Early Childhood Substitute & Classroom Support

Position Purpose

To assist classroom staff and cooperate in a supportive role carrying out developmentally appropriate activities. To promote the health, nutrition and education of the children and to attend to their safety and welfare.

• Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day.
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals.
• Observe to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths and areas to grow.
• Utilize lesson plans at the direction of classroom staff, which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children.
• Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, three meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice making; ask open‑ended questions and listen respectfully to the answers.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
• Assist with meal service as needed.

• Monitor and manage behavior of children.
• Secure children in age/weight appropriate restraints.
• Communicate with families, including mail, sign‑off to authorized adults, cell phones and etc.
• Assist in emergency evacuation.

• Attend meetings, training's, and appropriate professional development activities when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

• GED/High School Diploma minimum with post high school educational coursework in Early Childhood Education/Development highly desirable.
• Demonstrated classroom ability, typically one year pre‑school classroom experience or equivalent.
• Strong communications skills, especially good listening & writing skills.
• Knowledge of typical behaviors/expectations of three and four year old children typically gained through a minimum of one year of relevant experience.
• Current enrollment in the Child Care Division-Central Background Registry.

• Ability to visually assess children's health and behaviors and make frequent significant decisions to assure their health and safety.
• Ability to apply developmentally appropriate practices for young children in a classroom, playground and bus settings.
• Frequent kneeling, bending at waist and neck, and sitting on floor also frequent getting up and down from seat to assist children on bus and in classroom.
• Occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs.) in classroom setting and assisting children into seats on the bus and the ability to carry or drag a child in an emergency situation out of a bus to a safe area.
• Occasional climbing to enter and exit a bus and sitting throughout bus routes.

• Percentages of job responsibilities may vary depending upon site needs and locations.
• Substitutes will remain on sub lists for entire program year (Aug 1, thru July 31).