Assistant Teacher-Chums

Purpose:

To promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and families.

Position Objectives:

Comply with and utilize the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, State of Michigan Child Care Center Licensing Rules, the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten, GSRP Implementation Manual (GSRP funded), Great Start to Quality, Program Procedure Manual Guidance, 5 Year Grant, USDA/CACFP/MDE Requirements, and NMCAA Personnel Polices.

Act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

Assist in ensuring facilities are conducive to the welfare of children.

Ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

Assist in administering day-to-day operations.

Assist in child assessment and in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the classroom program and child assessment.

Assist in providing remote services when necessary, to support children and families in a home environment.

Assist in family engagement activities.

Be responsible for the general management of the center when the teacher is absent.

Commitment to making progress toward program goals on an ongoing basis.

Essential Functions:

Eligibility Recruitment Selection Enrollment & Attendance

Team with HS Recruitment and Health Specialist to recruit eligible children.

Assist teacher in providing orientation for each newly enrolled child as assigned.

Education and Child Development

Provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment using the Creative Curriculum, School Readiness goals, Early Learning Framework, Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), and Preschool Quality Assessment (PQA).

Conduct child developmental screenings within 45 days of enrollment and GOLD assessments three times a year.

Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect behavior using Conscious Discipline guidelines.

Assist the teacher in identifying a course of support for challenging behaviors using the Classroom Support Plan.

Support the teacher in using data and child outcomes from Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment reports. Teaching team and parent input are to be used for weekly lesson plans, IEPs, and individual and group planning.

Observe children and enter online objective anecdotal notes based off of the GOLD developmental expectations.

Must adhere to the NMCAA Early Childhood Guidance Policy and NMCAA Child Development Programs Code of Conduct.

Assist teacher in preparing and distributing monthly newsletters that include center news/events, how to access current NMCAA job openings, and information on child development with a focus on family literacy. Attach a calendar that lists the family engagement opportunities.

Assist with NMCAA substitute responsibilities.

Health

Assist in providing a safe and healthy classroom environment utilizing provided checklists to monitor compliance, including the Safe Environment Checklist.

Assist in developing, sharing, and implementing emergency procedures and safety protocols.

Assist in developing, sharing, and implementing appropriate Active Supervision practices to keep children safe during all activities, including indoor and outdoor supervision of children at all times.

Follow plans for specific health care needs and food allergies, including administration of medication procedures.

Maintain procedures and systems to ensure children are only released to an authorized adult.

Submit appropriate reports concerning incident, accident, injury, illness, death, and fire occurrences.

Ride the bus when needed to meet State of Michigan Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers and Head Start Program Performance Standard requirements.

Follow requirements for handwashing procedures, communicable disease reporting, and the Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Guidance.

Follow the Staff and Volunteer Mandated Reporting Policies.

Partner with teacher to implement the mental health plans put into place by mental health professionals for the children and families.

Follow USDA/CACFP/MDE and Head Start Nutrition guidelines.

Sit with the children during snack and mealtimes, share the same menu, and engage them in conversations.

Family and Community Engagement

Assist teacher in planning and implementing transition activities for the child and family in preparation for the child's next school setting.

Develop relationships with other professional agencies and area schools.

Attend curriculum and advisory meetings to partner with area schools as requested by supervisor.

Partner with teacher to encourage and mentor families to participate in their child's education.

Assist teacher in educating families about developmentally appropriate expectations for preschool-age children.

Assist in sharing safety and injury prevention tips and household safety checklists with families.

Assist in providing home visits and parent teacher conferences using the…