HSP - Teacher Assistant

ENRICHMENT SERVICES PROGRAM INCORPORATED; Phenix City (AL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

ENRICHMENT SERVICES PROGRAM INCORPORATED in Phenix City, Alabama, is seeking an incumbent to support classroom activities and ensure child development through collaboration with teachers. This role involves maintaining confidentiality and engaging with children at their level while helping implement lesson plans.

The ideal candidate will possess an Early Childhood Education Diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of one year experience in childcare, and must be able to lift and move children safely.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year work experience in a childcare setting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Regularly required to lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and schedules.
• Engage and communicate with children at their level.
• Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.

Skills

Effective communication

Understanding of child development

Positive discipline techniques

Ability to engage with children

Education

Early Childhood Education Diploma or equivalent

Current Child Development Associate (CDA)

Job description

Job Summary

Incumbent works collaboratively in partnership with the classroom teacher for the establishment, maintenance and management of classroom activities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families of Enrichment Services Program.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.
• Staff interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
• Staff respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.
• Staff communicates directly with each child at the child's level.
• Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
• Assist and be responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
• Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to NAEYC.
• Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.
• Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and daily schedules.
• Assist with recording daily observation in Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Assist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.
• Recruit volunteers and solicit in‑kind contributions.
• Attend meetings, trainings and workshops as required.
• Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.
• Serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families and children.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition

• Maintain and follow all safety and health policies of the location.
• Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of the entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
• Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.
• Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).
• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify the designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
• Assist in arranging space into clearly defined, well‑organized activity areas.
• Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.

Qualifications

• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma; Current Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate Degree in ECE or equivalent credentials, and a minimum of one year work experience in a childcare setting.

Essential Mental Functions

Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and staff.

Essential Physical Functions

Incumbent is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. Regularly required to stand, climb, balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to twenty‑five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.