Position Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the Center Manager the Classroom Aide is responsible to assist and execute daily activities and lesson plans for children. Incorporate child’s home/language/culture/ functionally in activities of the center. Provides opportunities and encouragement throughout the program for children to acquire and enlarge their vocabulary and provide a good language model by speaking clearly and distinctly on a level that children understand and respect. Distinguishing Characteristics Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to more than 4000 children, in center based and home based setting, at more than 27 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. Inspire provides services under various Federal and State Funded Programs with different regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to; Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistant Program (ECEAP) and Early Head Start (EHS). The agency is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children's first language is Spanish.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to more than 4000 children, in center based and home based setting, at more than 27 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. Inspire provides services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Early Head Start (EHS). The agency is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish.
Supervisory and Other Relationships
Position reports to the Center Manager and works closely with Center Staff, Parents and works with and around children.
Examples of Essential Duties and Accountabilities
The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.
1. Provides a safe and healthy learning environment for children. Learn state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards; to include hand washing, laundry, and housekeeping practices.
2. Actively participate with children in free play, mealtime, and classroom activities. Learn center procedures to received and discharge the children.
3. Enhances physical and intellectual competence in children by promoting physical, cognitive, language, and creative skills, including children who require special services.
4. Reinforces positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
5. Assist educational staff with visual supervision of children while outdoors; wash, dry, and distribute laundry to classrooms and kitchen. Clean classrooms after children’s meals and prep for naptime with placement of cots. Provides staff with breaks as assigned.
6. Assist kitchen staff to prepare, deliver, and retrieve food carts with items needed for meals/snacks/fieldtrips.
7. Daily completion of USDA meal count as assigned.
8. Shows interest in furthering professional growth by enrolling in ECE classes, attending staff meetings, workshops, seminars, and additional training on Child Development.
9. Learn educational screenings, identify, and refer children with potential high risk of health, disability, or behavioral concerns.
10. Incumbent may aid as additional assistant for children with special needs.
11. Maintains confidentiality of program and client related information at all times.
12. Perform all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
• Enjoys working with young children with ability to exercise patience;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Strong customer service focus;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse population;
• Ability to communicate in English and/or Spanish, write and read in English and/or Spanish;
• Willing to develop instructional skills in the field of child development.
These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, training and experience which would include at least six (6) months experience in a child care setting. The combination of education and experience will provide the competence and skills to perform the work of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
• Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate.
• Previous Head Start experience.
• English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency.
Position Requirements
Incumbents are required to have the following:
• Valid Washington State driver’s license or Identification Card (ID);
• Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);
• Current Food Handler card; (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to initial and periodic TB screen;
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to random drug screen;
• Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and
• Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis.