Floater

Education

• Required – High School Diploma or GED
• Required – Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Employee will obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate within 6 months of employment
• If classrooms are mixed (EHS and HS), both CDAs are required
• If the CDA is not completed successfully on the first attempt, the employee may retake the course at their own expense within 60 days; failure to seek a second attempt results in separation from employment

About the role

The employee will protect the physical and mental health and safety of children, ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised while in care. They will assist in providing an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework for ages birth to five, including children with disabilities and dual language learners. The role supports the implementation of prescribed curricula to deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, integrating child assessment data into individual and group planning. The employee will also support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of children’s developmental progress, and facilitate family engagement opportunities such as parent conferences, home visits, and group activities.

Responsibilities

• Follow practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, maintaining appropriate supervision, and adhering to standards of conduct
• Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS Pre-K instrument
• Support and participate in staff development, including completion of minimum training requirements per state and federal standards, continuing professional development, and staff wellness initiatives
• Support classroom activities as directed by the teacher and assist with transitions to and from the classroom
• Support the use of age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and periodically change materials to support evolving interests and development
• Communicate child observations to teachers, including potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness
• Support coordination with education, family, mental health, and/or child development professionals to address identified needs
• Support school functions, scheduled meetings, team decisions, and operations
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations
• Perform other job duties as assigned

Measurable Deliverables

• Response to classroom requests for support is timely and compliant with Office of Head Start and agency regulations, policies, and protocols
• Regular communication with teachers ensures they are well informed about students’ behavior and progress
• The classroom is free from physical and environmental hazards
• Incident reporting occurs within designated timeframes per program policy and protocol

Requirements

• Demonstrate the ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics
• Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish (preferred)
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of all Innovative Network of Knowledge policies and procedures
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Must comply with company immunization policy: COVID vaccination and annual Influenza vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption