Childcare Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor, and when appropriate, under the guidance of a teacher, assists in the instruction of children.  Adheres to the core values of the Agency; NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct for Early Childhood Practitioners and Professional Practice; Head Start Performance Standards; and required Head Start competencies.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

• Assist in developing weekly lesson plans which integrate activities that are developmentally appropriate for preschool children, reflect an integrated Head Start curriculum and philosophy, and comply with the Performance Standards;
• Recruits families for the Program as required by Performance Standards;
• Assist in developing and maintaining a safe and pleasing environment for the children which facilitates their ability to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually;
• Assist in screening each child using appropriate assessment tools, and apply the requisite knowledge and skills in translating those assessments into appropriate lesson plans to meet the needs of each child;
• Assist in developing Individual Education Plans for children with special needs;
• Assist in ensuring that daily hygiene needs are met by modeling such routines as tooth brushing, hand washing, use of the bathroom, and meal times;
• Assist in ensuring the safety of the classroom as well as the outdoor playground;
• Provide emotional support and encourage high self-esteem in the children;
• Assist in maintaining written documentation on each child in compliance with requirements for confidentiality;
• Assist in preparing monthly reports on attendance, excused absences, daily sign in/out sheets, in-kind, CCFP meal count, fluoride tracking, health and safety checklist, etc.;
• Complete forms such as Home Visit, Parent/Teacher Conference, Classroom Meeting, training reports and agendas, Ouch Reports, Field Trip Permission Slips, and milestones;
• Assist in conducting home visits and parent/teacher conferences;
• Collaborate with the classroom Family Service Assistant to ensure that the needs of the family are met;
• Prepare food for children's meal time, wash dishes, and maintain cleanliness of children's bathroom and classroom environment;
• Participate in family support team meeting and document necessary information in children's file. Attend mandated meetings and trainings;

• Assist in preparing reinforcement/supplementary materials to aid parents in home instruction;
• Participate in center level case management meetings as needed;
• All other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of appropriate child development theories and practices;
• Administering basic first aid.

Ability to:

• Ability to create and maintain a safe learning environment for children and others;
• To work effectively with parents, families, and childcare providers and be sensitive to the needs of culturally and ethnically diverse groups.

Training & Experience:

The following are typical ways of obtaining the knowledge skills and abilities outlined above. Twelve (12) units of early childhood education/child development including Associate Teacher Permit; fifty (50) days of three or more hours per day experience in an early childhood education setting within two years of application of employment. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in ECE/CD preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; demonstrated skills in written and oral communication.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

For Early Head Start:

Incorporated to what is listed above, and must have successfully complete at least three (3) semester units related to the care of infants and toddler and at least six (6) months experience in a licensed infant/toddler care center.

Certification in pediatric first aid and CPR must be met within 90 days of employment.  Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements regarding employment in a childcare center (fingerprints, TB, physical, immunizations, Associate Teacher Permit or higher).

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee may be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus to view documents.

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills and information; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with Association staff and others encountered in the course of work.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee works under childcare conditions.  The noise level varies from quiet (office) to loud (classroom or playground).