Preschool Classroom Aide

About the organization

Make a difference in the community with Early Learning Essentials! We are a non-profit Head Start organization that offers preschool, health, and social services to children and families who are navigating significant life challenges & economic hardships. With Early Learning Essentials you can help children facing social, emotional, and/or economic disadvantages to reach their highest potential and prepare for lifelong success.

Full-time positions enjoy exceptional benefits with medical, dental, life, and a 401(k). We are a family friendly company as all staff enjoy gym benefits, weekends off, and twice the normal holidays!

Responsibilities

• Assists the teacher to provide instruction, supervision, and provision of appropriate learning activities for all enrolled children at a specified site.
• Under the direction of the teacher, delivers comprehensive educational services to all Head Start children, including those with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), behavioral support or health plans, and English language learners.
• Helps children develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a developmentally appropriate manner toward the overall goal of social competence and school readiness, as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, the 2007 Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act, and Early Learning Essentials's policies and procedures.
• Ensures services support the agency's school readiness plan.

Schedule

• Availability required Monday through Friday for 28 hours per week (approximately 8:00 am–3:00 pm daily).
• Part-time for 167–175 days for double-session classrooms and 175 days for extended-day classrooms.
• Double-session classrooms: Monday–Friday, no more than 6 hours/day Monday–Thursday and 4 hours on Friday (28 hours/week).
• Extended-day classrooms: Monday–Friday, 28 hours/week.
• Single-classroom locations: no more than 3 hours/day Monday–Thursday and 2 hours on Friday (14 hours/week).
• For weeks with fewer than five working days, daily hours only apply.
• This position is not eligible for telecommuting; it is front-line work requiring face-to-face interaction with children and families.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or enrollment in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years (Early Learning Essentials may assist with costs as funds allow).
• Associate or Baccalaureate degree (in any area) from a recognized institution, or enrollment in a program leading to a degree; OR
• Associate or Baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or closely related field from a recognized institution (preferred).
• Experience working with preschool children or preschool lab work leading to a degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred).
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking (desirable).

Skills

• Knowledge of basic child development.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to handle and redirect child challenging behaviors.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and develop solutions to problems with limited supervision.
• Ability to write and speak English proficiently and professionally to meet job requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, community groups, and other related agencies and individuals.

Pay

• $17.49/hour – No CDA / CDA in progress
• $17.86/hour – CDA credential completed
• $18.43/hour – Associate or Bachelor's degree or higher

Benefits

• Gym benefits for all staff
• Weekends off
• Twice the normal holidays
• Full-time positions additionally receive medical, dental, life insurance, and 401(k)