Early Education Assistant Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Twos)

About the role

The Assistant Teacher is an entry level position in the Child Development Center series. The Assistant Teacher works under the supervision of the Site Supervisor and Director of Early Education Center. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for the general supervision and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants, preschoolers, and school age children; ages 3 months and 12 years. In addition, incumbent may give direction to the Student Teacher's Aides.

The Assistant Teacher assumes responsibility for the general supervision and safety of all children. In conjunction with the teachers, establishes effective communication with families, attends regularly scheduled staff meetings, actively participates as a team member, and participates in professional growth activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide for the care and developmental activities of children. Implement developmentally appropriate children’s curriculum, including provision for effective cognitive, social, emotional and motor development. Develop relationships with individual children.
• In conjunction with teachers, establish and maintain appropriate child behavior to achieve a safe, functional learning atmosphere in the center. Through daily interactions, promote the development of children’s self-control, self-esteem and positive relationships with others.
• Assume responsibility for the general supervision and safety of all children in attendance, including compliance with Department of Social Services licensing requirements and Title 5 regulations. In conjunction with the teachers, implement and maintain a developmentally appropriate environment conducive to children’s safe and independent exploration.
• Assist the Teachers in maintaining a clean and safe environment in the classroom and play yard.
• Helps organize and safely supervise children's fieldtrips on and off campus.
• Assists the Teachers with the planning, care, and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum consistent with California Department of Education and Department of Social Services, and National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation requirements for curriculum and teaching environments. Supports developmentally appropriate lesson plans in conjunction with findings obtained from children's Desired Results Assessments (DRDP’s).
• Makes regular observations of individual children to assess challenges, strengths and goals. Documents information for developmental assessment supports appropriate curriculum for children and maintains ongoing communication with families.
• Participate in the completion of Desired Results Assessments, twice a year within a specified time, for a designated group of children. Contribute to anecdotal notes for correctly filling out forms and writing reports concerning children's developmental milestones, behavior and health.
• Participate in overall program evaluation, planning of program's goals and effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain regular respectful verbal and written communication with parents to inform families of their child's day and center activities. Work in collaboration with families to facilitate children's transitions between home and center.
• Assist in maintaining a culturally sensitive, respectful atmosphere for families. Encourage family involvement in program. Attend quarterly family meetings.
• Attend regularly scheduled, evening staff meetings and program-wide staff meetings. Actively participate and contribute as a team member with all other staff.
• Establish and maintain effective communication through cooperative problem-solving and active listening skills with other staff.
• Participation at staff development and in-service trainings, workshops, conferences, and other professional growth activities (some evening or weekend hours) to improve skills, update knowledge of current professional practices and ongoing accumulation of training hours and/or units to renew and improve California Child Development Permit following the Child Development Permit Matrix.
• Assist Teachers in planning and conducting quarterly parent meetings and social events.

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of children’s developmental needs in social, emotional, cognitive and physical areas.
• Ability to implement a developmentally appropriate program for children, e.g., curriculum, assessment, and environment.
• Ability to keep children physically safe.
• Ability to interact effectively with groups of children and adults from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Word processing skills.
• Eligibility for a Child Development Permit at the Assistant Teacher level within 12 months of employment with 12 postsecondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed at an accredited or approved college or university. These units must include the core courses and Infant & Toddler Development as defined by Title 22 licensing requirements.

Preferred qualifications

• Work experience in a licensed infant/toddler/preschool setting, with children 3 months – 5 years of age.
• A minimum of (3) semester units or equivalent quarter units related to the care of infants and meeting Title 22 licensing requirements.

Special conditions of employment

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must provide proof of a current negative TB test and completed Health Screening Report within 7 days of hire.
• Ability to obtain a current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• The ability to move materials weighing up to 25 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Will be required to comply with current Early Education Center employee health safety requirements for child care providers as defined by state regulatory agencies; Current health safety requirements to be discussed during interview.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years.