Teacher Aides have teaching responsibilities but always work with a credentialed staff member until their credential is completed. Understand and promote education and early childhood development as defined in Kids Incorporated’s Policies and Procedures, Early Head Start Performance Standards, FL Learning & Developmental Standards, School Readiness Goals, Accredited Preschool Program Learning Environment (APPLE) Standards, and Department of Children & Families Licensing Regulations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma upon hire and an agreement to complete the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) within 9 months of hire. 
• Experience teaching in an early childhood setting working with infants and toddlers preferred.
• Meet all state licensing mandated courses, First Aid and CPR certifications within six months of employment.
• Computer literate in Windows Microsoft Office (Outlook / Word) & learn Teaching Strategies Online.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Be in good physical health as documented by physician exam upon hire and update annually.
• Be in compliance with all background screening requirements and update every 5 years.
• Able to sit on the floor and/or ground outside to be actively involved with the children.
• Able to lift up to 30 pounds and to stoop, crawl, kneel, bend and stand for periods of time.
• Must have reliable transportation and able to travel by car, bus, plane, train.
• Available for paid evening and/or weekend meetings, training, or other work-related events.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment

• Report any safety hazards observed indoors and outdoors to the Site Director.
•  Detect and report signs of illness, discomfort and unusual behavior of children to the Site Director to be communicated to the Health and Disability Coordinator.
• Report suspected abuse/neglect to the Site Director and 1-800-96-ABUSE.
• Work in coordination with co-teacher and Head Teacher to complete paperwork relating to nutrition, illness, accidents/incidents, health assessments, and parent communication.
• Practice appropriate sanitary procedures to include sanitizing, cleaning, diapering/toileting, and hand washing.
• Assist children in developing self-help skills, schedules, and routines.
• Engage in family-style meals promoting school readiness skills in social-emotional interactions, self-help, personal care routines, language, and problem-solving. CDE-04
• Comply with all health and safe environment policies and procedures to meet the individual needs of the children.
• Assist in the daily maintenance of the center (refer to posted checklists)
• Clean and sanitize doorknobs, door frames, and light switches; 
• Empty, sanitize, and reline waste receptacles at least daily, more if needed;
• Spot clean wall surfaces, windows, and mirrors;
• Sweep sidewalk and trike path and keep playgrounds free of trash and debris.

B. Promote education and early childhood development

• Be familiar with School Readiness Goals in the domains of Social-Emotional, Physical, Language, Cognitive / General Knowledge, and Approaches to Learning. 
• Partner with co-teacher to implement lesson plans indoors and outdoors to encourage skill development through interactions, activities, and environmental setup supporting maximum child development and engagement.
• Actively engage with the children in small groups and individual activities daily. 
• Use daily routines and transitions as learning opportunities to support school readiness goals.
• Model appropriate behavior and positive guidance techniques.
• Model appropriate language and grammar skills. Encourage language with frequent one-on-one conversations at the child’s eye level and with nurturing tone and open-ended questions.
• Comply with guidelines and standards outlined in EHS Performance Standards, APPLE Accreditation, FL Learning & Developmental Standards, DCF Licensing Regulations, and Educational policies and procedures.
• Partner with co-teacher to implement the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, and I Love You Rituals to promote Character Development.
• Work in coordination with co-teacher and Head Teacher to utilize Teaching Strategies Online to conduct child assessment checkpoints and conduct an ongoing assessment to individualize planning (IDA) to meet the goals of each child’s development.
• Work in coordination with co-teacher and Head Teacher to utilize Teaching Strategies Online to maintain child’s portfolio and update essential information in order to promote individualization and on-going assessment (observation, documentation, planning-linking objectives to learning and family conferences);
• Schedule and participate in two home visits and two-parent conferences per child per program year for the purpose of communication, sharing, and support. Work in coordination with co-teacher and Head Teacher to partner with parents in setting school readiness goals for their child and developing individual plans.

C. Ensure a competent, purposeful program, responsive to individual needs

• Establish positive and productive relationships with children, parents, co-workers, visitors, and community partners complying with Kids Incorporated’s Code of Conduct and Confidentiality policies as well as all HR policies and procedures.
• Address problems in a positive manner and refer to the Site Director for clarification of center policies, as needed.
• Work in coordination with co-teacher to provide opportunities to involve parents in their child’s education, promote parent engagement activities and volunteering, and encourage parents to be an advocate for their child.
• Attend parent meetings, staff meetings, community meetings, etc., pertinent to the job, as assigned by Site Director.
• Coordinate with other teachers and content area staff to develop and maintain a “teaching team” concept in serving children and families.
• Work in coordination with co-teacher and Head Teacher to complete and maintain all records, reports, and all required paperwork in respect to deadlines.

D. Professional Development

• Comply with the Professional Development Policy to meet and maintain all required courses, in-service training, certifications, and credentials within the specific time frames.
• Attend training, conferences, and other educational opportunities pertinent to the job, as assigned by Site Director and mandated by licensing regulations.
• Able to apply knowledge gained from training to support education and early childhood development.
• Review and update Professional Development Plan on an ongoing basis throughout the program year with the Site Director. 
• Performs other related duties, as assigned by the supervisory staff.