Early Learning Center Caregiver Aide - Broken Bow

Schedule

• Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm
• JOB
• SUMMARY: The Early Learning Center Caregiver Aide assists in creating and managing an attractive, warm, and challenging learning environment for infants and toddlers, incorporating appropriate early intervention, learning and care activities which meet the needs of the group as well as those of individual children and families. Must have the ability to read, speak and write with proficiency in the English Language. Provide and maintain a safe environment. Maintain regular attendance. The Caregiver Aide will assume responsibility for continuing pre-planned classroom activities in the absence of the Teacher/Caregiver; administer planning instructional activities and evaluate children as directed by the Early Learning Center Teacher/Caregiver. This is a Safety Sensitive position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Adhere to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) standards; where applicable. Assists in implementing EHS/EHS-CC curriculum and Early 1--lead Start Performance Standards for Early Head Start and Early Head Start— Child Care/Early Learning Center classrooms. Provide input into preparation of appropriate daily lesson plans in advance that include both indoor and outdoor activities; are individualized and based on the infants/toddler's own needs, interest and schedules; and, include multicultural educational materials and activities, family-style meals and other elements, as appropriate. Assist in organizing the classroom according to developmental levels and individual needs of the infant or toddler, ensuring; the development of trust and emotional security; opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences; opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression; and opportunities for gross and fine motor development. Assist in ensuring infant and toddler classrooms are homelike, safe, sanitary, and free of clutter. Assist in organizing the classroom in rudimentary learning centers that are well defined, rotating materials routinely to create a stimulating environment. Provide for diaper changing and toilet training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary and developmentally appropriate manner. Promote the development of secure relationships with infant/toddlers assigned by assuring primary and continuity of care. Relate to infants and toddlers in a calm, caring, nurturing, soothing manner, responding to all cries, babbles and talks, using appropriate child guidance techniques at all times. Stay involved with the children at all times during the day. Assist Teacher/Caregiver with training parents and volunteers in planning and implementing appropriate activities. Substitute in classrooms as needed. Assist in maintaining a clean, safe learning environment at all times. Provide meals and snacks to the children according to their age, development and needs. Feed infants according to their home schedule, hold them every time they are fed, and share information about their eating with their parents daily. Assist with family style dining with toddlers when they are ready and implement according to program policy and procedures, CACFP (Child and Adult Food Program) and Early Head Start Performance Standards. Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the center, a positive home-center connection and a family partnership. Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and sends activities home that parents can do with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning. Encourage parents to become involved in workshops, training and other Head Start/Early Learning Center activities. Maintain and assist in maintaining accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports and other record keeping and reports, as required. Keep all records and family information confidential. Participate in program training, weekly staff meetings, and case management meetings. Assist with maintaining supplies. Smoking is not allowed on LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. property. Additionally, no vulgar language is allowed. Cell phone use will be limited to emergency use only. Must be able to sit and eat with children at mealtimes sharing the same menu. A physician's statement must be obtained for special dietary needs. Pleasant child-oriented conversation should take place during mealtimes. No sodas, tea or other drinks other than water is allowed to be consumed while children are present. Maintain an environment that is tolerant and respectful of child and family cultures, values and differences. Assist Non-English-speaking families. Provide all information requested for program documentation in a timely manner. Assist other staff with projects as requested. Perform other duties as assigned and reasonably within scope of duties listed above. Recruit on behalf of Head Start/Early Learning Center by following recruitment procedures. Post flyers, signs and Head Start applications in the community. Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops and conferences as the budget allows. Attend and participate in in-service training and any other training, meeting or workshops as deemed necessary by the Early Learning Center Program Director or the Executive Director. Become knowledgeable and maintain an understanding and support the philosophies, theories and the mission of Head Start and Early Learning Center and LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. The listed functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform. Nothing herein restricts management' s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Such other dues as may be assigned. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Early Learning Center Caregiver Aide works under the supervision of the Center Director and exercises no supervision over other employees. OUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or GED. Obtain an Infant/Toddlers CDA (Child Development Associate) within one (1) year of hire and take the necessary steps to maintain the CDA. Obtain and maintain First Aid and Infant/toddy CRP certification within 90 days of hire. 4. Obtain required criminal record check clearance prior to hire and during employment as required. Must not have pending charges, have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or have been convicted of; any criminal activity involving violence against a person; child abuse or neglect; possession, sale or distribution of illegal drugs; sexual misconduct; or an act of gross irresponsibility or disregard for the safety Of others or a pattern of criminal activity; or required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act or any person required to register under the Mary Rippy Violent Crimes Offenders Registration Act. Must provide documentation of physical health examination; obtain an annual health exam and TB screening. Possess an understanding of the needs of low-income families and an appreciation for the role of the parents as primary educators of their children. Must have reliable transportation, valid driver's license and auto insurance. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with people; possess excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills. Be patient, able to resolve conflicts, be gentle, kind, creative, and resourceful. Possess detail and multi-task orientation with a strong desire to succeed and be able to cope well with stress. Constantly must be able to sit/stand in a stationary position 50% of the time; stoop, bend, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, type, reach with hands and arms, occasionally required to stand or walk on uneven surfaces, and climb stairs, run short distances, crawl on floor with children. Frequently must be able to move about inside the center to access classroom and/or office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Frequently must operate a computer and other office productive machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Frequently must communicate with staff and others who have inquiries about the program. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Occasionally must move/carry items weighing up to 30 pounds or more. Frequently must be able to lift at least 30-40 pounds and lift arms above shoulders. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasionally must spend time daily sitting on the floor with children. Constantly must visually monitor the behavior, learning, and activities of children. Work in an enclosed facility, classroom and office environment; floors may be vinyl tile or carpeted. May come in contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion. Occasional home visits are conducted in family homes. I have read and understand the job description listed above. My questions have been answered. I am fully qualified for this position and can perform the duties as described. I understand that this is not an exhaustive list of all my duties and responsibilities. I understand that Management (and no other) reserves the right to revise this job description as deemed necessary. LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer. The functions, qualifications, requirements, and physical demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the employee must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. As an equal opportunity provider and employer, LCAA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their job duties/functions. The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the employee may perform. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and its amendments.