Preschool Assistant #98 PAAC

About the Role

To assist teachers in a preschool program in supervising children, providing learning experiences, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in planning, preparing, and collecting resource materials and learning activities.
• Work with children individually and in groups.
• Participate and interact with children during learning experiences.
• Promote the well-being of children by helping them develop a positive attitude, self-image, and cooperative play skills.
• Assist teacher with supervising indoor and outdoor activities, including arts and crafts, music, cooking, free time, storytelling, science projects, psychomotor activities, and field trips.
• Set up tables for meals; assist with serving, cleaning up, and supervision of children during meals; may assist in preparing beds for nap time.
• Care for and maintain materials, equipment, supplies, and toys.
• Arrange and maintain an attractive, comfortable, and inviting setting for learning-oriented play experiences.
• Inform teacher of any apparent learning or behavioral problems; assist in meeting the special needs of children.
• Greet parents; assist in acquainting parents with the program as necessary.
• Help parent volunteers become involved in activities.
• May visit homes and/or call to check on absent children.
• May wash blankets, sheets, and other items as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Proper child care techniques.
• Basic techniques and methods of interacting with children and adults.
• First aid and safety requirements.
• Individual needs of children of a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
• Activities for young children, including educational, sports, games, crafts, psychomotor, art, drama, music, and related learning experiences.

Ability To:

• Relate to children and assist them in age-appropriate activities to enable learning at their own level.
• Assist teacher with supervising children in educational and play activities.
• Understand and relate to children from varying ethnic backgrounds.
• Interact and maintain cooperative working relationships with children, parents, and staff.
• Work in a team situation.
• Read and write at the level required for successful job performance.
• Perform physical tasks required for the job.

Physical Demands

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to care for infants/toddlers.
• Ability to see, hear, and speak with/without assistive devices to communicate effectively.
• Frequent bending/stooping to interact with toddlers.
• Occasional squatting, crouching, crawling, or kneeling.
• Reach overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally to retrieve supplies.
• Stand/walk frequently for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs overhead (with assistance).
• Occasionally lift up to 20 lbs above shoulder height.
• Occasionally lift up to 40 lbs from waist to knee and from knee to floor.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally push/pull up to 120 lbs.
• Frequent firm grasping with hands; occasional simple grasping with hands.
• Lift up to 40 lbs to table height with assistance.

Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, or experience equivalent to:

• Working with students in a supervisory capacity for a period of six months.
• Completion of the 12th grade.

Additional federal requirements under No Child Left Behind:

• High school graduation or GED.
• Degree or completion of 48 semester units from an accredited college or university.
• District Assessment Test/County certificate showing compliance with NCLB (SUSD proficiency test taken before 7/1/04 does not meet this requirement).