Center Assistant

Center Assistant DeSoto, MO

Incorporated in 1965, Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation (JFCAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to assisting low-income individuals, and families, achieve self-sufficiency through quality programs in Jefferson and Franklin Counties. We are a federal, state, and locally funded Community Action Agency.

JFCAC offers a variety of impactful programs for eligible individuals and families, from early childhood education, rental and utility assistance to home upgrades that improve energy efficiency and creates safer living environments. To carry out our mission and expand our impact, we are seeking a dedicated individual to step into an important role within our Head Start Program - Center Assistant. This is a fully on-site role supporting daily center operations. In this role, you will be part of a team that helps children build important skills for learning and growing. Your work helps the center run smoothly, and ensures every child is cared for and supported in a safe, structured environment.

As a Center Assistant, you support Teachers so they can focus on teaching, while also helping meet the daily needs of the children. This makes you an important part of both the classroom and the overall success of the center as well as the Head Start program.

Position Summary

The Center Assistant has the responsibility of providing assistance in daily classroom activities to ensure high-quality early learning experiences for children in the classroom setting, thus preparing them to have a solid foundation for school readiness. Maintain a general knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards and comply with the standards.

Key Responsibilities

• School Readiness:
  • Integrates the High Scope curricula into daily practice, using effective strategies to guide children's learning.
  • Assists in Preparing the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences.
  • Assists in documenting observations and ongoing assessments for each child, review assessment data, and adjust teaching practices to support each child's unique learning style.
  • Engages with the teaching team in collaborative lesson planning, taking on duties and tasks as needed based on children's needs.
  • Collaborate with the Teacher to ensure appropriate curriculum and lesson plan modifications are in place to meet children's IFSP/IEP goals.
• Family Engagement and Community Partnerships:
  • Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement.
  • Support the role of families as the first and primary teachers of their children.
  • Maintain regular communication with families regarding child's development.
  • Assist in attending required parent conferences and home visits as needed for the purpose of sharing screening and assessment information and developing shared goals and strategies with the family to support child's growth and development in both the home and class setting.
  • Help plan and participate in family activity events.
  • Coordinate with the Family Coach as needed to assist families in completing health follow ups as needed.
  • Provide learning opportunities for dual-language learning in the home and classroom setting as appropriate.
• Health and Safety:
  • Observe and monitor children at all times, following all agency policies and procedures regarding child health and safety.
  • Maintain a clean and sanitary learning environment, ensuring all indoor and outdoor equipment and toys are sanitized as required per state licensing standards.
  • Check indoor and outdoor equipment and toys regularly to ensure all items are in good condition and report items that are in need of repair.
  • Assist in the development of the daily zoning chart, and follow the tasks and duties assigned to ensure proper supervision throughout the day.
  • Monitor child safety, document and report any injuries and incidents, following agency policies and procedures.
  • Understand and follow all health and safety policies and procedures for reducing illnesses in the classroom.
  • Follow policies and procedures to ensure children are released only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
  • Monitor and report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
• Documentation:
  • Utilize agency tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.
  • Ensure all federal, local, state, and/or agency documentation is completed accurately.
  • Assist in documenting attendance and meal counts in the agency database.
• Professional Development:
  • Attend and participate in training and professional development activities.
  • Attend and participate in meetings.
  • Engage in team and/or individualized coaching meetings, self-reflecting on teaching practices and solution-based problem-solving strategies.
• Additional Duties:
  • Support other staff as needed at designated site (including, but not limited to kitchen, cleaning, clerical duties, or other duties as assigned)
  • Report to non-designated locations as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned based on program need.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED/HiSet
• Education must be verified before hire
• Must be willing to submit to Criminal Background Screenings

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• 1-2 years' experience in a childcare setting
• Experience working with low-income families

Compensation & Benefits

• On-site position - This is not a remote position
• Starting Pay $15.91 per hour (based on education & experience), bi-weekly pay
• Full-Time, 36-hour workweek, Benefits-eligible
• Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Agency contribution
• Agency-Paid Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance
• Salary Deferral Program (403(b)) with Employer Match
• Simplified Employee Pension Plan - Vested at 3 years