Essential Duties and Requirements: To perform this position 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.
Position Description Summary
Responsible for supporting the implementation of the designated curriculum and supporting the implementation of daily activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children. The Teacher Aide will support the classroom routine and support children in small groups and or individually throughout the day. This role will support and ensure compliance with ODJFS, USDA, Health and Sanitation and Regulations.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Responsible for supporting the safety and active supervision of children during all parts of the daily routine.
Assist with all part of the daily routine such as but not limited to arrival/departure, mealtime, handwashing, toileting (this could include planning/recall, work time, small and large group, and outdoor play)
Provide coverage of breaks and lunches for teaching staff, in coordination with the Center Coordinator
Ensure adult/child ratio is always maintained, ensuring all children are within sight and sound at all times.
Follows the lead of the teaching team to ensure quality services for children and families.
Assist with promoting communications with center team members to ensure that information is appropriately shared about children and families.
Communication challenging behaviors to immediate supervisors to determine cause and implement preventive measures, teach a new behavior, communication, and/or social skill to minimize or eliminate the behavior.
Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including, at a minimum:
Reporting of suspected or known child abuse and neglect to Franklin County Children Services according to agency procedures and the Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.421.
Safe sleep practices, including ensuring that all sleeping arrangements for children under 18 months of age use firm mattresses or cots, as appropriate, and for children under 12 months, soft bedding materials or toys must not be used.
Appropriate indoor and outdoor supervision of children at all times.
Only releasing children to an authorized adult
Adhere to all standards of conduct described in Head Start Performance Standards §1302.90(c)
Systematically and routinely implement hygiene practices that ensure:
Appropriate toileting, hand washing, and diapering procedures are followed.
Safe food preparation
Exposure to blood and body fluids is handled consistent with standards of the Occupational Safety Health Administration.
Documentation of feeding and diaper changes for Early Head Start children and Pull-Up changes for Head Start children.
Follow, and practice procedures for:
Emergencies
Fire prevention and response.
Protection from contagious disease
The handling, storage, administration, and record of administration of medication
Documenting children’s attendance upon arrival and departure
Maintaining procedures and systems to ensure children are only released to an authorized adult.
Child specific health care needs and food allergies that include accessible plans of action for emergencies.
Attend and participate in professional development, training, and meetings. Must participate in 20 hours of training per year in understanding children and improving delivery of childcare services.
Maintain and respect the confidentiality of families, staff, and program.
Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Head Start Performance Standards, and all federal, state, and local regulations. Ensure all federal, local, state, and/or agency documentation is completed accurately.
Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor or manager.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
Clear communication skills: speak clearly so children and adults can understand
Organized, detail-oriented, with problem solving and good decision-making skills
Be able to observe children’s actions and hear children at all times (sight and sound)
Collaborative, team-oriented with positive and dedicated work ethic to children and families
Knowledge of how diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to foster a positive work environment
Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) as well as web-based systems to complete timesheets and leave requests.
Required
Experience
Prefer one year of experience working with children age birth to 5
Must have flexibility with work schedule to accommodate hours of operations for all centers.
Willingness to continue professional education and learning, being coachable; ensure completion of all ODJFS required trainings
Required Education, Certifications, Licenses
High School Diploma or GED.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must submit to a background check, including BCI and FBI Criminal Records, Federal and State Sex Offender registries and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System and be eligible for employment as required by ODJFS.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
Must be physically able to move quickly in and outside the classroom, be able to sit on the floor and in a child size chair, bend from knee and waist, stoop and squat to talk to children at their eye level, climb stairs, physical outdoor play, field trips, walks, be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
Maybe required to travel to other centers to provide coverage based on agency needs