Pre-K Teacher Assistant- AL

ENRICHMENT SERVICES PROGRAM INCORPORATED • Phenix City, AL

13d • $13 - $13 • Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent works collaboratively in partnership with the classroom teacher for the establishment, maintenance and management of classroom activities. This role involves implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on observations and assessments of individual children and goals developed with parents/guardians. The position also requires maintaining a safe, healthy, and clean environment, supervising children at all times, and ensuring proper staff-to-child ratios. The assistant will also recruit volunteers, solicit in-kind contributions, attend required meetings and trainings, and serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families, and children.

Requirements

• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma; Current Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate Degree in ECE or equivalent credentials
• Minimum of one year work experience in a childcare setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and staff.
• Regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• Regularly required to stand, climb, balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to twenty five (25) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

• Interaction between Staff and Children
• Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families of Enrichment Services Program.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development.
• Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.
• Staff interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children.
• Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
• Staff respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety.
• Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.
• Staff communicates directly with each child at the child's level.
• Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines.
• Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
• Assist and be responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
• Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to NAEYC.
• Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.
• Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and daily schedules.
• Assist with recording daily observation in Teaching Strategies GOLD
• Assist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.
• Recruit volunteers and solicits in-kind contributions.
• Attend meetings, trainings and workshop as required.
• Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.
• Serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families and children.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.
• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
• Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.
• Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).
• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive.
• Encourage respect for classroom materials.
• Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
• Assist in arrangement of space into clearly defined, well organized activity areas.
• Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree