Child Care Assistant

Conejo Valley Unified School District; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Conejo Valley Unified School District in Thousand Oaks seeks a part-time Child Care Assistant to support children in a school-term program. You will help plan activities, supervise play, and assist with snack prep under supervision.

The role emphasizes safety, development, and learning with shifts 2:00–5:30 pm or 2:30–6:00 pm; minimum day 1:30–6:00 pm. Six months' experience with children preferred; HS diploma or equivalent required; associate degree desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience in child care or related settings is preferred.
• Knowledge of early childhood education concepts and safety standards.
• Ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in care, supervision and learning activities for children.
• Help implement lesson plans and maintain classroom environment.
• Monitor safety and conduct basic recordkeeping and communication with parents.

Skills

Child care

Lesson planning

Classroom safety

Communication

Observation

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma

Six college units

Associates degree desirable

Job description

ASSIGNMENT TYPE: All positions are 3.5 hour/day - School-Term (209 days/year). TYPICAL WORK SHIFTS: 2:00 - 5:30 pm or 2:30 - 6:00 pm. and on Minimum Day Schedule 1:30 - 6:00 pm. Substitute positions (on-call) are also available. The Eligibility List will be valid for 6 months.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

1. Training and Experience Evaluation - Pass/Fail

Applications will be screened for best qualified applicants to compete in the competitive examination process.

For those passing the Training and Experience Evaluation:

2. General Fitness Exam

The General Fitness Exam will consist of an on-line multiple choice examination assessing fundamental knowledge for the position.

Applicants must receive a passing score on the General Fitness examination to be placed on the eligibility list. The top 3 ranks (scores) on the eligibility list are eligible for the hiring interview for each vacancy in this classification within the life of the list.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist in the care, supervision and learning activities of children enrolled in a designated child care center or program; assist with planning and implementing a variety of activities, which promote child's cognitive, linguistic, physical, social-emotional, and self expressive learning and development in a safe and well supervised manner; carries out program goals and policies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN RELATED CLASSES

Child Care Assistant is an entry-level class in the classification series; incumbents hold primary responsibility for providing child care services within program guidelines, with limited responsibility for decision making regarding program planning. Child Care Assistant is distinguished from a Child Care Leader in that the latter is assigned responsibility for planning and coordinating child care program activities at an assigned school site, and providing work direction and guidance to incumbents in a Child Care Assistant classification.

Positions in this classification do not provide instructional support in a K-12 classroom and do not fall under the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Work collaboratively with center staff to develop written lesson plans and objectives for the purpose of design, planning and implementation of programs for preschool and elementary age children that utilize developmentally appropriate curriculum which focuses children's attention on a particular concept or topic, offer a balance of staff and child guided activities, include interactive small and large group experiences and opportunities for sustained high-level play; school age programs will include homework assistance as part of the daily schedule.

Guide children in the appropriate use of supplies, materials and equipment; assist in monitoring the use of materials, supplies and equipment and maintain inventory controls.

In collaboration with Child Care Leader and assigned supervisor, design, implement and maintain site programming and classroom environment utilizing ECERS and SACERS guidelines.

Assist Child Care Leaders with gathering anecdotal observations, student portfolios, and other record keeping, for the purpose of driving instruction by utilizing assessment tools to monitor children's progress toward program's desired goals.

Perform operational activities incidental to the operation of the program, such as monitoring authorization of persons to sign-in and out program participants, shopping for snacks and classroom materials, preparation of snacks and clean up, and general housekeeping activities, including tuition payments, ordering supplies, and basic record keeping.

Provide information and respond to inquiries from parents participating in the program and the public by interpreting policies and procedures with regard to program operation.

Assist in ensuring a safe and healthy classroom environment to achieve optimal learning and development.

Attend staff meetings, parent meetings, and orientation and in-services trainings.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Six (6) months of experience working with children of school age in paid or volunteer capacity in organizational setting and/or verified baby-sitting experience.

Preferred not Required: High School diploma or an equivalent, and at minimum an equivalent to six (6) college-level semester units in social sciences or a closely related field, including psychology, child development, early childhood education, sociology, or social welfare, (2) Associate's Degree in Psychology, Early Childhood Education/Child Development is desirable.

Note: Applicants will be screened in the order of preferred qualifications, followed by minimum qualifications until sufficient applicants are admitted into the examination to meet expected vacancy needs.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

• Theory and practice of early childhood and/or school-age education
• Organization and operation of child care and education programs
• Program evaluation methods and assessment tools
• Basic elements of team teaching
• Principles of classroom health and safety
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Recordkeeping practices and procedures

Ability to:

• Learn and apply rules and regulations involved in assigned program functions
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Set appropriate boundaries with children and adults utilizing appropriate conflict resolution skills and proactive communication, following guidelines established in the Child Care Parent Policy Handbook.
• Comprehend and follow directions given verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate mental acuity sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Apply principles of creativity and flexibility in executing program functions
• Establish and maintain a safe and healthful environment
• Establish and maintain basic filing systems for program required recordkeeping
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with children and parents, program staff and the public.