Teacher's Aide

The Launchpad Preschool

Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Essential Functions

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Must meet basic requirements of local childcare regulatory agencies.
• Ability to relate positively with young children.
• Previous teaching or assistant teaching position with a public or private school system, a quality preschool, childcare center, or church nursery is preferred.
• Knowledge as a parent or in the previous work experience of the social, emotional and creative needs of young children.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations.
• Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time in connection with the supervision of children.
• Must be able to work shifts, holidays, early morning hours, and evening hours.
• Must be able to use an iPad, television, computer, and Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

• Maintains proper sanitation in classroom.
• Practices effective hand washing.
• Enforces safety rules.
• Sits with class to eat and serves in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Helps maintain meal roster.
• Flexible in job assignment and cooperative with leadership team and other team members.
• Involves group in general upkeep and tidiness.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Dresses appropriately according to dress code.
• Participates in team meetings - is prepared to discuss group and personal responsibilities (e.g.. class activities, lesson plans, parent interaction, and other delegated duties).
• Exhibits flexibility with other team members.
• Maintains positive attitude toward work, coworkers, children, and families.
• Knows general center routine and sees that it is followed.
• Helps lead teacher to integrate supplementary activities into the daily schedule that are age-appropriate and relevant to children’s learning.
• Helps lead teacher to make on-going observations of each child and routinely makes formal age-appropriate assessments of developmental progress.
• Helps lead teacher to accommodate special needs children.
• Helps maintain classroom arrangement to encourage children to participate.

Upon Employment

• Must have DCF Transcript with 40 hours completed within 90 days
• CPR, AED, and First Aid training, as required.
• Must complete all necessary company employment and payroll forms.
• Must have a fingerprinting and/or criminal investigation report completed and passed.

Personal Qualities

• Friendliness – Maintains a positive attitude towards others; alert to the moods and needs of others.
• Honesty – Truthful about hours, sick and personal leave, and other matters. Accepts responsibility for own errors. Respects the property of others.
• Integrity – Maintains wholesome interpersonal relationships free of gossip about other staff or parents.
• Punctuality – Keeps to the agreed schedule, arriving promptly and honoring time limits of relief periods.
• Dependability – Performs responsibilities as promised. Uses work hours for Center work.  Self-motivated. Doesn’t abuse privileges.
• Positive Attitude – Refrains from complaining openly. Discusses concerns privately with a Director
• Appearance – Neat, well-groomed, appropriately dressed, poised, and well-mannered. Adheres to guidelines of the staff handbook.
• Patience – Exhibits self-control in dealing with others and avoids uncontrolled or abusive tone of voice.
• Enthusiastic – Projects evidence interest in the job.

Relationships with Children

• Individualization – Shows awareness of concern for personal differences among individuals in dealing with each child’s needs, interests, and capacities. Helps each child feel comfortable and unique with an individual greeting, hug, or pat upon arrival.
• Knowledge – Plans various activities developmentally appropriate to each age and accomplishment level, fostering exploration, investigation, and creativity.
• Resourcefulness - Demonstrates creativity in designing programs and in the use of materials.
• Flexibility - Able to work with individuals and groups of children equally well.
• Professional Manner – Uses appropriate language and relates behavior to growth and development. Helps children build self-esteem.  Frequently bends to eye level when talking with children.
• Discipline – Provides guidance in a positive manner; uses non-punitive methods.
• Responsibility – Monitors and assesses, and watches child’s growth, development, and performance; notes changes; maintains appropriate records and provides reports.
• Tolerance – Treats all children equally, with respect, dignity, and empathy. Avoids prejudicial attitudes.
• Good Example – Portrays positive attitudes, including sharing, concern for others’ feelings, interest in individuals, cooperation, etc.

Professionalism

• Personal Growth – Committed to the idea of continuing personal and professional development. Pursues studies and/or reading to keep in the field of early childhood development.
• Loyalty – Supports the goals, objectives, and philosophy of Your Center Name. Adheres to policy and procedures.
• Integrity – Respects confidentiality of information.
• Cooperation – Committed to the concept of teamwork, shares ideas, materials, and services. Works in a comfortable manner with peers, supervisors, and assistants.  Offers guidance in positive ways. Willing to share responsibilities and assume others’ tasks in emergencies.
• Friendliness – Maintains a friendly but professional relationship with parents and co-workers.
• Tolerance – Treats all parents equally and without favoritism, accepting all at their individual levels. Respects others’ rights to their individual ideas and points of view.
• Receptive – Willing to accept and accommodate new ideas.

Overall Concern and Awareness

• Safety and Health – Gives primary consideration to the health and safety of the children at all times.
• Organization – Keeps materials and equipment well ordered, presenting a neat and attractive appearance in the facility.
• Responsible – Respects the use and care of materials and equipment, avoiding waste. Assumes personal responsibility for minor environmental problems overlooked by others.