Teacher Assistant

The Infant/Toddler Early Head Start Teacher Assistant supports the classroom teacher in providing high-quality, responsive care and education to a group of up to eight infants and toddlers. Under the guidance of the Teacher, this position supports children’s health, safety, development, and learning in alignment with the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), NYS Child Day Care Regulations, and RECAP policies and procedures.

The Teacher Assistant supports classroom activities, responsive caregiving routines, family engagement, documentation, and the maintenance of a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. The Teacher Assistant may provide support across multiple classrooms as assigned.

• Assist the Teacher in preparing lesson plans and materials aligned with Creative Curriculum, the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), and NYS Early Learning Guidelines.
• Prepare classroom materials, organize learning opportunities, and support individualized plans developed by the Teacher.
• Assist in maintaining an organized, developmentally appropriate, and language-rich classroom environment.

• Engage in responsive caregiving routines, including arrival, feeding, diapering/toileting, rest, and transitions while maintaining appropriate supervision and safety.
• Facilitate teacher-directed and child-led activities that support physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.
• Maintain health and safety practices, including safe sleep, sanitation, supervision, and hazard checks, in accordance with HSPPS, OCFS regulations, and RECAP policies.
• Support family-style meals and infant/toddler feeding in accordance with CACFP guidelines and applicable allergy accommodations.
• Contribute to a positive, nurturing, inclusive, and language-rich environment.
• Communicate observations and concerns regarding children promptly to the Teacher.

• Greet and communicate with families in a welcoming, respectful, and professional manner.
• Support the Teacher in sharing child progress information and encouraging family participation in program activities.
• Support and participate in required home visits and family engagement activities as directed.

• Collaborate with the Teacher, Education Manager, Health and Family Services staff, specialists, and other program personnel to support individual child and family needs.
• Communicate relevant observations, concerns, and information to the Teacher and appropriate program staff.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.

• Assist with maintaining accurate daily records, including attendance, health checks, diapering/toileting logs, and incident reports.
• Assist with documenting child observations and maintaining child portfolios as directed by the Teacher.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with program and agency requirements.

• Participate in classroom observations, coaching, feedback sessions, and professional development activities.
• Support implementation of classroom and program improvements resulting from monitoring, coaching, and feedback.
• Participate in program self-assessment and continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.

• Work under the direct supervision of the Teacher and participate in required professional development and OCFS-mandated training.
• Maintain required certifications, including CPR/First Aid and Mandated Reporter training.
• Maintain an active Aspire Registry account and required…