Program Aide Preschool

UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER•Milwaukee, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position works as a part of a team to assist in activities in the areas of the classroom, kitchen, and bus, and/or to serve as a disabilities aide as needed. The position contains elements of job descriptions of positions with titles similar to classroom aide, bus monitor, janitor, and kitchen aide, and as a disability aide, providing support for children with disabilities. Works with typically developing children and/or children with special needs/ disabilities. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers/bus routes as deemed necessary for program operations. This position may receive content area technical support and training from the staff person responsible for center supervision, teacher, bus driver, staff person responsible for transportation, kitchen staff, and/or program managers/specialists/coordinators. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. CLASSROOM AIDE Assists classroom staff in all classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor activities included in lesson plans. Dress in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor activity and all-weather conditions and be prepared to go outdoors daily. Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served. Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and social skills. Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly. Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises (e.g., at Family Nights, copying newsletters, cutting out classroom materials, making phone calls, etc.). Serves as a temporary substitute in the periodic absence of the assistant teacher or teacher. JANITORIAL AIDE SERVICES Empties trash or garbage containers if needed before the custodian or janitor services. Sanitizes surfaces and picks up and puts away materials in the classroom or kitchen to maintain a safe and organized environment. Serves as a janitor in the absence of the regular custodian or janitor on a periodic basis. Does light yard work or snow removal. KITCHEN- AIDE Completes routine kitchen/dining room/food chores as assigned (e.g., dishwashing, portioning foods, taking and logging temperature of foods received from vendors, etc.) Prepares necessary food and serving items for service prior to or after use. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities. Participates in food service clean-up, inventory, and other food service tasks as requested. Substitutes for regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed. Assists with inventory maintenance of all necessary supplies, food, and equipment used for food services operations. Assists with the processing and storage of food and food-related items as they are delivered. Assists in carrying out a financially successful food service operation by helping to control food and labor costs. Assists with logging meals/snacks in the menu book following USDA/CACFP required documentation for food purchased, prepared, and served. Supports staff/parents in preparing and cleaning up after meals/snacks for meetings, planning sessions, and other special events as requested. Ensures that dishes are returned to the kitchen or food service vendor transport boxes for cleaning and preparation for the next meal. Notifies supervisor of any safety, health issues or concerns. Participates in ongoing training in food preparation and nutrition as requested. Follows the established system for cleaning to ensure that the kitchen and storage rooms are kept in a clean and sanitary manner. Report any kitchen equipment not in good working order to the supervisor to ensure the kitchen remains safe and hazard-free. Prepares food in a safe and sanitary manner. Responsible for complying with all local, state, and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation. DISABILITIES AIDE Works with assigned children with disabilities. Supports the work of the classroom staff and managers, specialists and/or mental health consultants in carrying out individual plans for children with special needs. With direction from professional staff, follows I EP/IFSP. EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB DUTIES--ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement. Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor. Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities. Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations. Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination. Positively promotes Head Start in the community. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. Becomes thoroughly familiar with UCC Head Start Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures, UCC Head Start Operations Manual, and all other UCC HS handbooks, manuals, and resources, and adheres to them. Comply with all Health and Safety policies, including ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under my care

Requirements

The minimum requirement is that the individual be 18 years of age.
This is an entry-level position requiring no previous education or experience unless there is a local or state regulation that requires a high school diploma or G.E.D.
Acceptable tuberculosis screening results and an initial health exam are required post-job offer and prior to employment.
Ensure compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards, including child safety, documentation, supervision, and classroom quality standards.
Adhere to all State Licensing regulations (DPI and DCF), including mandated ratios, health and safety protocols, and staff training requirements.
Support and uphold Young Star quality standards by implementing developmentally appropriate practices, continuous quality improvement, and family engagement.
Maintain program quality in accordance with the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) criteria, including curriculum implementation, assessments, and teacher-child interactions.
Follow the guidelines and expectations outlined in the Early Learning Staff Handbook, including attendance, communication, professional conduct, and daily responsibilities.
Comply with all UCC Personnel Policies, including confidentiality, workplace expectations, and team collaboration.
Participate in required professional development and training hours to meet federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
Ensure active supervision of children at all times, as required by Head Start, licensing, United Community, and NAC guidelines.
Accurately complete and submit required documentation (e.g., lesson plans, child observations, incident reports) in a timely manner.
Demonstrate cultural competency and uphold program values of equity, inclusion, and respect in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
Check and respond to emails to ensure timely communication with supervisors, team members, and families, in alignment with agency expectations and professional responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

A high school diploma or G.E.D. is preferred.
Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Responsibilities

Assists classroom staff in all classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor activities included in lesson plans.
Dress in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor activity and all-weather conditions and be prepared to go outdoors daily.
Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served.
Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and social skills.
Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.
Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises (e.g., at Family Nights, copying newsletters, cutting out classroom materials, making phone calls, etc.).
Serves as a temporary substitute in the periodic absence of the assistant teacher or teacher.
Empties trash or garbage containers if needed before the custodian or janitor services.
Sanitizes surfaces and picks up and puts away materials in the classroom or kitchen to maintain a safe and organized environment.
Serves as a janitor in the absence of the regular custodian or janitor on a periodic basis.
Does light yard work or snow removal.
Completes routine kitchen/dining room/food chores as assigned (e.g., dishwashing, portioning foods, taking and logging temperature of foods received from vendors, etc.)
Prepares necessary food and serving items for service prior to or after use. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities.
Participates in food service clean-up, inventory, and other food service tasks as requested.
Substitutes for regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed.
Assists with inventory maintenance of all necessary supplies, food, and equipment used for food services operations.
Assists with the processing and storage of food and food-related items as they are delivered.
Assists in carrying out a financially successful food service operation by helping to control food and labor costs.
Assists with logging meals/snacks in the menu book following USDA/CACFP required documentation for food purchased, prepared, and served.
Supports staff/parents in preparing and cleaning up after meals/snacks for meetings, planning sessions, and other special events as requested.
Ensures that dishes are returned to the kitchen or food service vendor transport boxes for cleaning and preparation for the next meal.
Notifies supervisor of any safety, health issues or concerns.
Participates in ongoing training in food preparation and nutrition as requested.
Follows the established system for cleaning to ensure that the kitchen and storage rooms are kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
Report any kitchen equipment not in good working order to the supervisor to ensure the kitchen remains safe and hazard-free.
Prepares food in a safe and sanitary manner.
Responsible for complying with all local, state, and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation.
Works with assigned children with disabilities.
Supports the work of the classroom staff and managers, specialists and/or mental health consultants in carrying out individual plans for children with special needs.
With direction from professional staff, follows I EP/IFSP.
Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.
Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.
Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
Positively promotes Head Start in the community.
Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Becomes thoroughly familiar with UCC Head Start Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures, UCC Head Start Operations Manual, and all other UCC HS handbooks, manuals, and resources, and adheres to them.
Comply with all Health and Safety policies, including ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under my care