Position: Early Head Start Teacher Assistant

Salary Band: 1

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Reporting to: Site Manager

Department: Whole Family Services - Early

Scope:

To support and assist in the planning and provision of a program of educational activities that promotes the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Assist in developing individual goals for children, providing on-going assessment on progress, and facilitating transition into Head Start or other educational school settings in partnership with parents.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in planning and carrying out developmentally age-appropriate activities and experiences for infant and toddlers that advance all areas of children’s development (social, emotional, cognitive, and physical) based on the High/Scope Infant/ Toddler Curriculum.
• Assist in planning and implementing daily lesson plans under the supervision of the Site Manager/Teacher.
• Assist individual children in need of special attention and care, including changing diapers, toilet learning, feeding, and other attending to other special needs.
• Assist in creating and maintaining a safe, inviting, and accepting environment for infant and toddlers and their parents.
• Assist in maintaining appropriate and engaging classroom environments and actively be involved with children throughout the daily routine including the incorporation of positive, nurturing adult/child interactions that foster children’s social and academic development and learning as assessed. Assist in setting up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers.
• Direct specific classroom activities and experiences for individual children as assigned by the Teacher.
• Assist in setting up environment (classroom, outdoor) and preparing materials for daily activities.
• Assist in supporting a safe, healthy, well-managed classroom environment that ensures the physical safety and emotional security of children. Assist with daily clean up and care of classroom.
• Work with teachers as a team to plan for each child’s progress through a developmental screening skill checklist, parent input, support strategies, and interactions. Assist in the daily on-going assessment of children through the taking of anecdotal notes, scoring them and entering the information into On-line COR.
• Participate in a minimum two parent/teacher conferences and two home visits in accordance with performance standards.
• Maintain confidentiality of information related to home and school environment.
• Attend departmental and agency meetings and trainings as required, including attending a minimum of 16 hours of professional development per program year.
• Maintain working relationships with families, staff and community that are accepting of differences.
• Work with and encourage parent and community volunteerism in a professional and respectful manner.
• Assist in the process of receiving children and preparing them for dismissal.
• Perform special assignments as directed by immediate supervisor or other management as required.
• Comply with all licensing regulations and performance standards.
• Assist in completing and maintaining all required documentation i.e. home visits, parent teacher conferences, CACFP, attendance, emergency cards, developmental screenings and assessments and individual learning plans in a thorough and timely manner.
• Responsible for knowledge and Implementation of the philosophy, content areas, and functions of the infant/toddler curriculum, including knowledge of Head Start)Performance Standards.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards assigned work, clients, and staff, and a willingness to work with others.
• Perform work in a professional manner that upholds Wayne Metro’s policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Schools/Professional: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk, sit, see, talk and hear, and use hands to manipulate. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb steps, stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch. The employee is required to supervise students requiring the employee to match walking speed that matches the student and may at times require the ability to run to safeguard students. The employee must occasionally lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, and move students. Employee must occasionally move equipment and/or supplies. The job is performed for the most part in a school setting with occasional outside weather conditions. The noise level is that of a typical school setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Preferred Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood/Child Development; or enrolled in a program leading to an AA or BA degree in Early Childhood/Child Development with 12 credit hours in Early Childhood major currently completed.
• Minimum of a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. CDA infant/toddler certification preferred.
• Education coursework that includes at minimum 2 courses in early childhood that address the infant-toddler age group.
• Experience working with infants/toddlers and families preferred.
• Ability to work with children with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate and interact with children in a caring, responsive, and nurturing manner.
• Ability to intervene with children’s behaviors in a non-punitive and supportive manner.
• Ability to establish positive and productive working relationships with parents/caregivers.
• Proficiency in a second language is a plus.
• Ability to be self-directed in the completion of tasks.
• Ability to work as a positive and productive member of a team.
• Ability to coordinate a number of varying tasks simultaneously.
• Basic understanding of child development, age appropriate behaviors, common childhood behavior problems, and appropriate interventions.
• Ability to work with and to demonstrate commitment, caring, and respect for children and adults regardless of race, gender, age, and cultural or ethnic background.
• Commitment to the welfare of the families the program serves and to the delivery of quality services.
• Ability and willingness to continue personal and professional growth and skill development.
• Ability to work cooperatively with supervisors, colleagues, and all agency staff.
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively to individuals and groups both orally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to make home visits.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, and dependability.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. or more.

Minimum Competencies:

• Working knowledge of basic internet applications and programs including Google technology and Microsoft Office Word and Excel. The ability to learn and utilize the necessary programs for this position.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• CPR and first aid certified.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, and dependability.
• Ability to provide services for those persons facing economic, social, health, age, and educational barriers.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment (as deemed necessary).
• Perform work in a manner that upholds Wayne Metro policies and procedures.

Travel Requirements:

Ability to travel to various sites.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must be COVID-19 vaccinated, or partially, with the ability to complete within 30-days of employment. Circumstances preventing vaccination, and corresponding accommodations will be reviewed and considered.

Work Hours:

Work schedule is Monday – Friday, with specific hours (and occasional Saturdays) to be determined by department needs.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer - EOE/M/F/D/V