Preschool Teacher Assistant

Youth & Family Services•Rapid City, SD

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is seeking a full-time Preschool Teacher Assistant for their Child Development Center in Rapid City, SD. This role reports to the Child Development Center Director and involves working Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, in a non-smoking environment. Depending on qualifications, candidates may also be considered for Preschool Teacher, Teacher Assistant, or Classroom Assistant positions. The position requires assisting the teacher in all aspects of classroom operation, creating and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment, and actively engaging children in learning and play. The role also involves establishing positive relationships with children and families, maintaining accurate records, supervising children, following discipline policies, maintaining confidentiality, assisting with grant activities, directing other staff, assisting with home visits and conferences, attending meetings and trainings, and providing transportation for children. Additional functions include promoting YFS programs, acting in accordance with YFS policies, assuming coordinator responsibilities in their absence, maintaining a clean and organized environment, executing emergency plans, and assisting with recruitment. The environmental functions include the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, varying work schedules, working in an office or classroom environment, carrying children, moving within various spaces, kneeling, bending, and potential exposure to hazardous living and health conditions of enrolled families.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required.
May require a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or equivalency.
Maintain current credentials and certifications.
Experience working with children.
Ability to communicate and cooperate with children, other staff, and parents effectively and tactfully.
Ability to work with people of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Maintain a working knowledge of the needs of the Family Child Care Providers and children and the ability to be responsive to those needs.
Punctuality, dependability and flexibility.
Must meet SD Child Care Licensing Regulations if required for position.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to carry children with both arms.
Ability to move within the classroom and playground and on the bus.
Ability to move from sitting or kneeling on floor to standing.
Ability to kneel and bend.

Nice To Haves

Current liability insurance and a valid driver's license desirable.

Responsibilities

Comply with and implement all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Maintain a working relationship with other classroom and/or support staff.
Assist teacher in all aspects of the classroom operation including carrying out lesson plans, field trips and daily activities.
Create, support, and maintain a healthy, safe, learning environment conducive to each child's intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and aesthetic development.
Actively assist in teaching, modeling and engaging children in play and learning in classroom.
Establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship with children and their families.
Maintain accurate records for each child, data entry, and completion of appropriate documents and referrals as needed in a timely manner.
Actively supervise and engage children at all times to ensure child safety.
Follow Youth & Family Services Discipline Policy and Behavior Management Guidelines.
Maintain confidentiality as it relates to information about children, families, and other staff members.
Assist in all assigned grant activities including, but not limited to, in-kind and United Way.
Direct other teacher assistants, substitutes, and volunteers to carry out daily operations.
Assist with home visits or conferences and staffings throughout the year when appropriate.
Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings as requested by supervisor.
Responsible for providing transportation to children as assigned.
Complete the required bus inspections and paperwork that is assigned.
Work with children and their families to support development toward school readiness.
Promote and support all YFS programs and services.
Act in accordance with purpose, philosophy, values, goals, policies, and procedures of YFS.
Assume Coordinator responsibilities in their absence if assigned.
Maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and organized environment for staff and families.
Learn and execute emergency preparedness plan and be responsive to emergencies that may arise.
Perform additional duties as requested by supervisor.
Assist in recruitment of children, families, and volunteers for program services.