Assistant Teacher (0-3 Year Old), (3-4 year Old)

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

The Assistant Teacher role provides daily care to children in a Head Start / Early Head Start (HS/EHS) classroom using nurturing child guidance techniques and building strong relationships with colleagues, children and families. The Assistant Teacher assists the lead teacher in maintaining a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment. The Assistant Teacher ensures that all regulations and mandates for federal, state, and local licensing are met and works collaboratively with team members and family members to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients' diverse needs, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam's standards of excellence at all times.

• Promote the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of each child in the classroom through engaging and play-based learning experiences.
• Demonstrate expertise in providing developmentally sensitive, evidence-based, hope-centered, and trauma-informed services and leadership to support the well-being of children and families.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Collaborate with colleagues to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment that promotes the well-being and safety of children in their care.
• Monitor children for signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbances, learning disorders, speech problems, or other special needs and promptly report any concerns to the supervisor.
• Ensure that the child-staff ratio is maintained at all times and collaborate with colleagues to achieve this goal.
• Model language expansion, extended learning, and problem-solving strategies to support the development of young children.
• Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences to share each child's progress with parents and engage them in their child's learning journey.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to involve all parents with the children and encourage their active participation in the program.
• Engage in ongoing professional development through education, role modeling, mentoring, training, and resources to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Implement the HS/EHS written curriculum plan to support the educational needs of young children.
• Maintain accurate and confidential record-keeping systems to ensure the integrity of information and support decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to determine individual needs of children, including those with disabilities or special needs.
• Ensure that all files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained.
• Participate in and attend all staff meetings, trainings, and certification courses as required.
• Travel locally as required to fulfill responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor or member of the Executive Team.

Education:

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Early Childhood Special Education (transcripts required)

OR

Oklahoma Certificate of Mastery in Early Childhood

OR

Infant/Toddler or Preschool Child Development Associate CDA  certification  AND early childhood development training or coursework

CPR/First Aid Certification (or within 30 days of hire), maintained throughout employment

• Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written
• Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft applications and the ability to master other software as needed
• Knowledge and Understanding of state and local childcare licensing requirements.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for our internal, external, and community members.
• Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload.
• Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities.
• Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job. 
• CPR/First Aid Certification (or within 30 days of hire), maintained throughout employment
• Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) certification

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. The employee must be able to interact closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods of time (up to 50% of workday). Occasionally must be able to move or lift up to 50 pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare.  

Work Environment

The employee will work in classroom environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic, characteristic to working with children ages 0-5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothing, and poor hygiene. Employee may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion. 

Other

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

• Advanced degree in Early Childhood or a related field. 
• Three (3) years of experience in Early Childhood Education or Head Start/Early Head Start
• In-depth knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• Familiarity with Child Plus. 
• Proficiency in NAEYC accreditation processes.
• Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills.
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking - ability to interact with children and families from multilingual 

• A Low Student to Teacher Ratio of 2:8
• No out of pocket cost for school supplies 
• Classroom planning and prep is included in your schedule
• Calm, inviting, and fun environment
• Training and educational best practices
• A team of experts partners with you to support children's families (i.e. Family Partner to provide support and resources, Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health, Inclusion Specialist, and more)
• Sunbeam's Child Development Associate Scholarship Program covers books, online/traditional classes, and CDA Credential Exam 

Sunbeam's Mission: Building brighter futures with all children and families. When all families can build a strong foundation for their children, we all have a brighter, healthier life.

Sunbeam continually aspires to be a recognized leader in early childcare and education, with specialized support for entire family systems. We consistently strive to strengthen the social service ecosystem in our communities. We seek to be advocates of the highest-quality services and ensure the sustainability of our work.

"Hope is the belief that tomorrow will be better than today, and that you have the power to make it so." - Chan Hellman, Ph.D.

Our Culture

Sunbeam is an employee-first organization to serve the community best.  Employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to grow. We believe when employees are inspired, motivated, and treated well, they provide great service to our families.

"Best Places to Work"

At Sunbeam we are in the "people development business", developing the people we serve as well as our staff. That's one of the reasons we're voted The Journal Record's "Best Places to Work" for the seventh year in a row.

Benefits

Sunbeam Family Services is committed to maintaining a benefits program that meets the needs of its employees and their families. The benefits package includes medical, dental, life, and disability insurance. In addition, employees have access to Sunbeam's confidential counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a 403(b) retirement savings plan, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid time off (PTO), flexible spending account, and education reimbursement. In addition, employees have access to Sunbeam's confidential counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Childcare is also available for children up to age three.

Family Positive Workplace

Sunbeam is proud to be recognized as a Family Positive Workplace by the Potts Family Foundation and the OK25by25 Coalition. This award recognizes businesses throughout the state who intentionally help their employees balance work and family responsibilities.

*Sunbeam requires COVID vaccination or an approved exemption based upon medical or religious reasons prior to starting employment.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws