Classroom Assistant

Family Development Services; Noblesville (IN); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Development Services seeks a Program Aide to support a Head Start classroom in Noblesville, IN. The role focuses on children aged 3 to 4, working with one other teacher to maintain a productive learning environment with a specified class ratio. The position is called as needed across county locations.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in ECE or equivalent with coursework, 3–5 years of supervisory preschool experience, and CPR/First Aid. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent degree with 36 Credit Hours in ECE coursework is preferred.
• OR a bachelor’s degree with 15 credit hours in ECE with related content.
• 3–5 years’ experience supervising/managing center-based preschool/infant toddler center.
• CPR/First Aid certification required.
• Travel locally up to 10% of the time for meetings and functions.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in delivering Head Start curriculum and activities.
• Establish a positive climate and supervise children to ensure safety and learning.
• Support health, safety, and hygiene practices in the classroom.
• Collaborate with families and document communication and observations.
• Assist with meal service, routines, and record-keeping.
• Provide coverage and support in the absence of the Preschool Teacher.

Skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Observation skills

MS Office literacy

Education

ECE degree with 36+ credit hours

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Hamilton County HS-EHS - Noblesville, IN 46062, Position Type: Full Time, Job Shift: Day, 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:

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-instructional 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 classroom

Meeting 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 Expectations
• Complete all reports associated with the children's health and needs in a timely manner and communicate with the supervisor
• Maintain 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 initiative

Professional 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.