Job Summary:

Incumbent provides for the establishment, maintenance, and management of classroom activities and providing those services necessary to meet the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families of Enrichment Services Program.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group. 

• Staff interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.  

• Staff respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.

• Staff communicates directly with each child at the child's level.

• Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.

• Assist and be responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.

• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.

• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.

• Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to NAEYC.

• Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.
• Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and daily schedules.

• Assist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.

• Recruit volunteers and solicits in-kind contributions.

• Attend meetings, trainings and workshop as required.

• Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.
• Serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families and children.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition:

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.

• Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.

• Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.

• Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.

• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).

• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.

• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.

• Assist in arrangement of space into clearly defined, well organized activity areas.

Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education OR in a related field (Child Development, Elementary Education, etc.) and minimum one year DECAL experience working with children from birth to 5 years of age.( Masters preferred)

Essential Mental Functions:

• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and staff.

Benefits 

We value our team members and are pleased to offer a flexible benefits package for all eligible employees. Our package includes:  

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance  
• Life Insurance (50,000)
• Voluntary Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
• FSA – Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Generous Paid Time Off (Sick, Personal, and  Holidays) 
• 401(k) Plan