Head Start Classroom Assistant & Family Engagement Ally

Bear River Head Start; North New Hyde Park (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Bear River Head Start seeks a Teacher Assistant to support high-quality, developmentally appropriate education for Head Start children in a safe, engaging environment.

You will assist in health/nutrition planning, family involvement, and maintaining classroom routines. You’ll collaborate with staff to promote social-emotional development, prepare weekly lesson plans, and help ensure CACFP compliance, while upholding confidentiality and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Must have attention to detail and be able to complete required paperwork.
• Understand new early childhood research and implement it in the classroom.
• Be aware of multi-intelligences in children.
• Ability to understand the economically disadvantaged and basic philosophy of Head Start.
• Ability to work productively under stress.
• Desire to help people find ways to succeed.
• Proactive attitude.
• Tenacity and stamina.
• Integrity and strong ethical principles.
• Good organizational skills.
• Demonstrate ability to enjoy working with families of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrate ability to be compassionate and patient while setting boundaries.
• Demonstrate ability to delegate and encourage leadership in others while facilitating teamwork.
• Demonstrate ability to be innovative and resourceful.
• Sense of humor.
• Must pass a background check.
• Strong Computer Skills.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Must be able to sit, kneel, and get up from floor and small chairs frequently.

Responsibilities

• Assist in establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy, learning environment.
• Assist in promoting health and nutrition through planned activities.
• Use the learning environment to create a secure, engaging space for play and learning.
• Support physical and intellectual development with developmentally appropriate activities.
• Communicate with children to support verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Encourage children to express themselves creatively through sounds, rhythm, space, and language.
• Support social and emotional development and positive behavior guidance.
• Maintain open, friendly relationships with families and encourage involvement.
• Ensure responsiveness to participant needs.
• Maintain professionalism.
• Assist with referrals and documentation of disabilities.
• Support decisions based on early childhood knowledge and best practices.
• Prepare weekly lesson plans and complete supervisor requests.
• Handle CACFP paperwork and documentation.
• Prepare, serve and clean up meals and snacks.
• Complete daily health and safety checklists.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Include parents and role models in Head Start activities and home visits.
• Actively recruit Head Start families for current and upcoming years.
• Arrive 30 minutes before class for prep.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Multi-intelligences awareness

Communication

Organizational skills

Patience

Problem solving

Education

Preschool CDA preferred

CPR/First Aid certification

Food Handler’s Permit

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Bear River Head Start seeks a Teacher Assistant to support high-quality, developmentally appropriate education for Head Start children in a safe, engaging environment.

You will assist in health/nutrition planning, family involvement, and maintaining classroom routines. You’ll collaborate with staff to promote social-emotional development, prepare weekly lesson plans, and help ensure CACFP compliance, while upholding confidentiality and professionalism.