Child Care Aide

Tap Into Hope; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Tap Into Hope is seeking a Child Care Aide to support Early/Head Start educational programs. You will assist teachers, help with daily routines, meals, and transitions, and maintain a safe, welcoming classroom environment for infants to preschoolers.

Responsibilities include documenting observations, assisting with meals, and upholding TAP policies. Must obtain CDA/AA in time, and be able to work a full 8-hour shift between 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM. This is an entry-level role in Roanoke, VA.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of developmental characteristics of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
• Familiarity with age-appropriate activities and interactions.
• Ability to follow TAP Head Start policies and procedures and the manual.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementing the early education program per lesson plan.
• Create a welcoming center atmosphere for children and families.
• Assist arrival/departure, greet children, and communicate with parents.
• Support daily routines and transitions within Head Start.
• Assist in preparing and serving meals and snacks; promote family-style dining.
• Support naptime routines and assist with toileting/handwashing.
• Participate in classroom activities; model developmentally appropriate practices.
• Observe and supervise children; respond to needs promptly.
• Document observations for Teaching Strategies GOLD and meals in ChildPlus.
• Maintain classroom environment per TAP policies and safety standards.
• Attend trainings and maintain First Aid/CPR and MAT certification.
• Report suspected abuse/neglect to supervisors and CPS when needed.
• Adhere to all policies and participate in planning and program decisions.
• Work an 8-hour shift between 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM.

Skills

Developmental knowledge

CLASS Tool application

Interpersonal skills

Education

AA degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development

Preschool or Infant/Toddler CDA within 90 days

Job description

Every TAP employee shares in TAP's responsibility to Mobilize Community Resources in support of TAP's anti-poverty efforts.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Child Care Aide plays a crucial role in supporting the educational program of Early/Head Start by assisting classroom staff. Responsibilities include performing tasks assigned by the Lead Teacher/Center Supervisor to support Teachers I and II in delivering high-quality care for the children in their center.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

Supervised by: Lead Teacher, Teacher, Center Supervisor

Coordinates with: Center and Administrative staff

RESPONSIBILITIES AND/OR SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Assists with implementation of the educational program for children.
  • Creates a welcoming atmosphere in the center for children and their families.
  • Assists with arrival or departure of children, including greeting children and communicating with parents.
  • Supports daily routines in the classroom, including transitions to Head Start.
  • Aids in preparing and serving meals and snacks, promoting family-style dining and modeling appropriate mealtime behavior.
  • Helps with naptime routines, such as setting up of cribs/cots, assisting children with toileting and handwashing.
  • Participates in classroom activities as defined in the lesson plan.
  • Demonstrates developmentally appropriate practices in all interactions with children.
  • Observes and supervises children individually and as a group, responding promptly to their needs.
  • Assists in documenting observations for Teaching Strategies GOLD.
  • Assist in documenting meals in ChildPlus at the point of service.
• Assists with maintaining classroom environment in accordance with TAP Head Start Policies and Procedures and Virginia Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Programs.
  • Supports in setting up and cleaning the classroom daily.
  • Inspect the classroom for safety hazards and ensures equipment and materials are safe, clean, and well maintained at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Helps maintain a conducive environment for exploration and experiential learning with interest areas, accessible to children.
  • Provide immediate accident information to the supervisor and maintains open communication with all center staff.
  • Adheres to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and TAP Head Start Code of Conduct
• Attends meetings, workshops, or in-service training related to Head Start or Early Childhood Education as required.
• Maintains a current First Aid and CPR and MAT certification.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to supervisory staff and call Child Protective Services immediately.
• Adheres to all policies/procedures as outlined in the TAP Head Start Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Adheres to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the TAP Head Start Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to perform assigned duties, actively participating in program planning and decision-making.
• Creates a positive work environment by demonstrating flexibility and willingness to perform other job-related duties as assigned, and by participating appropriately in program planning and decisions, and in implementation of those plans.
• Must be able to work an 8 hour shift between the hours of 6:30AM and 6:00PM.
• Performs all other job related tasks upon request by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of developmental characteristics and needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
• Familiarity with appropriate activities and interactions for young children.
• Ability to understand and follow policies and procedures outlined in the TAP Head Start Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Proficiency in reading, write and communicate with staff, parents, and children.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate skills in the CLASS Tool to promote a positive, engaging, responsive, respected, child-centered, and safe environment. By nurturing meaningful interactions, educators will support children's holistic development.

TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

• Must obtain Preschool or Infant/Toddler CDA (Child Development Associate) within 90 days of employment.
• Must obtain AA degree with concentration in Early Childhood Education or Child Development within two (2) years of hire.
• At least one year of experience working with infants, toddlers, and/or pre-school children.
• At TAP, we focus on the Whole Family Approach. Whole Family is a family led strategy to achieve set goals. As an employee you may be required to attend Whole Family training and subject to data entry into the agency's software as part of the Whole Family approach and serving clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid VA operator's license and have daily access to car.
• TAP participates in the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program. Employees who operate a TAP vehicle or their personal vehicle to conduct TAP business may be subject to driver record monitoring through the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program.
• Must have CPR, First Aid certification, and MAT certification or be able to complete such certification within 6 months of employment.
• Physical activity of this position – climbing; ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like; balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, use of fingers for – picking, pinching and typing, grasping, feeling, hearing, talking, repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Physical requirements of this position – medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Visual acuity requirements – worker must be able to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
• Conditions subject to in this position – worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job, and general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties that may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

We only hire individuals legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace