Program Aide

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education services for young children, ages birth to five, and their families. The Center-Based program provides childcare and early childhood education services for children aged two to five.

The Program Aide shares responsibility for the health, safety, sanitation, and classroom organization components of the program, in line with Early/Head Start, Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) childcare licensing and Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal program requirements. Punctuality and attendance are critical to maintaining classroom continuity.

• Actively and enthusiastically support recruitment efforts to ensure that the program is fully enrolled year-round. Attend health fairs, resource fairs, and community events, including occasional evening and weekend events; canvass communities (parks, libraries, laundromats, local businesses, clinics, etc.) to connect with families and share information about early childhood programming.
• Ensure that the sanitary conditions in the classrooms and bathrooms are maintained.
• Sweep up floor area and wipe and sanitize tables, toys, and equipment as needed to maintain sanitation and safety.
• Deep clean and sanitize program/classroom areas as assigned.
• Complete daily laundry for program.
• Prepare and distribute classroom materials as directed by teaching staff.
• Ensure that cleaning supplies are secured in the classroom.
• Perform other duties deemed necessary.

• Ensure compliance with all Early/Head Start Program Performance Standards, including as interpreted by the Start Early (Grantee), and with relevant federal, state, city, and accrediting/licensing body regulations and requirements.
• Engage in Active Supervision strategies to support the safety, wellbeing, and appropriate supervision/oversight of children.
• Act in accordance with the program’s Standards of Conduct, building respectful relationships with families, honoring parents/caregivers as their children’s first and most important teachers, and maintaining strict child, family, and staff confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain updated knowledge on early childhood education and child development through in-service training, continuing education, and other professional development.

• Work and support the teaching teams in room set-up, classroom activities, nap time and meals.
• Encourage children to assist in set-up and clean-up, interest areas, activities, and meals.
• Actively participate in the classroom activities: interest areas, indoor/outdoor play, field trips.
• Supervise children during rest periods.
• Assist in moving children through the daily routine and activities.

• Approve time sheets and ensure compliance with agency and funder guidelines, ensuring that daily activities are within the allowable activities approved by the agency.
• Ensure that the Special Conditions list is accurate and current.
• As indicated, assist in completing incident reports and other administrative tasks.

• Nurture positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and outside stakeholders and partners.
• Implement the agency mission, philosophy, and core values to direct daily work and decision-making; adhere to agency policy.
• Cultivate a professional and respectful work environment.
• Be actively involved with, and knowledgeable about, the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) structure and process.

Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Will be subject to pre-employment screening that includes a medical, lift and drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills’ testing, where applicable.

The Program Aid must have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED). The program aide shall work under direct supervision of an early childhood teacher and shall not assume full responsibility for a group of children.

Bilingual Spanish…