Teacher Aide

Peninsula Family Service•San Mateo, CA

About The Position

The Teacher Aide provides a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive learning environment for children from 3 months to 5 years old, or for children up to 12 years old when supporting School Age. The role supports children’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development, family engagement, and compliance with state and federal regulations. The Teacher Aide supports daily curriculum and instruction, prepares materials and activities, observes and documents children’s learning, and promotes children’s independence and problem-solving. The role also maintains classroom health and safety, supports family relationships and engagement, collaborates with teaching staff and specialists, and participates in professional development and required training. The position reports to the Site Manager and is classified as non-exempt.

Requirements

At least 6–12 Early Childhood Education or Child Development units; three units in infant/toddler development are required when working with that age group.
Work toward an Associate Teacher Permit or higher, or be eligible to obtain one.
Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
Ability to pass background checks and tuberculosis tests and meet immunization requirements.
Fingerprint clearance before the first day of employment and maintenance of that clearance.
Verification of legal authorization to work in the United States, updated as required.
Ability to reach a child 25 feet away within 10 seconds or less.
Ability to hear a child calling for help from at least 50 feet away.
Ability to comprehend and react to dangerous situations involving children without hesitation.
Ability to crouch or bend to a child’s height and maintain eye contact, and reach children on the highest piece of play equipment.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to engage in floor-level or ground-level play with children for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children in a licensed childcare facility.
Bilingual skills in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Support implementation of daily activities and prepare materials for planned activities and lesson plans.
Support lesson plans and interactions for planned activities.
Document observations of children and their activities.
Support children’s self-help skills, independence, and problem-solving abilities.
Incorporate early STEM, literacy, and social-emotional learning strategies into the classroom.
Provide constant and active supervision of children and respond promptly to their needs, following individualized care routines when applicable.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom meeting licensing, California Department of Social Services, and Head Start health and safety standards.
Follow sanitation, diapering, toileting, and nutrition guidelines.
Monitor children’s daily health checks and document concerns.
Complete ongoing observations and maintain accurate, timely incident reports and child portfolios using Learning Genie.
Participate in data-driven planning for children and program outcomes.
Establish positive, respectful relationships with families and conduct parent-teacher conferences and at least two home visits per program year.
Share developmental progress, resources, and strategies with families to support learning at home and encourage family participation in classroom and program activities.
Collaborate with teaching staff, Family Advocacy and Community Engagement Coordinators, and specialists to support children’s Individualized Family Service Plans or other identified needs.
Participate in 21 hours of professional development and annual required training.
Maintain confidentiality and follow agency policies, licensing regulations, and Early Head Start performance standards.