in Child-Centered Activities: Interact with children at their level, engaging in activities that support their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Use developmentally appropriate language and activities to promote learning and encourage curiosity. Facilitate positive interactions between children, guiding them in sharing, taking turns, and problem-solving.
Promote Positive Relationships: Foster a warm and nurturing environment by developing strong relationships with the children, promoting their sense of security and trust. Build supportive partnerships with families by providing regular updates on their child's progress and care.
Assist in Classroom Management: Support positive behavior management strategies in line with classroom policies and routines. Assist in maintaining classroom order, managing transitions between activities, and helping children adjust to routines.
Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open and effective communication with the lead teacher to ensure consistency in lesson plans, routines, and individual child attention. Update parents on their child's progress, daily activities, and any concerns as directed by the lead teacher, fostering a positive school-family partnership. Collaborate with other staff members to create a cohesive and supportive learning environment for the children.
Professional Development: Participate in regular professional development opportunities, staff meetings, and required training to improve skills and stay current with best practices in early childhood education. Demonstrate a commitment to learning and growing in the field of early childhood education by actively engaging in educational activities and training. Be open to feedback and seek opportunities for growth to enhance teaching skills and classroom contributions.
Documentation and Record-Keeping: Assist in maintaining accurate attendance records, incident reports, behavioral observations, and developmental progress reports for each child. Help in gathering documentation to showcase each child's progress throughout the school year.
Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality regarding all children, families, and staff by safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring it is shared only with authorized personnel. Adhere to organizational policies on privacy and data protection, ensuring that any discussions or records concerning children's progress, behavior, or family circumstances remain confidential. Ensure confidentiality is observed in all communications, including face-to-face, written, and electronic formats.
Health and Hygiene: Follow health and hygiene protocols, including proper handwashing, sanitizing toys and equipment, and keeping areas clean to reduce the spread of illness. Assist in promoting good hygiene habits in children, such as handwashing and personal care routines.
Continuing Education: CPR and First Aid Certifications are required throughout employment and need to be taken every two (2) years. Through the Colorado Shines PDIS, completes training in “Recognition and Reporting and Child Abuse and Neglect” and “Infant Safe Sleep Practices” every year; training in “Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma “every two (2) years; Training in “Medication Administration Training” and “Precautions in Transporting Children” every three (3) years.
Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned by the lead teacher or Child Development Supervisor to ensure the efficient operation of the classroom and support the needs of the children.

Benefits

Paid vacation time
Paid sick time
Paid holidays/Breaks
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Aflac supplemental insurance
Voluntary life insurance
Basic Life insurance
Long Term Disability insurance
AD&D insurance
401(k) program with traditional and Roth enrollment options
Profit-sharing after 1-year of employment
Tuition Assistance ($4,000 per year for Early Childhood Education Associates/Bachelor’s Degrees; $2,500 per year for other degrees related to employment at CPCD) after 60 days of employment
Employee Assistance Program (6 FREE sessions with a counselor or therapist per year)
Full well-being program
2 hours of paid time per month for wellness activities