• Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.
• Maintains professionalism and integrity at all times in the classroom, staff/program meetings, trainings, and with any parts and partners of the YMCA Head Start program.
• Maintains confidentiality and adhere to the YMCA and Head Start Code of Conducts.
• Actively monitor professional development goals and annually required hours.
• Assist with implementing the program in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and the policies and philosophy of the YMCA.
• Completes duties as required by the Child and Adult Care Food program.
• Maintain prompt hours and follows procedures for absences.
• May be assigned additional duties based upon program needs and areas of developing expertise.
• Collaborate with other content areas to ensure the needs of children and families are met.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITES:

• Establish working knowledge of initial assessments, observations and curriculum planning.
• Participate in preparing classroom materials to support lesson plans and making changes to learning centers as needed.
• Is a member of the teaching team who helps plan and initiate meaningful learning activities.
• Help to promote positive teacher-child interactions by offering children appropriate affection, verbal praise, and acceptance while providing clear and consistent expectations for behavior; sets firm limits with positive phrasing and actions when necessary.
• Work effectively and regularly with teaching team to ensure that tasks are completed accurately and timely to include the designating of roles and responsibilities within the classroom.
• Awareness of the needs of children and families in program.
• Help maintain a clean and organized learning environment.
• Help to implement CACFP programing by acting as a role model to children to promote family style meals and healthy eating practices.

RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING

• Collects, records, and maintains all necessary information and documentation as assigned.
• Help to monitor attendance throughout the day.
• Help to complete CACFP forms accordingly
• Submit monthly reports as prescribed by Center Manager.
• Help to review and collect In Kind forms.
• Help to identify supplies and materials needed for the class or center and submit to Center Manager.

PARENT/FAMILY INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

• Build rapport with families through positive and professional interactions.

• Attend Home visits and parent teacher conferences with other teaching staff.

SUPERVISION:

• Work with teaching team to develop and provide consistent routines and transitions throughout each day.
• Actively participate in the supervision of all indoor and outdoor activities while maintaining ratio requirements at all times.
• Ensure each child is within sight and sound and accounted for at all times.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum High School Diploma
• Experience working with children
• Knowledge of Head Start and ODJFS regulations and requirements is a plus
• Must submit medical statement and TB test results as required by Head Start standards.
• Must complete a FBI and BCI criminal background check.
• Must keep current training certifications in first aid, communicable diseases, child abuse recognition & prevention.
• Passionate belief in the Y’s cause of nurturing the potential of all youth, supporting healthy living for all people and finding ways to help and support our neighbors.
• Understanding of the nature and purpose of the YMCA and the respective roles of volunteers and staff.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

The teacher aid will assist in the implementation of all daily program activities.