Center Aide

Center Aide

Explore a multifaceted role working under the guidance of our Education Specialist. You'll find excitement in the diversity of tasks that may lead you to multiple locations within our center. Your primary role includes providing support in the classroom, ensuring a safe playground environment, and fostering the health, safety, and school readiness of our young learners. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to contribute to transportation, kitchen operations, family services, and developmental specialties.

Join our mission to excel in the following key areas:

• Compliance Champion: Adherence to all supervision, safety, and health policies and procedures is paramount.
• Watchful Guardian: Actively supervise and engage with children, ensuring their safety and well-being, and working closely with teachers.
• Nurturer of Growth: Foster a supportive environment where children can develop and practice appropriate behaviors individually and in groups.
• Development Dynamo: Promote children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and language development through culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Positivity Ambassador: Create a classroom environment defined by positive, warm, caring, and respectful interactions with children.
• Child Advocate: Demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to children's emotional, physical, and educational needs, fostering freedom of expression and autonomy.
• Learning Enabler: Collaborate with teachers to engage children in activities and maintain a classroom that offers ongoing learning opportunities.
• Bilingual Promoter: Recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths and encourage practices that support dual-language learners.
• Nature's Educator: Encourage learning through interaction with nature and the natural environment.
• Supporting Inclusivity: Assist in implementing suitable learning activities for children with IFSPs and IEPs.
• Linguistic Role Model: Set an example by using proper grammar, maintaining an appropriate voice level, and speaking clearly.
• Hygiene & Cleanliness Advocate: Support classroom sanitation and cleaning schedules.
• Nutrition & Safety Enforcer: Strictly adhering to CACFP rules, ensuring sanitation during mealtimes and following guidelines for family-style meal service.
• Feedback Recipient: Be open to feedback and act based on recommendations from supervisors and advisors, proactively seeking training or assistance when required.
• Caregiving Support: Comfortably and safely assist with physical caregiving tasks, including lifting children, changing diapers, feeding infants with bottles, and sitting on the floor during activities or circle time.
• Center's Backbone: Embrace additional responsibilities that contribute to the center's objectives.

At Centro de la Familia, we are not just educators, we are dream builders. Our warm, vibrant environment is designed to cultivate curious minds, explore boundless possibilities, and create lasting memories. We believe that every child is a unique story waiting to be written, and we take pride in walking alongside families as trusted partners in early learning and development.

Just as we nurture the potential of every child, we are deeply committed to supporting the growth and success of our staff. At Centro, you're more than an employeeyour part of a mission-driven family that values your voice, your expertise, and your well-being.

Why you'll love working with us:

• Great Pay & Benefits We offer strong compensation and comprehensive benefits to support your health and financial well-being.
• Professional Growth Access to continuous training, certifications, and clear career development opportunities.
• Supportive Mentorship Work alongside experienced mentors and coaches who are invested in your success.
• Work-Life Harmony A positive, respectful workplace that values balance and healthy boundaries.
• Wellness & Inclusion Thrive in a culture that prioritizes wellness, connection, and a strong sense of belonging.
• Recognition & Appreciation Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed we celebrate your contributions regularly.

We are passionate about our work and the incredible children and families we have the privilege to support. We have been dedicated to Community and Family Engagement since 1975, have been operating Head Start Programs since 1991, and have experience managing programs in challenging, isolated, and underserved areas. Our curricula and programs are rooted in science, and we are committed to the professional growth of minority communities. Plus, our team includes bilingual and bicultural staff to ensure inclusive and culturally sensitive care.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old to embark on this journey.
• This entry-level position welcomes candidates with or without prior education or experience. What's most vital is your enthusiasm to work with children, including those with special needs and limited English proficiency.
• Physical demands entail extended periods of walking, standing, kneeling, crouching, as well as the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• You should also be comfortable sitting on the floor, crawling, running, and performing tasks associated with caring for children aged 0-5.
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English is a plus.
• While a high school diploma or GED is highly preferred, possessing a CDA (Childhood Development Associate) within the first six months or an AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field is even more advantageous.
• Be prepared to present current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handler's permits or acquire them within 30 days of hire.