Child Development Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Full time position available - The Child Development Assistant helps plan, organize, and implement the operational and educational environment of the early learning center, including setting up the classroom and encouraging a learning environment by assisting in the implementation of the educational program. The program serves children of varying abilities, including children whom may have developmental delays, challenging behaviors, as well as typically developing children through sound learning opportunities. The assistant also ensures compliance with Missouri Child Care Licensing requirements.

Essential Job Functions and responsibilities :

Build positive trusting relationships with children, families, colleagues, and community representative to support children and families.

Assist with planning and managing a developmentally appropriate program that is warm, welcoming and supporting of health, safety, and growth of children in the program that fosters independence.

Guide children’s behavior in positive and productive ways

Promote children’s development and learning by encouraging routines, and activities that facilitate children’s growth and development

Observing children regularly and individualize the program based on these observations.

Redirecting behavior in positive and productive ways.

Continue to learn about children, families, and the field of early childhood education including participating in training, expanding skills and knowledge, learning new techniques and approaches.

Maintaining professional standards and being ethical, for example, including maintaining confidentiality of children and families, follow operational policies and procedures, and supporting a positive team interaction with all.

Teaching Assistants may be asked to be Bus Aides and perform the following duties :

Assist in boarding and exiting children

Plan for behaviors and assist in managing behaviors on bus route

Complete accurate attendance tracking through Procare app and Attendance Tracking Sheets.

Additional Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following :

Supervision of volunteers, visitors, and children in your classroom.

Understanding and being flexible in all areas to meet program needs.

Maintaining professional attitude at all times.

Attend all staff meetings and recommended training programs including CPR / First Aid, Medication Administration, Safe Sleep, Health and Safety.

Submit all required documentation by required deadlines.

Perform personal hygiene activities, if required.

Resourceful in accomplishing tasks and directives, and use common sense.

Be a model or guide for children in everything that you do.

Helping with general housekeeping tasks.

Other duties as assigned to accomplish Agency goals. This could be under unusual or emergency circumstances.

Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Commitment to providing quality services

Have a positive attitude while demonstrating dependability, promptness and responsibility

Demonstrate positive team interaction skills

Approaches others in a tactful a tactful manner, treats others with respect, accepts responsibility and follows through on commitments

Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Also required to bend, twist, stoop and kneel on a repeated base for performing essential functions of the position

Qualifications :

The individual must have the following :

This individual must be dependable, self-motivated with a warm and friendly personality, sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, able to relate well to children and families, and be willing to further their education and learning to enhance the educational program and the philosophy.

High school diploma or GED

Driver’s license and vehicle insurance preferred

Ability to pass a background and drug screening

Good written and verbal communication skills

Prefer one (1) year experience working with children

Prefer a minimum of nine (9) college credit hours in either early childhood, child development, youth development, child / family related courses; or a Current Child Development Associate credential or willing to obtain within a year

Physical requirements :

Heavy lifting (over 50 lbs.) on a repeated basis required for care of individuals for performing functions such as transferring. Also required to bend, twist, stoop, and kneel to perform the essential functions of the Child Development Assistant position.

Note : This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by Management.

We offer competitive benefits including insurance, supplemental insurance, PTO, and up to 3% matching that is 100% vested day 1 on your retirement for benefit eligible positions.