Teacher's Aide, Head Start

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL • Medway, MA

1d • $18 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

Provides a nurturing classroom environment by assisting with the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning experiences that engage the whole child. Supports children's readiness through social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language activities. Establishes and maintains a safe, healthy learning environment. Encourages family involvement and strengthens relationships between children, families, and the community. Head Start employees follow the public-school calendar and work between 25-35 hours per week.

Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Experience working with children a plus.
• Must be comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and able to effectively communicate with children, families, and co-workers.
• Recent physical exam determining good health and meeting all EEC requirements
• MMR Vaccination or Titer
• CPR Certification
• First Aid Certification

Nice To Haves

• EEC Teacher Certification Preferred.
• Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Priority given to past or present Head Start parents for positions for which they are qualified in the Head Start program.

Responsibilities

• Be knowledgeable about SMOC Child Care and Head Start philosophy and all regulations and performance standards (EEC, Head Start, NAEYC, and QRIS) applicable to the assigned classroom.
• Supports the classroom team in preparing and implementing a successful learning environment that supports and challenges each child's development.
• Participates in opportunities for staff growth and development.
• Communicates regularly with Teacher, Lead Teacher, and/or Supervisor and shares all pertinent information as quickly as possible.
• Assesses classroom needs for equipment, materials, and supplies and reports to the Lead Teacher, Teacher, and/or Supervisor.
• Maintains the space, equipment, materials, and supplies in a safe, clean, and orderly fashion.
• Maintains strict adherence to health and safety policies and procedures.
• Attends all required staff meetings, workshops, trainings, committee meetings, and parent functions.
• Contributes to a positive and supportive relationship with families.
• Attends & participates in engagement team meetings as requested.
• Mandated Reporter (51A) training is mandatory for all staff.
• Maintains accurate daily attendance records in both ChildPlus and required paper attendance forms, including sign-in/sign-out information, absence reasons, and attendance notes. Ensures all records are completed within established timelines and comply with Head Start, EEC, CACFP, and program requirements.
• Travels as needed between sites for coverage of classrooms.
• Along with the Lead Teacher and Teachers, responsible for providing positive and supportive relationships by maintaining contact with families by phone calls, conferences, home visits, arrivals & departures, and communicating family volunteer opportunities.
• Actively supervises children at all times.
• Maintains the classroom material needs daily.
• Supports the Lead Teacher and the Teacher in implementing the lesson plans and curriculum for all children daily.
• Maintains confidentiality of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensures compliance with program/department, agency, and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
• We do our very best to be consistent with classrooms and sites; however, the needs of the children and families may require us to make changes as needed to provide the best quality to our program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed