Center Aide

Job Description

Job Description

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St. Anne’s Early Learning (St. Anne’s Children & Family Center)

St. Anne’s is a high-quality childcare center providing early learning experiences for children of all faiths. We are a program of Catholic Charities; however, our curriculum is not faith based and applicants do not need to be practicing Catholics to apply. We provide childcare and educational instruction for children ranging in age from 1 month through 6 years. We are an exemplary early learning center with highly educated and experienced staff who demonstrate professionalism and a passion for children. We are committed to meeting and exceeding all quality and educational standards for our center and for each child we serve.

Click the link below for a virtual tour of our amazing facilities, to learn more about our program, and to apply for open positions:

WE OFFER EXCELLENT BENEFITS:

• Safe and Sick Leave
• Discounted health memberships

CCEW Mission
Feed the hungry, heal the hurting, welcome the stranger.

CCEW is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, compensated and, if necessary, disciplined or terminated without regard to sex, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, religious affiliation, marital status, military veteran status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Job Summary

The Center Aide plays a key role in supporting the overall operations of the center by assisting with daily classroom activities, helping maintain a safe and welcoming environment, and providing support to the Lead Teacher and other staff members. This position offers the opportunity to gain experience in early childhood education while contributing to the growth and development of young children. is responsible for providing classroom support and assisting the Lead and Assistant teachers with all classroom activities and duties.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job.

1. Help prepare and organize classroom materials and activities.
2. Assist with setting up and cleaning up after activities, ensuring the classroom remains organized and tidy.
3. Support the Lead Teacher with daily routines such as nap time, meals, and transitions.
4. Provide general supervision of children during indoor and outdoor play, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment.
5. Assist in engaging children in age-appropriate activities, such as arts and crafts, games, or storytelling.
6. Encourage children to interact positively with peers, promoting social and emotional development.
7. Monitor children’s behavior and provide gentle guidance and redirection as needed.
8. Ensure the children’s safety at all times, following all health and safety protocols.
9. Assist with diapering, toileting, and handwashing routines as necessary.
10. Help maintain clean and sanitary conditions within the classroom, including toys, furniture, and materials.
11. Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing daily lesson plans and classroom activities.
12. Support other staff members with classroom management, including helping with behavior and providing additional attention to children when needed.
13. Communicate any concerns about the children or classroom environment to the Lead Teacher.
14. Greet children and families at drop-off and pick-up, offering a friendly and supportive presence.
15. Assist with parent communication by sharing relevant information about children’s behavior or daily experiences when appropriate.
16. Assist with other center-related tasks as needed, including preparing snacks, organizing materials, or helping with event coordination.
17. Participate in staff meetings and training sessions to learn and implement best practices in early childhood education.
18. Perform as a team member to ensure that productivity outcome measures are achieved.
19. Attend all mandatory staff meetings and designated in-service training.
20. Uses appropriate administrative, fiscal, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of CCEW client protected health information (PHI), per regulations outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
21. Will regularly utilize all forms of communication (email, text, phone, etc.) and database practices necessary for this position and as directed by supervisor.
22. As a mandated reporter, follows all procedures outlined in agency policies and procedures to report to the proper agency when there is suspicion and/or confirmation that a child or adult has been a victim of abuse or neglect.
23. Adhere to the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Doctrine.
24. Performs related functions necessary to support the mission and core values of Catholic Charities.

Job Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job.

Education/Experience:
to perform this job successfully, an individual must be at least sixteen years old, have a High School Diploma or a General Education Degree, or be currently enrolled in high school or equivalent education program. Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Associate of Arts (AA) or Applied Associate of Arts (AAS) in early childhood education, child development or related field preferred. Some knowledge and experience of child development and child development centers preferred.

Experience: Previous experience working with children, preferably in a daycare or early childhood education setting, is preferred. Knowledge of child development and basic classroom management skills are a plus.

Certificates/Licenses: to perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to successfully pass a Department of Children Youth Families (DCYF) background check and register in MERIT system. Completion of 30 hours STARS basic training required within six months of hire date if education and/or experience does not substitute. Food Handler’s Certification, BBP training, First Aid, and CPR, Proof of MMR Vaccination are required upon hire.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with children, families, and team members.
• Ability to take direction, follow through on tasks, and work as part of a team.
• Patient, caring, and enthusiastic attitude.
• Basic organizational skills and ability to multitask in a busy environment.
• Ability to maintain a positive and nurturing environment for children.

Physical Abilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to:

• Work is active in nature.
• regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Frequent kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, bending, lifting, and twisting.
• Frequently standing from sitting and/or kneeling position on floor.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Work is equally performed in indoor temperature-controlled office environment, and outdoor uncontrolled elements.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication with others.
• Requires communication ability necessary to understand instructions and recognize hazardous, unsafe or poisonous materials and/or products.
• Occasional exposure to fumes, dust, odors and/or biohazards.
• Frequent use of computers and exposure to terminal screens.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Clearly see 20+ feet, with or without corrective lenses and differentiate between colors (no color blindness), ability to focus
• Must complete a tuberculosis test
• Must be 16 years of age

Mental & Other Skills/Abilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the:

• Adaptability : ability to adapt to changes, delays or unexpected events in the work environment; ability to manage competing demands and prioritize tasks; ability to change approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Analytical Ability : ability to maintain focus for extended periods of time; ability to complete research projects with resourcefulness and persistence; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; ability to use intuition and experience to complement existing data.
• Attendance: ability to consistently arrive and be able to work as scheduled.
• Computer/Technical Ability :
  working knowledge of Word Processing software, Spreadsheet software, Internet software
• Dependability : ability to follow instructions, both in written and verbal format; ability to respond to management direction; ability to complete tasks on time or notify the appropriate person with an alternate plan when necessary.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to maintain satisfactory relationships with others, excellent customer service skills and a good overall understanding of appropriate human relations. Awareness of and sensitivity to the service population’s culture and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Judgment: ability to make prudent and timely decisions; ability to exhibit sound and accurate judgment; ability to explain reasoning for decisions.
• Language Ability: ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence; ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Mathematical Ability:
  ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Motor Coordination : the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, fingers, and feet accurately and handle precise movements.
• Problem Solving Ability : ability to identify and/or prevent problems before they occur; ability to formulate alternative solutions to problems when necessary; ability to transfer learning from past experiences to new experiences of similar nature.
• Quality Management : ability to complete duties, on time and with absolute precision, at least 95% of the time; ability to edit the accuracy and thoroughness of one’s work as well as the work of others; ability to constructively apply feedback to improve performance, ability to generate ideas to improve and promote quality in work.
• Reasoning Ability : ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions; ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Supervisory Skills:
  this job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Workplace Environmental Conditions

While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee will be:

• Noise Conditions: exposed during a shift to constant or intermittent sounds at quiet to moderate levels of sound dependent upon the activities of the Center
• Exposure to Trauma : Employees of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington provide direct services to vulnerable community members including those who have behavioral health challenges and those who have been exposed to trauma.
• Heat: subject to high temperatures
• Cold: exposed to low temperatures
• Atmospheric Exposures: exposed to dust, fumes, vapors, or mist