Teacher Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Infant/Toddler Early Head Start Teacher Assistant supports the classroom teacher in providing high-quality, responsive care and education to a group of up to eight infants and toddlers. Under the guidance of the Teacher, this position supports children’s health, safety, development, and learning in alignment with the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), NYS Child Day Care Regulations, and RECAP policies and procedures.

The Teacher Assistant supports classroom activities, responsive caregiving routines, family engagement, documentation, and the maintenance of a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. The Teacher Assistant may provide support across multiple classrooms as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Planning and Classroom Preparation

• Assist the Teacher in preparing lesson plans and materials aligned with Creative Curriculum, the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), and NYS Early Learning Guidelines.
• Prepare classroom materials, organize learning opportunities, and support individualized plans developed by the Teacher.
• Assist in maintaining an organized, developmentally appropriate, and language-rich classroom environment.

Program Implementation and Child Development

• Engage in responsive caregiving routines, including arrival, feeding, diapering/toileting, rest, and transitions while maintaining appropriate supervision and safety.
• Facilitate teacher-directed and child-led activities that support physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.
• Maintain health and safety practices, including safe sleep, sanitation, supervision, and hazard checks, in accordance with HSPPS, OCFS regulations, and RECAP policies.
• Support family-style meals and infant/toddler feeding in accordance with CACFP guidelines and applicable allergy accommodations.
• Contribute to a positive, nurturing, inclusive, and language-rich environment.
• Communicate observations and concerns regarding children promptly to the Teacher.

Family Partnerships

• Greet and communicate with families in a welcoming, respectful, and professional manner.
• Support the Teacher in sharing child progress information and encouraging family participation in program activities.
• Support and participate in required home visits and family engagement activities as directed.

Communication and Service Coordination

• Collaborate with the Teacher, Education Manager, Health and Family Services staff, specialists, and other program personnel to support individual child and family needs.
• Communicate relevant observations, concerns, and information to the Teacher and appropriate program staff.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.

Record Keeping and Documentation

• Assist with maintaining accurate daily records, including attendance, health checks, diapering/toileting logs, and incident reports.
• Assist with documenting child observations and maintaining child portfolios as directed by the Teacher.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with program and agency requirements.

Ongoing Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Participate in classroom observations, coaching, feedback sessions, and professional development activities.
• Support implementation of classroom and program improvements resulting from monitoring, coaching, and feedback.
• Participate in program self-assessment and continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.

Professional Development and Staff Support

• Work under the direct supervision of the Teacher and participate in required professional development and OCFS-mandated training.
• Maintain required certifications, including CPR/First Aid and Mandated Reporter training.
• Maintain an active Aspire Registry account and required professional development documentation.
• Support classroom volunteers under the direction of the Teacher.
• Assist with volunteer activities and accurate documentation of volunteer participation and in-kind contributions.

COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Head Start Employee Expectations

• Uphold RECAP and Head Start values and contribute to a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Cooperate with coworkers and provide assistance, information, and support as needed to ensure quality services to children and families.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, committee meetings, program activities, and other agency or program-wide functions, including occasional evening activities when required.
• Comply with RECAP Personnel Policies and Procedures, including requirements related to confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance, dependability, professional conduct, customer service, appropriate workplace attire, responsible use of agency resources, and workplace safety.
• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, professionalism, and responsibility in the performance of assigned duties.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, goal setting, feedback, and performance improvement activities.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability when responding to changing program needs.
• Demonstrate initiative by identifying and addressing job-related needs within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable Head Start Performance Standards and NYS regulations.
• Remain informed about changing community needs, available services, and agency resources that support children and families.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and sound judgment.
• Maintain confidentiality of child, family, employee, and organizational information.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with children, families, coworkers, vendors, community partners, and the public.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team while demonstrating appropriate initiative and responsibility.
• Support a safe, inclusive, respectful, and child-centered environment.
• Support RECAP's mission, values, and commitment to providing quality services to children and families.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a Head Start/Early Head Start classroom and may include office and field environments. The position may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, active classroom environments, and routine cleaning and maintenance activities.

Travel between program sites and occasional overnight travel for required training or conferences may be required.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

RECAP is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the organization.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

RECAP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. RECAP reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities as business needs require.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED.
• At least one year of experience working with infants and toddlers in a licensed setting. Documented volunteer experience exceeding 1,380 hours may be accepted.
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable NYS OCFS child-care regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including low-income families, children with disabilities, and English-language learners.
• Ability to work professionally both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to perform assigned duties safely and efficiently.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 40 pounds and frequently stand, sit, bend, and stoop.
• Ability to comprehend assignments, prioritize workload, multitask, problem-solve, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate professionally with staff, families, children, and the public, including when handling confidential information.
• Ability to successfully complete required physical examination, background screening, fingerprinting, and applicable program clearances.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 40 pounds.
• Frequent standing and walking.
• Ability to sit, bend, stoop, and climb stairs.
• Ability to perform required physical functions of the position safely and effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must maintain all required professional credentials, certifications, and registrations necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Must maintain required certifications, including CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter training, and any other applicable program certifications, in good standing.
• Must maintain an active Aspire Registry account and required professional development documentation.
• Must successfully complete required pre-employment background screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete required fingerprinting and applicable child-care, Head Start, SEL, SCR, and other required clearances.
• Must successfully complete the required pre-employment drug screening and receive satisfactory results in accordance with RECAP policies and applicable requirements.
• Must successfully complete any required physical examination, health screening, or other applicable health clearance.
• Must maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Must complete required agency, Head Start, Early Head Start, OCFS, health and safety, and departmental training.
• Must comply with all RECAP policies, procedures, program requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Must comply with applicable Head Start Performance Standards, NYS OCFS requirements, CACFP requirements, and other program-specific standards.
• Must maintain confidentiality of child, family, employee, and organizational information.
• Must exercise appropriate discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Must maintain proficiency with required agency systems, databases, software applications, and electronic documentation tools.
• Must successfully complete any required agency-specific training, credentialing, or compliance requirements.
• Must participate in required staff meetings, professional development, program activities, monitoring activities, and other agency initiatives.
• Must be available to travel between program locations and attend required training or conferences when assigned.
• Must perform other job-related duties as assigned.