Daycare Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

• Full time only availability
• 40 hours/week
• Assistant teacher in a preschool classroom
• Schedule 7:30-3:30 or 8:30-4:30

Position Statement: The Daycare Teaching Assistant assists in the daily operation of the infant or toddler classroom in a daycare setting. This person works under the direction of the Daycare Teacher and is responsible for sharing in the planning and daily programming for children in care. The Daycare Teaching Assistant cooperates with the Daycare Teacher to ensure a nurturing and developmentally appropriate atmosphere that is responsive to children’s needs and supports children’s growth in all developmental domains. The Daycare Teaching Assistant is equally responsible for the safety and well-being of children in the infant or toddler daycare room.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a nurturing, orderly, predictable and safe classroom and center environment.
• Assist with the planning and implementation developmentally appropriate activities for both inside and outside (weather permitting) the classroom and that promote the physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of the children.
• Maintain awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of all children in the room at all times.
• Actively engage with children through conversation and play at all times of the day, in a way that is developmentally appropriate and on their level (e.g., on the floor).
• Complete all daily functions of the classroom, including, but not limited to, setting up of activities, feeding, toileting, and cleaning. 
• Utilize positive behavior management strategies for effective functioning of the daycare room.
• Develop professional, positive, and productive relationships with children, families, agency staff, visitors, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Express a supportive and caring demeanor to relate sensitively to children, families, and program staff.
• Assist the Daycare Teacher to monitor children’s development with periodic developmental assessments, and to identify any concerns about development that may arise.
• Communicate effectively with parents with regular feedback regarding their children, through daily contact, written correspondence, and/or parent conferences.
• Cooperate with other staff members to maintain standards of professionalism throughout the center.
• Attend training/conferences for continuing professional development.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Department & Program Specific Responsibilities:

• Follow all State Education regulations and OCFS Daycare licensing regulations, as well as Elmcrest program policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Elmcrest’s Core Values & Competencies:
  • Honesty: Act with integrity and behave in a manner consistent with our policies, Code of Conduct and any regulatory and ethical guidelines. Utilize practices and techniques professionals train to interact with children, families and co-workers appropriately.
  • Willingness to Learn: Open to new experiences and learning new skills and information that can improve professional development, progressive work environments and support the mission of Elmcrest.
  • Dedication to Purpose: Display the necessary passion and empathetic abilities to serve the Elmcrest mission. Committed to improve the lives of children and families.
  • Social Concern: Value human dignity and have respect for others. Actively seek out diverse approaches and points of view.
  • Self-Examination: Systemically observe, analyze and utilize self-reflection to improve actions or results. Listen to constructive feedback and concerns and maintain positive relationships in the workplace.
• Competencies:

• Experience with young children.
• Ability to present with warmth, nurturing and kindness.
• Willingness to be a team player and work in a collaborative teaming environment.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of OCFS Daycare regulations preferred.

• Required Education and Experience:
  • High School Diploma or GED required.
  • Associates degree or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or other related field preferred.

Essential Job Qualifications:

• Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to sit, squat, crouch and stand for elongated periods of time.
• Ability to lift arms over head in upward reaching motion.
• Ability to walk up and downstairs up to several times per day.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Elmcrest Children’s Center prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Accommodations: Elmcrest Children’s Center will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Elmcrest Children’s Center. Contact Human Resources with any questions or requests for accommodation.

At Will Employment: Your employment with Elmcrest Children’s Center is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Elmcrest Children’s Center, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time. Nothing in this job description or in any other policy of Elmcrest Children’s Center shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the at-will employment status of Elmcrest Children’s Center employees.