Infant Toddler Teacher Assistant

About the role

This position is set to begin on September 14th. Work Scheduled for 40 Hours a Week.

Responsibilities

• Assists teacher in the establishment, planning and implementation of safe, healthy, high quality learning experiences and environments that advances the development of the whole child in partnership with families.
• Complies with all CPCD policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements, and the Colorado Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care and Education Services.
• Implements a balance of group and individualized experiences to promote the development of school readiness skills as defined by CPCD’s School Readiness Action Plan.
• Support Classroom Teachers: Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities that promote the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of infants and toddlers.
• Provide support in setting up the learning environment, including preparing materials, organizing the classroom, and maintaining a clean and safe space.
• Collaborate with the lead teacher to assess each child’s progress and assist in adjusting learning strategies to meet individual needs.
• Supervision and Safety: Ensure the safety and well-being of all children, maintaining constant supervision during classroom activities, outdoor play and transitions.
• Maintain constant supervision, implementing safety policies and procedures, and conducting regular safety checks to ensure a hazard-free environment.
• Respond promptly to the needs of children, including diapering, assisting with toilet training, and supporting feeding routines.
• Diapering and Hygiene Care: Perform regular diaper changes for infants and toddlers while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
• Follow proper hygiene protocols for diapering, including the cleaning and sanitizing of changing areas.
• Aid children with toileting needs and promote healthy hygiene habits such as handwashing.
• Engage in Child-Centered Activities: Interact with children at their level, engaging in activities that support their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Use developmentally appropriate language and activities to promote learning and encourage curiosity.
• Facilitate positive interactions between children, guiding them in sharing, taking turns, and problem-solving.
• Promote Positive Relationships: Foster a warm and nurturing environment by developing strong relationships with the children, promoting their sense of security and trust.
• Build supportive partnerships with families by providing regular updates on their child's progress and care.
• Assist in Classroom Management: Support positive behavior management strategies in line with classroom policies and routines.
• Aid in maintaining classroom order, managing transitions between activities, and helping children adjust to routines.
• Communication and Collaboration: Maintain open and effective communication with the lead teacher to ensure consistency in lesson plans, routines, and individual child attention.
• Update parents on their child's progress, daily activities, and any concerns as directed by the lead teacher, fostering a positive school-family partnership.
• Collaborate with other staff members to create a cohesive and supportive learning environment for the children.
• Professional Development: Participate in regular professional development opportunities, staff meetings, and required training to improve skills and stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning and growing in the field of early childhood education by actively engaging in educational activities and training.
• Seek opportunities for growth to enhance teaching skills and classroom contributions.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: Assist in maintaining accurate attendance records, incident reports, behavioral observations, and developmental progress reports for each child.
• Help in gathering documentation to showcase each child's progress throughout the school year.
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality regarding all children, families, and staff by safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring it is shared only with authorized personnel.
• Adhere to organizational policies on privacy and data protection, ensuring that any discussions or records concerning children's progress, behavior, or family circumstances remain confidential.
• Ensure confidentiality is observed in all communications, including face-to-face, written, and electronic formats.
• Health and Hygiene: Follow health and hygiene protocols, including proper handwashing, sanitizing toys and equipment, and keeping areas clean to reduce the spread of illness.
• Aid in promoting good hygiene habits in children, such as handwashing and personal care routines.
• Continuing Education: CPR and First Aid Certifications are required throughout employment and need to be taken every two (2) years.
• Through the Colorado Shines PDIS, complete training in “Recognition and Reporting and Child Abuse and Neglect” and “Infant Safe Sleep Practices” every year; training in “Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma” every two (2) years; Training in “Medication Administration Training” and “Precautions in Transporting Children” every three (3) years.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II (PDIS) required.
• Candidates who do not currently hold the required credential must be willing to obtain it within two (2) years of hire.
• Must obtain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certification within 90-days of employment and maintain as required.
• Must be able to lift/carry/manipulate up to 40 pounds.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to perform functions of the job including being able to go to another location during the work day if necessary.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination, TB test, drug test (including marijuana), and background check in accordance with the Office of Head Start Performance Standards and Childcare Licensing.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and if using a personal vehicle must maintain minimum liability insurance as determined by the State of Colorado.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with children from birth to age five.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of child development theories and practices.
• Ability to adapt to different learning styles and needs.
• Experience with infant/toddler curriculum and assessment tools.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members.

Benefits

• Paid vacation time, paid sick time, and paid holidays/Breaks.
• Paid Holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Paid Breaks include 1-week for Spring Break (March), 1-week for Fall Break (November), and 2- weeks for Winter Break (end of December/beginning of January).
• Competitive benefits package including access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, Aflac supplemental insurance, and voluntary life insurance.
• Employee Wellbeing Program includes full well-being program to encourage and promote your well-being in the workplace, including 2 hours of paid time per month for wellness activities.
• Tuition Assistance is available after 60 days of employment: $4,000 per year for Early Childhood Education Associates/Bachelor’s Degrees. $2,500 per year for other degrees related to employment at CPCD.
• 401(k) program offers traditional and Roth enrollment options with automatic enrollment in our profit-sharing after 1-year of employment.
• Access to Basic Life, Long Term Disability, and AD&D insurance at no cost to you.

Pay

Step 1: High school diploma or equivalent & relevant experience $17.59/hr.
Step 2: Age appropriate CDA or Level II credential $19.30/hr.
Step 3: Colorado Department of Human Services Director Qualification (DQ)/ Level 3 $20.28/hr.
Step 4: Colorado Department of Human Services Director Qualification (DQ)/ Level 3 and 12 credit hours in ECE (can include Pyramid Plus and EQIT) $21.28/hr.
Step 5: Associate Degree in ECE or Related Field (AA + 24 credit hours in ECE) $22.34/hr.

Schedule

Work Scheduled for 40 Hours a Week.