Head Start Teacher Assistant

Redland Christian Migrant Association; Brooksville (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated individual to support classroom activities and enhance children's development. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with teachers and children, ensuring a nurturing environment that fosters learning and growth. Responsibilities include implementing lesson plans, guiding children's learning experiences, and maintaining a safe classroom. The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement options, making it an attractive opportunity for those passionate about early childhood education. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact in a supportive setting, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Employer paid health benefits

Sick and PTO

14 company paid holidays

Pet Insurance

Basic Life Insurance Policy

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required, CDA within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to work with children and establish effective relationships.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in providing developmentally appropriate activities.
• Maintain a safe and clean classroom and playground.

Skills

Lesson Planning

Child Development

Communication Skills

Classroom Management

Team Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Child Development Associate (CDA)

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Computer

Office Equipment

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for supporting the needs by assisting the teacher with the day-to-day operation and management of the classroom. Assisting with guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Please apply online at www.youthrivefl.org

Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

Full Time Position - Benefits Eligible: Teacher Break Pay, Sick, PTO, Employer paid health benefits, 8% non-matching retirement, 14 company paid holidays, Pet Insurance, Basic $30,000 Life Insurance Policy, and Long-Term Disability (LTD). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-3:30pm

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists teacher with providing developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children in the classroom, ensuring each child's individual needs are met. Implements lesson plans in collaboration with the teacher using established curricula ensuring that small group, large group, and individual experiences are provided.
2. Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in education, nutrition, health, dental, and mental health. Prepares children for screening and exam procedures such as vision, hearing, dental, speech, and developmental to encourage successful completion.
3. Assists teacher with ongoing observation and assessment on each child within the classroom utilizing required tracking. Daily observation will include anecdotal notes, health checks, and other tracking requirements.
4. Assists teacher in maintaining Education Child Portfolio for each child in the classroom with required and current documentation.
5. Works in partnership with the teacher in identifying any child with a suspected delay or any other area of concern.
6. Supports the teacher in the implementation of LEA IEPs.
7. Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment. Provides appropriate guidance to promote children’s gross motor skills. Balances indoor and outdoor activities to stimulate both cognitive growth and physical skills.
8. Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground. Monitors and reports to supervisor in writing any needed repairs and takes appropriate action to correct any unsafe areas.

1. Supports teacher in maintaining an adequately supplied classroom, ensuring the physical and developmental needs of all children are met.
2. Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, question, and gain mastery through learning. Encourages language development of children by asking open-ended questions.
3. Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through the promotion of cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences.
4. Provides direct supervision to children at all times; maintaining child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
5. Supports teacher in maintaining accurate classroom attendance, assuring the sign-in/out sheet corresponds with the number of children in the classroom at all times. Provides information to Family Advocate of any known reason for child absence.
6. Participates with children at mealtimes, including breakfast and lunch, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
7. Assists teacher with the implementation of healthy cooking experiences within the classroom setting that reflect the ethnic and cultural composition of the population.
8. Assists in planning and participating in regular safety and fire/storm drills. Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit, safe medication storage, and compliance with OSHA standards.
9. Maintains and documents regular contact with parents and assists the teacher with ensuring two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences are conducted yearly. Assists with documenting parent participation in center activities.
10. Assists teacher in completing two individualized home activities each month per child and provides materials. Acquaints volunteers with the classroom. Assists with parent bulletin boards.
11. Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
12. Assists in the recruitment of children for the program. Participates in community activities that enhance the Head Start program as requested.
13. Assists in maintaining appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program and ensures quality of data and timelines for completion.

1. Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings, and annual parent activities as requested.
2. Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start families. Recruits children for the program.
3. Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
4. Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meetings/trainings.
5. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff, and agency information.
6. Maintains effective working interactions with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of the Head Start program.
7. Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
8. Participates in community activities that enhance Head Start programs as directed.
9. Demonstrates proficiency and application in the learning environment of the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System).
10. Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment and performs related functions.
11. Participates in regular safety, storm, and fire drills.
12. Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
13. Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Head Start, federal, state, and local regulations/laws, and federal regulations/laws including the Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
14. Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director, or You Thrive Florida management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: Minimum requirement of High School Diploma or Equivalent. Must enroll at 90 days of hire to complete Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential with 9 months. Once the CDA program is complete, must enroll to complete Associate Degree within 2 years.

Experience: No experience required.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current insurance carrier. Subject to federal, state, and local legal requirements/background checks.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Talking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, use of fingers, arms, hands, legs, walking, stretching/reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, bending at the waist, turning, balancing, pushing, pulling, use of depth perception, carrying and lifting (up to 65 lbs.), and driving are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential.

Equipment: Computer, facsimile, copy machine, calculator, multi-line phone, and other small office and instructional equipment and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Ability to plan and carry out lesson plans. Ability to learn how to coordinate activities. Ability to work with children with special needs. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children. Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to arrive to work daily and on time. Ability to work with limited direction. Knowledge of organizational methods. Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to analyze and interpret data. Ability to use and operate a computer. Ability to maintain You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child and parent confidentiality. Ability to be reliable, responsible, and accountable to job requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Primary location is the Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties. Occasional travel to other counties.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office environment and working alone and with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.