Pre-K Teacher Assistant- GA

Enrichment Services Program, Inc.; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance (50,000)

Voluntary Short-Term and Long-Term DI

FSA – Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Generous Paid Time Off

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Enrichment Services Program, Inc. seeks an early childhood assistant to collaborate with teachers in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for young children.

The role emphasizes nurturing interactions, safety, and positive guidance while supporting family engagement and advocacy within Head Start. You will help maintain daily schedules, organize learning centers, document observations, and assist with health, safety and nutrition practices.

Qualifications

• Requires Early Childhood Education Diploma; Current CDA or Associate Degree in ECE or equivalent credentials.
• Experience with building safe, developmentally appropriate classroom activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in establishing and maintaining classroom activities.
• Maintain confidentiality about staff, children and families.
• Follow daily lesson plans and schedules; document observations.
• Support healthy, safe, and nurturing environments; supervise groups of children.
• Organize learning centers and materials for independent use.
• Recruit volunteers and solicit in-kind contributions.
• Attend meetings, trainings and workshops as required.
• Advocate for Head Start program, families and children.

Skills

Effective communication

Observation & development

Positive discipline

Flexibility & supportive

Collaboration with staff

Engaging children

Education

ECE Diploma / CDA or Assoc. Degree in ECE

Tools

Teaching Strategies GOLD

Job description

Job Summary:Incumbent works collaboratively in partnership with the classroom teacher for the establishment, maintenance and management of classroom activities.Major Responsibilities/Activities:Interaction between Staff and ChildrenMaintain 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 GOLDAssist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.Recruit volunteers and solicits in-kind contributions.Attend meetings, trainings and workshop 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 rules of the location.Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of 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 designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.Assist in arrangement of space into clearly defined, well organized activity areas.Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.BenefitsWe value our team members and are pleased to offer a flexible benefits package for all eligible employees. Our package includes:Medical/Dental/Vision InsuranceLife Insurance (50,000)Voluntary Short-Term and Long-Term DisabilityFSA – Flexible Spending AccountsEmployee Assistance ProgramGenerous Paid Time Off (Sick, Personal, and Holidays)401(k) PlanMinimum Requirements:Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma; Current Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate Degree in ECE or equivalent credentials, ANDMinimum 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.Equipment Used:Office equipment such as P.C., telephone system, calculators, fax machines and copy machines.