Description
SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION
The Preschool Assistant Teacher takes direction from and supports the Teacher in conducting classroom activities, maintaining classroom environment and supervising children. The Preschool Assistant Teacher may also assist in planning and record keeping as requested by the Teacher. This position also works with the Teacher to complete other classroom related duties as determined. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Classroom Operations

1. Assists the teacher with implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children.
2. Supports the readiness of children for school by assisting in developing their literacy, math, social emotional, early art, science and social studies skills, problem solving abilities, and approaches to learning.
3. Assists with developmental screenings within the specified timeframes.
4. Assists the teacher in implementing the daily schedule and weekly lesson plans.
5. Assists the teacher in implementing the daily schedule and weekly lesson plans.
6. Assists the teacher in data entry for children as requested.

Safety & Sanitation

1. Maintains a safe, clean, care-giving environment, practices good personal hygiene and hand washing, and assures the well-being and safety of all of the children in that environment.
2. Utilizes disciplinary measures appropriately as outlined in the Behavior Guidance Policies and Procedures.
3. Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such incident to the person in charge.
4. Provides for the physical safety of each child from arrival time until departure time.
5. Posts and complies with safety, sanitation and other guidelines for serving enrolled children (i.e., Child Care Licensing Standards, Head Start Performance Standards, Tri-Valley policy).
6. Assures that safety and sanitation policies and procedures are followed appropriately.
7. Assures that children are dressed appropriately for the weather and type of play in which they are engaged.
8. Assures that children are supervised at all times.
9. Have or obtain within 30 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment. Administer First Aid and/or CPR when necessary.

Physical Arrangement

1. Assists the teacher in planning and arranging an environment and room arrangement for children which is supportive and appropriate to meet their needs according to NAEYC's Developmentally Appropriate Practices and the Creative Curriculum guidelines.
2. Assists the teacher in creating developmentally appropriate and well-defined activity areas in the classroom.
3. Assists the teacher in assuring sufficient and appropriate materials are displayed in orderly and accessible fashion.
4. Assists the teacher in assuring indoor/outdoor areas are safe, secure, and provides a variety of opportunities for children to explore.
5. Assists the teacher in assuring physical environment is child-sized.

Communication

1. Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family.
2. Greets children and their parents/guardians warmly and with enthusiasm.
3. Maintains a cooperative attitude of working together with other staff, parents/guardians and volunteers in planning and implementing activities for the program/classroom.
4. Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice, and models this attitude and voice for parents/guardians and others working or volunteering in the program.

Schedules, Plans and Transitions

1. Implements transition activities to assist children with changes in the environment as determined by teacher.
2. Follow established routines to help children gain a sense of security.
3. Assists the teacher in creating intentional teaching opportunities in preparation for school readiness.

Individualizing

1. Assists the teacher in determining the needs of children and expedites services accordingly.
2. Assists the teacher in observations for individual children.
3. Assists in the planning and conducts activities with the child that creates a developmentally appropriate and varied range of opportunities to explore and experience which meet the individual needs of the child.

Parent Contact and Involvement

1. Assists in conducting parent conferences and home visits as requested.
2. Assist in providing ongoing contact with families via telephone calls, notes or visits, documenting activity on contact sheets.
3. Attends Parent Meetings as requested.
4. Helps arrange parent/guardian volunteers, welcome them and utilizes their skills in the classroom.

Requirements

1. Demonstrated competency to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions; plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children's progress across program standards.
2. Comfortable working with computers, willing and able to learn program specific systems as needed for position.

Preschool Assistant Teacher

1. A Preschool Child Development Associate credential (CDA) for preschool OR a state-awarded certificate that meet or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential.

Preschool Assistant Teacher in Training

1. At least 18 years of age.
2. High School Diploma or GED.
3. Ability to obtain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within 9 months of the start date of the CDA Individual Plan of Action. CDA coursework will be provided.