Head Start Teaching Assistant

Full-time - 37.5 hours per week / 42 Weeks Per Year

Monday through Friday – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Pay Rate: $17.26 - $22.19 per hour

Help little learners do big things! Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and families as part of a caring classroom team.

Bring Your Energy, Care, and Creativity to the Classroom

Team Up to Make a Difference: Work alongside the teacher, classroom aide, and support staff to bring daily activities to life and create a consistent, welcoming place for children to learn.

Make Meaningful Connections: Help meet the individual needs of children and families, offering encouragement, care, and support that make a difference each day.

Step Up and Keep the Day Moving: When the lead teacher is absent, assist with classroom responsibilities and help keep familiar routines and daily activities on track.

Spark Curiosity Through Play: Engage children in meaningful activities, encourage discovery, and help create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment where learning can flourish.

Help Children Feel Safe and Supported: Supervise children, offer encouragement, and support their well-being throughout the school day.

Sound Like You? You’re dependable, flexible, and caring. You enjoy being part of a team, bring a positive attitude, and have a passion for helping children learn and grow. Bring those qualities to a role with a meaningful purpose!

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with implementing the classroom curriculum and supervising children according to appropriate Early Childhood principles.
• Leads small group activities, circle time activities, lunch and work time activities.
• Writes small group plans until otherwise indicated by Center Manager and/or Education Coordinator.
• Assists with monthly MBO report, center newsletter and similar materials.
• Assists with completing Work Sampling Assessments.
• Assists with all daily paper work such as attendance, volunteer sheets, lunch count, incident reports, etc.
• Gathers and prepares materials to be used in the classroom.
• Records children’s observations as assigned using the High/Scope Curriculum technique.
• Completes MAT training and administers medication according to policy as needed.
• Participates in all Head Start and/or Day Care meetings and trainings for skill maintenance and enhancement including total staff, mandatory trainings and required annual updates.
• Assists in home visits and parent/staff conferences.
• Conducts daily health checks of children including weekly head checks.
• Assists with developmental screenings. (ESI and ASQ).
• Attends and participates in required evening training/parent orientation session.
• Assists with data entry/input for Work Sampling Online System for reporting child assessments.
• Assists in implementing related curriculums (Second Step, Zoophonics etc.)
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have the ability and desire to work with low income children and families, have an understanding of Early Childhood philosophy and the principles of inclusion for children with special needs.
• Must be able to work well with preschool children.
• Must be able to work well in a team-teaching atmosphere.
• Must exhibit good judgment and be organized, flexible and professional.
• Must be able to work with others in a warm, non-judgmental manner and be a positive role model to children, parents and classroom assistants.
• Must have good communication skills and be able to follow oral and written directions.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver's License with driving record within Agency policy and have access to reliable transportation.
• Must have acceptable physical and mental health to carry out the responsibilities of the position including lifting and participating in activities with children at their level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED/HSE; and
• Enrolled in a Child Development Associate Credential program to be completed within two years of hire into a TA position; or
• Enrolled in a program leading to an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree to be completed within two years of hire, and
• A minimum of 3 months experience in a pre-school setting experience.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and help children learn, grow, and succeed!