Early Head Start Teacher Assistant

Start Early is an energized, future-focused organization committed to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more inclusive early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture. We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.

The Early Head Start Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the reflective supervision of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant will ensure that all classroom activities and the environment are developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state and local standards and that both the environment and classroom activities reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum. The Teacher Assistant assumes the classroom Lead Teacher’s responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Teacher.

Responsibilities:

• Administrative Responsibilities: In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, develop and regularly monitor child education binders for each child and ensure all confidential information is protected. Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit it in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher. Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment. As assigned by the lead teacher, monitor and ensure that daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily. Read and respond to Outlook emails daily.
• Child Development: Observe, assess and document each assigned child’s growth and development in TSG with a minimum of two entries per child each week and three entries per child with an IFSP/IEP. Adhere to all IEP, IFSP, and IHP Implementation Plans, and/or strategies provided by Education Managers and/or Consultants. Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success. Ensure goals are made with parents and are reflected in children’s individual plans. Participate in Family/Child Reviews. Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
• Curriculum and Assessment: In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that will promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child and support their school readiness. In conjunction with the classroom teaching team develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, experiences and outcomes for children. In conjunction with the classroom teaching team utilize standardized and authentic assessment data to create learning opportunities to advance children’s development and learning. Develop and maintain observation, technological and individualization skills required for assessment and lesson planning, including completing all assigned TSG modules and trainings. Establish and maintain a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies and procedures, Head Start standards, Ounce standards of conduct and state regulations.
• Classroom Environment: Assume responsibility for the management of the classroom during the Teacher’s absence. Ensure all children are always under appropriate supervision and no child is left unattended. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, perform and delegate child development and documentation responsibilities as needed. In conjunction with the teaching team maintain a classroom environment that reflects the use of “New Beginnings” and follows the guidelines of ITERS or ECERS. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, assume proper care and responsibility for your classroom.
• Parent Involvement: As assigned by the Lead Teacher, schedule and conduct Parent/Staff conferences and adhere to the parent/staff conference guidance policy. As assigned by the Lead Teacher, schedule and conduct home visits and adhere to the home visit guidance policy. In conjunction with the Lead Teacher encourage parent participation in the program, including participation in parent events, home visits, conferences and volunteering in the classroom. In conjunction with the teaching team and Family Support Specialists, plan and implement three classroom meetings. Hold friendly daily conversations with families