Work Days: Monday – Friday (typically), varies by center
Supervisor: Site Supervisor
Job Summary:
The EHS/HS Center Aide, in conjunction with classroom staff is responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate educational atmosphere, where children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth. The Center Aide will assist in planning activities, developing appropriate lesson plans for the children and will work with the families to ensure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards sections 1302.30 – 1302.34, Subpart C, and Ohio licensing regulations in all divisions of the program
Specific Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
1. Adheres to and follows:
• All state child care licensing requirements including reporting child abuse, and following child health and safety procedures.
• All CAA of CC, Inc. & Head Start Program’s Policies & Procedures, including the Active Supervision Policy.
• Head Start Code of Conduct.
2. Classroom expectations (1302.31):
• Maintains a safe, healthy, and well-organized classroom learning environment.
• Works cooperatively with the Site Supervisor, EHS/HS Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Family Advocate to ensure the smooth operation of the classroom.
1) Assists in all classrooms at the site which are assigned by the Site Supervisor on a daily basis, depending on the needs of the day.
• Assists in maintaining ratio at all times.
• Implement the curriculum associated with the age group of the classroom, into all aspects of the child’s education including, health, nutrition, and mental health activities.
1) Assist the classroom staff in maintaining an Evidence Binder, including one piece of evidence for each indicator.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; ask open-ended questions and follow-up questions to promote further learning and thinking.
• Establish a positive classroom climate and respond to behavioral issues with appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.
• Assist classroom staff in getting materials ready for the day, before the children arrive.
• Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
• CAA Job Description Revised August 2020
• Work with all classroom staff to generate In-kind.
• Maintain accurate classroom attendance and meal counts.
1) Is aware of the number of children present and signed in on the attendance sheet at all times.
2) Is able to give the correct number of children present when asked.
3) Meal counts taken at Point of Service.
• Becomes familiar with any nutrition or health plans in place for the children in the classroom.
• Assume bus, kitchen, and janitorial duties, as needed.
3. Developmental and Behavioral screening requirement (1302.33):
• A BRIGANCE screening must be completed on each child enrolled in the program within the first 30 calendar days of attendance.
• A DECA must be completed on each child enrolled in the program within the first 30 calendar days of attendance.
4. Supporting families in their child’s education 1302.34):
• Support the role of families as the first and primary teacher of their children.
• Actively promote parent involvement in the child’s education process, health care, and the program.
• Assists with the recruitment process.
• Ability to handle situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
5. Maintains professionalism at all times.
• Adheres to the agency dress code. daily.
• Represents the agency in a positive manner.
• Maintains a positive attitude about their work and others during the work day.
• Assumes responsibility for meeting his/her individual professional development goals.
Education/Skills Qualifications:
1. Must have a high school diploma, or GED and be enrolled in CDA or college courses. CDA courses must be started upon the first available cohort.
2. Good written and oral communication skills.
3. Good computer skills.
4. Valid driver’s license/reliable transportation/automobile insurance coverage, and driving from site to site or trainings, etc.
Physical Requirements:
1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; run; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
2. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Working Conditions:
1. Work directly with children including the various noises and behaviors associated with children from birth to 5 years old.
2. Ability to work in a fast-paced and often high-stress environment making quick, sound decisions while maintaining calm in potential emergency situations.
3. Working with children, staff, and families who at times will require patience and support.
4. Exposure to cleaning supplies utilized in the site.
Additional Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
1. Pass all background checks to acquire an ODJFS Background Clearance for childcare.
2. Physical exam and drug testing (updated when requested by CAA of CC. Inc.).
3. Training in First Aid/CPR, Child Abuse, and Communicable Disease provided by program.
4. Continuing Education credits or units.
5. Initial 90 day job evaluation followed by annual job evaluations.