EHS Class Aide

EHS Class Aide

The Class Aide is responsible for providing additional daily assistance in the Early Head Start classroom. A Class Aide may function as a disability aide, providing one-on-one attention to a child that has special needs or requires additional assistance. The Class Aide will work alongside the Lead Teacher and Teacher to provide an educational environment for all children enrolled in the Early Head Start classroom.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Working as a team with other teaching staff and assisting with daily activities in the Early Head Start center as required.
• Assisting with special needs children, as well as other children in the Early Head Start classroom. Assist in classroom, bathroom, mealtimes, playground, and field trips.
• Assisting with documentation of required paperwork for children with special needs.
• Assisting with maintaining a clean and safe environment.
• Reporting all accidents to supervisor immediately.
• Participating in appropriate Early Head Start training. Attend parent committee (Team Builders) meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
• Ensuring that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures.
• Working cooperatively with all Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Understanding responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
• Performing additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess or obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Must begin CDA classes within six months of hire date.
• Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program performance standards.
• Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
• Develop and implement classroom activities based on children's individual needs.
• Work well with other center staff, parents, and managers.
• Knowledge of basic child development, as well as child care and guidance knowledge.
• Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency and community.
• Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
• Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.

Additional requirements include emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies.

Working conditions include risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running; and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor.