Strong Beginnings Early Childhood Classroom Aide (3-4 years old)

Location: Bennett • Salary: $16.72/hr • Reports to: Principal • Bargaining Unit: Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals (DFP) • Benefits Eligible: Yes • This is a school-based position and is not eligible for telecommuting.

About the Role

The Early Childhood Classroom Aide provides assistance to the Strong Beginnings classroom to ensure an environment that allows teachers and paraeducators to provide high-quality student instruction without interruption.

Qualifications

• Must possess and provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED certification.
• Ability to exercise initiative, use good discretion and judgment, work as part of a team, and work in a fast-paced environment with minimum direction.
• A desire to work with 2.9–3-year-olds.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to students, staff, parents, visitors, and the community to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.
• Greet students, staff, parents, visitors, and the community warmly; engage respectfully in tone, body language, and verbal communication.
• Maintain professionalism in conversations about children and families, preserving confidentiality and privacy.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills, flexibility, mediation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Route all family questions and concerns about children and classroom activities to the teacher.
• Greet and assist children with their belongings at arrival and dismissal; ensure families sign in and out each day.
• Escort students to and from bus transportation each day and sign students in/out.
• Assist in the preparation and setup of classroom activities and materials:
  • Keep shelves and materials organized and labeled to reflect home languages of all students.
  • Keep surfaces free of clutter.
  • Ensure learning materials are ready for use by students throughout the day.
  • Restock consumables as necessary throughout the day.
• Observe students during choice time and offer redirection or logistical support as needed.
• Monitor classroom while teacher presents individual and/or small-group lessons.
• Consult with teacher and assistant teacher regularly around specific expectations of children in the learning environment.
• Manage the delivery, supervision, and engagement of students in family-style meals in the Strong Beginnings classroom with minimum supervision:
  • Prepare food in serving containers for students to serve themselves and engage in meaningful conversations during meals.
  • Clean and sanitize tables and food prep area according to State of Michigan licensing 3-step process.
  • Keep a record of materials needed to support family-style meals and work with kitchen staff to replace low or missing items.
  • Support students as they set the table and clean up after the meal.
  • Clean the refrigerator weekly and on demand as needed; document refrigerator/freezer temperature daily (if applicable).
  • Rotate foods (using older foods first).
  • Engage in conversational feedback loops with children throughout the meal.
• Clean and sanitize toys and materials daily using the 3-step process; prioritize frequently used toys by cleaning them daily, with other toys cleaned weekly.
• Assist students with Rest Time preparation:
  • Create a map of where cots will be placed daily, ensuring spacing between cots as outlined by Michigan licensing rules.
  • Assist children in putting cots in their assigned spaces and placing bedding on their assigned cot.
  • Clean cots on a weekly basis or as needed.
  • Gather soiled linens for laundry service or wash them weekly (or as needed).
  • Keep a record of materials needed to support laundering and work with lead teachers to replace low or missing items.
• Alongside the paraeducator, manage toileting responsibilities and support for students, following Child Care Licensing diapering procedures.
• Supervise student outdoor time in accordance with Strong Beginnings curriculum, implementation manual, and LARA Childcare Licensing guidance:
  • Engage in children’s play and conversations.
  • Engage in active supervision practices as outlined by Michigan Childcare Licensing.
• Assist the classroom teacher on field trips and any other out-of-classroom learning opportunities.
• Support the enrollment process as needed.
• Supervise and engage with students as outlined in the Strong Beginnings Implementation Manual and Child Care Licensing requirements.
• Complete mandatory LARA Child Care Licensing trainings within the required time frame upon hire, including:
  • Strong Beginnings Orientation
  • Infant, Adult, Child CPR
  • Prevention of Infectious Diseases
  • Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma/Child Maltreatment/Reporting Abuse & Neglect
  • 90-day Trainings:
    • Administration of medication
    • Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions
    • Building and physical premises safety
    • Emergency preparedness and response planning
    • Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of bio-contaminants
    • Precautions in transporting children, if applicable
    • Child development
• Obtain 24 hours of Professional Development and training per school year (LARA Child Care Licensing trainings count toward these hours).
• Create and maintain a current and accurate MiRegistry profile.
• Obtain a foundational understanding of Strong Beginnings through participation in available district-wide professional development opportunities.
• Perform all other assignments as requested by the classroom teacher, school administrator, and as outlined by the curriculum, Strong Beginnings Implementation Manual, and District processes and procedures.

Benefits

This position is benefits-eligible under the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals (DFP) bargaining unit agreement.