Classroom Assistant

Family Development Services; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Family Development Services seeks an aid for a Head Start classroom serving 3- to 4-year-olds. The Program Aide will collaborate with another teacher to maintain a positive, safe learning environment across multiple locations.

This is an as-needed position with coverage varied by the county, requiring flexibility and reliable classroom presence. The role emphasizes behavior management, language development, and inclusive practices consistent with Head Start standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent with related coursework preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience supervising/managing center-based preschool/infant-toddler centers as required.
• CPR and First Aid certification may be required or pursued after hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head Start classroom operations and maintain safe, healthy learning environments.
• Support Preschool Teachers with instructional activities, circle time, read-alouds, and small-group activities.
• Ensure active supervision and positive behavior support within licensing requirements.
• Collect documentation and assessments for children weekly and maintain required records.
• Engage with families through home visits, conferences, and parent participation opportunities.

Skills

Behavior management

Language development support

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Verbal communication in English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

3-5 years supervising preschool centers

Job description

Job Summary:This position serves as an aid for a Head Start classroom with a direct focus on children 3 to 4 years of age. The Program Aide will work collaboratively with one other teacher to ensure the successful operation of a classroom with a total of (ratio) children. This position is \"as needed\" and will be called upon when coverage is needed in the classroom at various locations throughout the county.Essential Job Duties: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The job specifications listed below are representative of the education and experience as well as the knowledge, skill and/or ability (KSAs) required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.CLASS teacher-child interactions:• Provide emotional support through establishing a positive climate, being aware of and responsive to children, and encouraging child expression and autonomy.• Use provided strategies for behavior management, such as clear behavior expectations, being proactive and redirecting misbehavior.• Foster classroom productivity and maximize learning time, while engaging children with a variety of modalities and materials.• Provide instructional support through concept development, fostering children's analysis and reasoning, engaging in feedback loops, and modeling and supporting high-quality language.• Strive to maintain high quality in interactions with children by achieving a minimum scoring level of 6-Emotional Support, 6-Classroom Observations and a 3-lnstructional Support during CLASS observations informally and formally within 1 year of employment with FDS.Learning environment, Curriculum & Child Assessment:• Support Preschool Teachers in maintaining classroom arrangement, materials and displays are organized and conducive to children's learning and consistently meet expectations in the Education Department Standard Operating Procedures• Maintain a clean and safe environment that is conducive to keeping children and adults healthy by following all health and hygiene practices, including handwashing, sanitizing, and universal precautions• Maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and families.• Know and understand Family Development Services -Head Start School Readiness Goals and strive to help all children achieve them• Provide classroom experiences that are developmentally, linguistically, culturally and age-appropriate for the children served.• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment, including full supervision of children at all times, in accordance with Head Start and childcare licensing requirements.• Serve meals and snacks in the appropriate manner to children• Cultivate and maintain a positive working relationship with co-workers• Practice and maintain active supervision at all times for all children in your care and support of culture of keeping children safe• Support Preschool Teach in Implementing Family Development Services -Head Start chosen curriculum with fidelity by providing developmentally appropriate activities, opportunities and experiences in the classroom which align with the age and stage of each child. , being aware of the big ideas while also following all assigned guidance and resources.• Support preschool teachers in implementing small-group activities, read-aloud, circle time, and other curriculum components.• Implement lesson plan activities at least 1 day weekly• Provide children with a consistent classroom routine and facilitate all parts of the routine to support child learning.• Interact with children intentionally throughout the day to provide differentiated support.• Collect documentation of at least 5 children through ongoing observation, embedded and direct assessment activities weekly.• Support Preschool Teachers in the completion of quarterly assessment checkpoints, reliably, for each child.• Assume the responsibilities of the Preschool Teacher during the Preschool Teacher's absence from the classroomMeeting all children's needs:• Complete developmental and social-emotional screenings on all children within prescribed time frames.• Complete theme based Individualized Learning Plans to identify specific goals and implement developmentally appropriate strategies for each child in class.• Integrate Individual Education Plans {IEPs) or referral action plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs.Implement positive behavior strategies and PBS practices and Program Wide ExpectationsComplete all reports associated with the children's health and needs in a timely manner and communicate with the supervisorMaintain required documentation of activities, including child and family information, assessment data, volunteer logs, etc.Working with families:• Establish positive and productive relationships with families through building rapport and trust.• Schedule and complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year (workdays are 10a-7pm for these scheduled events).• Encourage and engage family members to serve as classroom volunteers.• Collaborate with family services staff to support families in implementing family life practices, extending learning into the home, and meeting expectations for attendance• Follow all guidance and expectations to support the parent curriculum• Maintain a positive rapport with families of Shine On, Families initiativeProfessional growth and collaboration:• Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment.• Collaborate with the assistant teacher, substitutes and other staff in the center.• Communicate pertinent information with family services, disabilities/mental health or• health/nutrition staff, as needed, to meet the needs of individual children and families.• Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required. Participate in case conferences as appropriate (workdays are 10a-7pm for these scheduled events).Performs other duties as assigned.Education and/or Experience:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent degree with 36 credit hours of ECE coursework is preferred, OR a bachelor’s degree with eighteen (15) credit hours in ECE with documented content relating to the needs, skills, development, or teaching methods of children age 0 to age 8 years of age. Other degrees considered with experience as Center Director in Preschool and/or Daycare.• 3-5 years’ experience supervising/managing center-based preschool/infant toddler center as Center Director required• Coaching experience preferred• Experience with collaborations and community partnerships (if applicable)• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.• Travel required locally or long-distance, up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:• Knowledge of the health and safety licensing requirements for schools and/or childcare centers.• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.• Ability to multitask, work independently, efficiently organize and communicate effectively with off-site supervisors• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications, other programmatic software and other basic data systems including internet navigation.• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.• Self-motivated and able to work independently.• Physical Requirements:• Ability to obtain certification in CPR and First Aid• Ability to understand and communicate proficiently verbally and in writing in English• Ability to exert a minimum of 50 lbs. of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects unassisted.• Ability to move quickly in the event of an emergency• Ability to sit most of the time with some bending and reaching.• Ability to stand, walk, and bend periodically.• Ability to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers – typing and/or writing.• Ability to work frequently at close visual range (i.e. preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading).• Exposure to Work Hazards: loud noises, work closely and personally with public to complete job tasks; exposure to various cleaning and sanitizing agents• Work Environment:• Work is generally performed in an office environment.• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices).• Standard office equipment generally used includes:• Telephone• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet• Printer/Photocopy Machine• Calculator• Fax Machine• May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.