Assistant Teacher-Early Learning Center

This is a part time position of 19.5 hours per week. This position purpose is to assist in providing classroom management in a state licensed child care program that ensures quality care and a safe, secure, and nurturing environment that includes the use of developmentally appropriate practice under classroom lead teacher and Early Learning Center Coordinator. Maintains compliance with the Early Childhood Education Program Goals and Philosophy along with CSI Policies & Procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as assistant teacher, supporting an appropriate classroom schedule and curriculum, using HighScope.
• Serve as lead teacher when the lead teacher is absent. This may include lesson planning.
• Assist in completing a COR assessment on each child enrolled, once per semester. Including taking anecdotal notes.
• Ensure close supervision of assigned children; maintain teacher/child ratios indoors and outdoors; seek assistance when ratios are not as required.
• Maintain and utilize up to date early childhood guidance, discipline and classroom management techniques.
• Assist in classroom preparation, for the age group of assigned children, at the beginning of each semester and on a daily basis, maintaining NAEYC standards.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, secure, and developmentally appropriate educational environment that supports cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and self-help skills.
• Assist at the end of each semester with storing supplies, labeling, cleaning, and organizing the center and outside area.
• Opening duties: fill up sanitizing spray bottles for all 4 classrooms and kitchen, set the chairs down in each room, and cycle through laundry.
• Attend at least 12 hours of training per year-SRAEYC Conference is recommended.
• Prepare classroom labels, when needed.
• Prepare and carry-out lesson planning on occasion.
• Assist Center Coordinator and other staff in maintaining organized teacher work areas, resource materials, educational materials, and outdoor materials.
• Participate in Family Style Meal Service. Eat meals with children; encourage good eating habits, tasting of new foods, manners, and socialization between children and teachers. Utilize safe and healthy practices in the serving and passing of foods, setting tables, and cleaning-up after meals. Provide nutrition oriented experiences and lessons.
• Participate in yearly Child Nutrition Program Training.
• Performs supplemental duties related to the welfare and care of the children:
• Assist older children (3-5 yrs.) with toileting and the learning of self-help skills in a positive and relaxed environment; if accidents occur utilizing this opportunity for the teaching and learning of critical self-help skills.
• Assist younger children (2-3 yrs.) with potty-training practices; taking them to the bathroom, cleaning, changing, dressing and learning self-help skills in a positive and relaxed environment; utilizing this time with two year olds to encourage bonding, interaction, language, and communication.
• Diaper care of infants (6-24 mon.); assisting with changing, cleaning, and dressing; completing task in a positive and relaxed environment; utilizing this time with an infant to encourage bonding, interaction, language, and communication.
• Custodial duties for indoors consist of daily cleaning; vacuuming, sweeping and washing of laundry to prevent the spread of illness; ensuring a healthy and safe classroom environment.
• Custodial duties for outdoors consist of daily cleaning, sweeping sidewalks, concrete areas, removal of trash, etc. to ensure a safe and fun outdoor play environment for the children.
• Assist in maintaining classroom and Center materials and equipment, reporting repairs or replacement of broken items.
• Maintain positive relationships with children, families, staff, work studies, volunteers, college students, and community partners.
• Maintain a positive work environment, working effectively within a team and individually.
• Maintain the NAEYC, “Code of Ethical Conduct” for Professionals in Early Childhood Education.
• Maintain confidentiality in all information gained at the Center.
• Work to establish and maintain standards of quality parallel with program and institutional desires.
• Other duties as assigned by the Center Coordinator

UNIQUE FUNCTIONS

• Problem solving strategies with different aged children
• Able to make decisions quickly and affectively
• Flexibility in a classroom environment
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
• Provide safe environment for children

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED/REQUIRED

• Willingness to accept supervision.
• Ability to work in a team teaching situation.
• Understanding of Early Childhood Development.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• A strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, early childhood learning strategies, guidance techniques, and an understanding of children’s growth and development.
• Experience in child care or early childhood classroom environments, with children under six years of age.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE PREFERRED/REQUIRED

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of Office Equipment (Desktop computer, printers and scanners)

EDUCATION / TRAINING PREFERRED/REQUIRED 

• High School Graduate/GED
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certification
• Have taken or are currently taking classes in the field of Early Childhood Education
• Training and experience of High Scope Curriculum.

The College of Southern Idaho is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to cultivating and sustaining an environment in which our employees and learners thrive. The College prohibits discrimination on the basis of any legally protected status.