Preschool Teacher Aide

Full/Part-Time Preschool Classroom Teacher's Aide

Reports To: Lead Teacher, Curriculum Director, Assistant Director, and Director

Purpose: To aid and support the Lead Teacher in all aspects of the day-to-day activities.

Pay Scale: $10-$16

Note: The position of teacher aide may be regarded as a teacher training period.

Benefits: Half-off Childcare Insurance Benefits: Health, Dental, Disability, Life, Catastrophic Perfect Attendance Bonus Incentive Bonus Holiday Pay Vacation Pay Teacher Recognition Program Teacher of the Year Paid Training Family Referral Suggestion Bonus Cash for Recruits Managerial Program/Promotion from Within Tuition Reimbursement Free Uniforms

Minimum Qualifications:

• 24 hours pre-service.
• Must be at least 18 years old and be a high school graduate or be enrolled in an approved school program.
• Comply with all other requirements of Texas child care regulatory agencies.
• Be sensitive and mature and able to relate well to both children and adults.
• Demonstrated ability to follow directions, make good judgments, and be reliable and dependable.
• Physical constraints required include the ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid, the ability to see and read newsprint with or without corrective lenses, to speak and be understood under normal circumstances, to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds, and the use of arms, hands legs and feet with or without corrective devices to accomplish the job, including evacuation of the building during emergencies.
• After an offer of employment is made, produce a current tuberculin test that complies with minimum standards.
• Copy of high school diploma or G. E. D.
• Documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Able to respond immediately to any emergency situation.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Teaching/Supervising:

• Assists various teachers and groups as requested by the Primary Teacher.
• Shares the responsibility of supervising a class with the teacher or takes over the lead teaching role in the lead teacher’s absence.
• Plans with the Primary Teacher in advance and helps implement the activities, lesson plans, and program as well as special events.
• Helps set up areas in preparation for daily activities according to the lesson plans.
• Accepts responsibility for maintenance and housekeeping duties for the classroom, common-use areas, and playground areas.
• Observes all rules and regulations of Little Tyke and the local/state regulatory agencies pertaining to the health, safety, and care of children.
• Assist with meals, nap time, and bathroom routines.
• Offers every child physical affection, verbal praise, and acceptance, while providing clear and consistent expectations for children's behavior.
• Follows Little Tyke guidelines and teacher and direct supervision, in the correct use of positive discipline techniques.
• Assist in the evacuation of the building in an emergency and be able to respond immediately to any emergency situation.
• Comply with applicable universal precautions and infection control guidelines and procedures.

Conditions for Satisfactory Performance:

• Children in the class are well supervised and engaged in age-appropriate and enjoyable activities at all times.
• Regulatory agencies and/or parents present minimal areas of non-compliance or concern related to the aide's supervision of the children.
• Smooth transition time, successful learning activities, and generally happy children reflect the aide's contribution of planning and preparation to the overall program.
• Assigned maintenance and housekeeping duties are regularly completed.
• Promotes good hygiene amongst children daily (nose wiping, hand and face washing, etc).
• Required professional events are attended.
• Children appear happy and minimal parent concerns are expressed regarding the aide's work.
• Little Tyke's dress code is followed.
• All center records and reports are submitted, complete, and on time.
• Pattern of knowledge and ability is shown.
• Presents a professional code of conduct and appearance at all times while employed by Little Tyke.
• Classroom is attractive and cleaned daily.
• The equipment is in working order and minimal child injuries occur.
• The children are happy and busy in well-planned learning activities.
• Licensing representatives and parents present minimal areas of non-compliance and/or concern.

Classroom Management and Organization (partial list):

• What We Did Today Notes, Little Tyke Monthly Calendar, Field trip information, and other appropriate information for parents.
• With the direction from the lead teacher, requests new equipment and supplies; prepares materials needed for each day's program in a timely manner.
• Maintain a classroom that is safe, neat, clean, attractive, and ready for the children. The attractive classroom includes seasonal themes, mobiles, children's projects, teacher-made materials, labeled mats, and cubbies.
• Assists and instructs the children in personal hygiene such as toileting, hand washing, face washing, hair combing, etc.
• Serves and eats with the children, encouraging good manners and relaxed conversations, teaching by example, and assisting when necessary.
• Provides a restful atmosphere during rest time.
• Follows the Little Tyke disciplinary guidelines and handles disciplinary situations individually and monitors other teacher's aide staff regarding disciplinary situations.
• Interact with the children and encourage their involvement in group activities.
• Teaches children to maintain the equipment and the classroom and helps them to carry out this responsibility.
• Encourage the children to be imaginative and constructive when using materials and equipment.
• Provide constant supervision of the age group, that is, a child is never left alone.
• Accepts responsibility for maintenance and housekeeping duties of the classroom, common-use areas, and playground.
• Observes all rules and regulations of Little Tyke and local regulatory agencies pertaining to the health, safety, and care of children.

Professionalism:

• At the Director's request, attends scheduled staff meetings, workshops, or other meetings pertaining to the early childhood profession.
• Obtains a minimum of 30 hours of training per year in areas required by Child Care Regulation. All employees are cross-trained for all age groups to support all classrooms in the center.
• Displays a sense of humor, common sense, and emotional maturity in dealing with children and their families.
• Maintain the ongoing training required by the state.
• Presents a professional appearance.