Early Childhood Assistant - Early Head Start

DEPARTMENT:      Early Head Start

JOB TITLE:             Early Childhood Assistant

FLSA class:            Non-Exempt/Part – Time     

REPORTS TO:        Education/Disability Coordinator

JOB PURPOSE:     The Early Childhood Assistant, under the supervision of the Early Childhood Teacher, will assist in a manner that contributes to the growth and development of the children enrolled in the center.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or GED

Six (6) educational credits in Child Care and/or Child Development from birth to 6 years

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Lesson plans, skill checklist, exit reports, attendance sheets, classroom inventory.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.   The Early Childhood Assistant will work with the Early Childhood Teacher in teaching, taking care of or providing services to the children in the classroom, on field trips or on the playground.

2.   The Early Childhood Assistant will work with the Early Childhood Teacher in operating and supervising the teaching, recreation and other programs.

3.   EC Assistant will facilitate and interact in learning centers & meal times & small groups.

4.   EC Assistant will assist in toileting and tooth brushing.

5.   The Early Childhood Assistant will learn and administer all tests used for screening purposes.

6.   An Early Childhood Assistant must attend and take Professional Development training and courses (credit on non-credit) that will broaden their knowledge about early childhood education.

7.   An Early Childhood Assistant must assist the Early Childhood Teacher with the following record keeping pertinent to the operation of the classroom:

a)   Lesson plans.  

b)   Skill checklists must be updated weekly.

c)   Weekly Anecdotal records and observations must be done in action and out of action in the classroom and documented weekly.

d)   Daily attendance sheets will be filled out daily and kept posted in the classroom. At the end of the month, they will be totaled and turned in.

e)   Meal Participation Sheets.

f)    An inventory must be done on classroom equipment and supplies in August and in June.

g)   Parent Volunteer Sheets.

8.   An Early Childhood Assistant must attend meetings

    Involving the community which the program serves (As Requested)

a.        Community Action Agency Board meetings (When Invited)

b.        School Board meetings

c.           Provider agency meetings

d.           EC Organization

9.   An Early Childhood Assistant must attend all staff meetings promptly at the specified time and place.

10.  An Early Childhood Assistant must be able to involve the parents in the daily classroom operations with confidence to assure the parents that they are needed and are useful.

11.  Must be able to perform the essential duties of the job description.

12.  Must have and maintain a valid Illinois Driver’s license and reliable transportation and insurance as required by the State of Illinois.

Performance Factors

Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.

Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.

Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works, to maintain constructive working relationships.

Agency Expectation of Employee

• Adheres to Agency Policy and Procedures

• Acts as a role model within and outside the Agency

• Performs duties as workload necessitates

• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude

• Communicates regularly.

• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload

• Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position

Americans with Disability Specifications on 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 occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.