To assist the teacher and cooperate in a supportive role carrying out

developmentally appropriate activities. Assist in promoting the social, emotional,

physical and cognitive development of Head Start children. To ensure that the

child receives the school readiness skills needed to enter the public school system.

Assist in promoting parent engagement in all aspects of the program. Assist the

teacher in developing individual goals for children, provide on-going assessment

on progress of the child and facilitate transition into kindergarten.

Essential Job Responsibilities- Performance Indicators

Classroom

• Maintain child/staff ratio in the classroom and on the playground

• Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the

day.

• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups

and individuals.

• Assist in observations and record behaviors of children to assist the teacher

in the identification of each child's strengths and areas to grow.

• Utilize lesson plans 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 that includes small and large group

experiences, free choice time, music and movement,large and small motor

activities, developmental skills, mealtime and effective transitions between

activities.

• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation,

socialization, and choice making during classroom time. Ask open-ended

questions and listen respectfully to the answers.

• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parent engagement in

the classroom

Respond to crisis or emergencies that may occur. Provide first aid or CPR

in emergency situations; prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens and

access emergency services as needed.

Written Documentation

• Assist in maintaining accurate written records including assessments, child

outcomes, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other

required forms.

• Assist in filing current records in child's permanent enrollment record.

Collaborative Service/Home Visits:

• Participate with the teacher in regularly scheduled team meetings to plan

and deliver collaborative services across all components.

• Assist teacher in conducting two regular home visits and two parent

conferences for purposes of assessment and support, and to share

information on parenting, educational strategies and child's progress.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to HeadStart's policy

on confidentiality.

Miscellaneous

• Assist in general maintenance, cleanliness, disinfection, safety and

security of the classroom, outside play areas and the facility as a whole.

• Attend meetings,trainings and appropriate professional development

activities

• Assist in inventory of all site equipment in classroom and closet area.

• Drive or monitor on bus runs each morning and afternoon.

• Clean, sanitize and disinfect buses on a weekly basis.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required

• Must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or

• Must be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed

within two (2) years; or

• Must have an Associate or Baccalaureate degree or be enrolled in a

program leading to a degree.

• Excellent communication and listening skills.

• Knowledge of typical behaviors/expectations of three and four year old

children typically gained through a minimum of one year of relevant

experiences

• Teamwork is imperative and communication and fair labor divisions

between teacher and assistant must be mutual, equal and ongoing

Must have a valid Texas Driver's License; and must have or obtain a valid

Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

• Must have or be willing to obtain a CPR/First Aide certification.

• Must have a current Health Card with a negative TB skin test.

• Employment is conditional pending immediate enrollment in Child Care

Division-Criminal History Registry-Background Check.

• Must be able to pass a drug screening test.

Physical/Mental Abilities and Processes

• Assist in the supervision of pre-school children and ensure a safe learning

environment including the ability to monitor and respond to events going

on at all times, i.e.: classroom, outdoor play areas, and on field trips. This

includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to

children who are very active and may need restraint or redirection in order

to insure their safety of other in the environment.

• Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to any

emergency or crisis situation.

• Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to

children's needs.

• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

Position Information

• Nine month program year.

• Orientation and training required before opening day

Insurance

Sick Leave

Vacation

Pension

FICA

Worker's Comp