Head Start Teacher Assistant

You Thrive Florida; Brooksville (FL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Classroom Assistant to support teachers in creating a nurturing and educational environment for children. This full-time position offers a chance to make a significant impact on young learners' development by assisting with lesson planning, classroom management, and individual child assessments. The role includes various benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. Ideal candidates will have a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Join a team that values growth, collaboration, and community involvement.

Benefits

Employer paid health benefits

Sick Leave

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Pet Insurance

Life Insurance Policy

14 Company Paid Holidays

Retirement Benefits

Qualifications

• Must enroll to complete CDA Credential within 9 months.
• Ability to work with children with special needs.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with classroom management and child development.
• Implement lesson plans and document children's progress.
• Maintain a safe and organized classroom environment.

Skills

Lesson Planning

Child Development

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Observation and Assessment

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

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 assessments 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 development. 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 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; maintains child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
5. Supports teacher in maintaining accurate classroom attendance, ensuring the sign-in/out sheet corresponds with the number of children in the classroom. 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 reflecting the ethnic and cultural composition of the population.
8. Assists in planning and participates in regular safety and fire/storm drills.
9. Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit, safe medication storage, and OSHA standards are met.
10. Maintains and documents regular contact with parents; assists in ensuring two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences are conducted yearly. Documents parent participation in center activities.
11. Assists teacher in completing two individualized home activities per month per child and in maintaining a parent bulletin board.
12. Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
13. Assists in recruiting children for the program and participates in community activities that enhance the Head Start program.
14. Maintains documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program, ensuring data quality and timely completion.

1. Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings, and annual parent activities.
2. Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start families. Recruits children for the program.
3. Assists in developing and implementing the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
4. Attends and 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.
7. Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
8. Participates in community activities that enhance Head Start programs.
9. Demonstrates proficiency in the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System).
10. Participates in ongoing monitoring, community assessment, and self-assessment.
11. Participates in safety, storm, and fire drills.
12. Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
13. Follows policies/procedures of Head Start, federal, state, and local regulations/laws, including Head Start Performance Standards.
14. Follows policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including personnel policies, occupational health and safety policies, and payroll practices.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: Performs additional duties as assigned by supervisor or management. This description provides essential information about the position but is not exhaustive of all duties, efforts, or responsibilities.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: Minimum of High School Diploma or Equivalent. Must enroll within 90 days of hire to complete Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential within 9 months. After completing CDA, must enroll to complete an Associate Degree within 2 years.

Experience: No experience required.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and insurability. Subject to background checks.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: Talking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, use of fingers, arms, hands, legs, walking, stretching/reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, bending, turning, balancing, pushing, pulling, carrying (up to 65 lbs.), and driving. Good eyesight and hearing (correctable) are essential.

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

Skills & Expertise: Ability to plan lessons, coordinate activities, work with children with special needs, establish effective relationships, complete work accurately, arrive on time, work independently, evaluate situations, communicate effectively, analyze data, operate a computer, maintain confidentiality, and be reliable and responsible.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Primary in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel.

Work Environment: Office and outdoor environments, frequent use of office equipment, occasional outdoor work, and driving.