C002, EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER ASSIST

Overview

Primary responsibility, under the guidance of the Teacher, is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourage their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development through designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Creative Curriculum, and ExceleRate Illinois. 

Qualifications

Education:

• Must have high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED).

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry member
• Provide 3 letters of reference per DCFS requirements
• Hold or be able to obtain, within 90 days, First Aid/CPR certification

 

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in child care, early childhood, and child development or related required.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Maintain 20 hours of in-service hours each fiscal year, 5 hours must be from a Gateway Registry-approved training.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

Interaction between staff and children:

• Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children.  Speak in a friendly, calm, soft and courteous manner within close proximity of the child. 
• Respect and observe children’s interests.  Intervene when needed to maintain safety.  Enhance children’s play with language, toys and activities. 
• Communicate directly with each child at the child’s level.
• Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines.  Take every opportunity to positively extend children’s thinking and actions. 
• Be available and responsive to children’s needs, questions, and requests.
• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate. 
• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
• Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s behavior according to Memorial Child Care’s Guidelines for positive discipline. 
• Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.

Curriculum:

• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum based upon the guidelines set forth in the Creative Curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children.
• Assist in the design of an environment which responds to children’s individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs and current interests through the use of Creative Curriculum.
• Foster positive self-concepts by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices. 
• Encourage creative expression.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences which reflect both center and global communities.
• Share ideas in planning a daily schedule which provides a balance of activities using the Creative Curriculum lesson plan.
• Assist in the documentation of children’s accomplishments through anecdotal notes, observations and portfolios.

Faculty/Parent Interactions:

• Acknowledge parents and all classroom visitors.  Demonstrate a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
• Respond to parents’ comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect.  Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in a Primary Care giving relationship with individual children and their families.
• Share appropriate information with parents on a daily basis regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care.  Utilize appropriate written communication tools as assigned.
• Assist in the planning and attend center/classroom events and meetings.

Physical environment, health safety and nutrition:

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the center.
• Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals. 
• Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.
• Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e. accidents, medication, etc.).
• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean and attractive.  Encourage respect for classroom materials.  Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
• Assist in arrangement of space in clearly defined, well or