Child Care Teacher Assistant

Job Code: 25-9042

Salary: $16.10 - $19.26

Status: Full-Time, Permanent, Non-Exempt

Department: Education

Location: Early Learning Center

Reports To: Child Care Teacher

Telecommute: No

Fleet: No

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630 & NYS OCFS

Summary: Under the general direction of the Child Care Classroom Teacher, the Child Care Teacher Assistant is responsible for providing children with a safe, comfortable environment, enriched with a variety of hands-on, age-appropriate activities that meet best practice standards and enhance each child’s level of development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

• Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies.
• Adhere to all policies, standards, and procedures as dictated by Tribal Personnel Policies, NYS OCFS Child Care Licensing Regulations, the ELC Behavior Management Plan, the Serious Incident Policy, the Mandated Reporter Policy, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, PL102-477 regulations and all other applicable regulations pertaining to health, safety and sanitation.
• Keep children safe at all times.
• Assist Lead Teacher to implement curriculum, ensuring developmentally appropriate practices at all time.
• Assist Child Care Teacher with supporting developmentally appropriate practices at all times includes program tools including, Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, Pyramid Model, NYS Early Learning Guidelines NYS Core Body of Knowledge, Environmental Rating Scales, and current research and best practice.
• Effectively communicate information regarding development and learning, scheduling, duties, and all other relevant information with the Teacher, Substitute and/or administrative staff
• Create and maintain an accurate and updated profile on the Aspire Registry. Participate in all professional development requirements, including coaching/mentoring, and work with Education & Disabilities Coordinator to set professional goals and maintain an Individual Professional Development Portfolio.
• Assist in maintaining accurate documentation in the classroom monthly binder and submitting by designated deadline to administrative team.
• Communicate with parents or guardians regarding children’s daily activities.  
• Encourage positive behavior and independence by teaching skills such as dressing, caring for personal belongings, and cleaning up toys and books.
• Dress children and change diapers as needed.
• Teach and reinforce healthy habits, including eating, resting, and toilet routines.
• Assist in maintaining accurate records for each child, including daily observations, activities, meals, and any medications administered.
• Ensure a safe and organized play environment.
• Monitor children’s play activities to promote safety and engagement.
• Assist in the planning and organizing, and participate in recreational activities and outings, such as games and field trips.
• Support children’s emotional and social development by fostering positive self-concepts and respect for others.
• Organize and store toys and materials to maintain order in activity areas.
• Follow the deep cleaning sanitization schedule and all applicable regulations.
• Complete other job duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Knowledge of the Mohawk language and traditions preferred.
• First Aid and CPR preferred.

Education and/or Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED AND
  • One (1) year experience working with children less than 6 years of age.

Performance Expectations: 

• Keep children safe at all times.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exhibit a friendly and courteous manner while maintaining a high level of professionalism in relationships with children, families, visitors, colleagues, other staff members, management, and community members.
• Ensure children’s personal hygiene is maintained and attended to immediately as needed.
• Promote healthy relationships with the families and employees served by the program.
• Foster a climate of respect and integrity, community effectively with program staff, families and children.
• Effectively deal with crisis situations including hostile, aggressive persons or situations and people under distress or duress.
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment.
• Promote a positive image of the SRMT, the ELC and foster a climate of respect and integrity.
• Adhere to strict confidentiality as outlined in all SRMT and ELC policies and procedures. 

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to implement regulations that govern programs for young children; acknowledging that all staff will cooperate to implement a program that far exceeds minimum regulations.
• Ability to recognize and determine when to call to the NYS OCFS Hotline when faced with an instance of potential Child Maltreatment.
• Ability to ensure that the rights and needs of children are the highest priority, while also recognizing the needs of other family members.
• To contribute to the ongoing review, evaluation and modification of services as needed by the community, families and children.
• To provide information about the services of the program to the parents/guardians and the community.
• Be aware and sensitive to the needs that may arise when handling stressful and demanding circumstances. 

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and a criminal background check prior to employment.