Teacher's Aide, Head Start

Job Description

Job Description

Summary: Positive and creative team member who provides a nurturing classroom. Assists with the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning experiences that engage the whole child. Supports the readiness of children through social/emotional, cognitive, physical and language activities. Establishes and maintains a safe, healthy learning environment. Encourages the involvement of families and strengthening the relationships between children, families and community. Head Start employees follow the public-school calendar and work between 25-35 hours per week.

Why Work for SMOC?

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Be knowledgeable about SMOC Child Care and Head Start philosophy and all regulations and performance standards (EEC, Head Start, NAEYC, and QRIS) applicable to the assigned classroom.
• Supports the classroom team in preparing and implementing a successful learning environment that supports and challenges each child's development.
• Participates in opportunities for staff growth and development.
• Communicates regularly with Teacher, Lead Teacher, and/or Supervisor and shares all pertinent information as quickly as possible.
• Assesses classroom needs for equipment, materials, and supplies and reports to the Lead Teacher, Teacher, and/or Supervisor.
• Maintains the space, equipment, materials, and supplies in a safe, clean, and orderly fashion.
• Maintains strict adherence to health and safety policies and procedures.
• Attends all required staff meetings, workshops, trainings, committee meetings, and parent functions.
• Contributes to a positive and supportive relationship with families.
• Attends & participates in engagement team meetings as requested.
• Mandated Reporter (51A) training is mandatory for all staff.
• Maintains accurate daily attendance records in both ChildPlus and required paper attendance forms, including sign-in/sign-out information, absence reasons, and attendance notes. Ensures all records are completed within established timelines and comply with Head Start, EEC, CACFP, and program requirements.
• Travels as needed between sites for coverage of classrooms.
• Along with the Lead Teacher and Teachers, responsible for providing positive and supportive relationships by maintaining contact with families by phone calls, conferences, home visits, arrivals & departures, and communicating family volunteer opportunities.
• Actively supervises children at all times.
• Maintains the classroom material needs daily.
• Supports the Lead Teacher and the Teacher in implementing the lesson plans and curriculum for all children daily.
• Maintains confidentiality of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensures compliance with program/department, agency, and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
• We do our very best to be consistent with classrooms and sites; however, the needs of the children and families may require us to make changes as needed to provide the best quality to our program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Experience working with children a plus.
• EEC Teacher Certification Preferred.
• Must be comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and able to effectively communicate with children, families, and co-workers.
• Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Priority given to past or present Head Start parents for positions for which they are qualified in the Head Start program.

Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Lead Teacher and Teacher. Indirectly reports to Satellite Director. Direct reports of this position are None.

Physical Requirement:

• Must be able to handle the physical aspects of the position, including the lifting of a child
• Recent physical exam determining good health and meeting all EEC requirements
• MMR Vaccination or Titer
• CPR Certification
• First Aid Certification

Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Teacher’s Aide will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.