Paraprofessional For Day Care Center

*Please do not apply if you do not have your paraprofessional license.*

Building Blocks Learning Academy is a childCare Center serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. We believe in creating enriching classrooms that provide each of our children with a loving, dynamic, supportive experience. We strive to develop and maintain a learning environment that provides the highest possible quality of childcare by supporting children, parents, and staff. We make every effort to provide a superior childcare experience by instilling an atmosphere of harmony, respect, patience, honesty, trust, and friendship. Our goals are to maintain a safe environment at all times, nurture, engage and enlighten families and staff, and to support and respect each child, family, staff member, and our surrounding community.

General Summary: Under the general direction of the Site Director, assists in the instruction and implementation of developmentally appropriate educational opportunities and curriculum to preschool age children that develops the whole child (cognitive, social emotional, language/communication, and physical development) so that the overall district educational objectives may be achieved.

Essential Functions:

• Implements plans under the direct supervision of the teacher
• With appropriate training, makes daily modifications for individuals while getting approval from teacher
• Keeps daily student progress records
• Reports results and observations
• Contributes to objectives, especially by providing daily updates on student progress
• Implements lessons to meet objectives
• Provides follow-up instruction to small groups and individuals
• Reinforce the teaching of the teacher by following lesson plans
• Prepares materials for instruction and for implementation of IEP modifications/accommodations.
• Implements positive behavioral strategies using the same techniques as the teacher
• Helps to determines appropriate strategies based on daily contact with students
• Reports regularly on activities to support children’s inclusion & learning
• Supports children’s transportation to receive IEP services and reports back to the teacher
• Performs other duties, as requested.

Employment Qualifications

Beginning January 1, 2023, you may qualify for the ELS-Paraprofessional license by meeting the requirements outlined below at age 18 but only may serve in prekindergarten through grade 8.

Must be at least 19 years of age to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

Must be fluent in written and spoken Spanish and English.

Education: One of the following required:

· Associate degree or higher

· 60 semester hours of coursework

· High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Paraprofessional

· High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT

§ Work keys:

· Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)

· Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

· Paraprofessional licensed required. *Please do not apply if you do not have your paraprofessional license.*

Years Valid: 5

Limitations - Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher.

RENEWABLE? May be renewed with payment of registration fees

Notes:

· ​If you hold a Paraprofessional License and have a Bachelor’s Degree on file, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher.

· Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. ​​​​

Experience: Previous childcare experience, preferably in Head Start is required

Additional Requirements:

Physical Job Requirements:

● Position involves listening, speaking clearly, and visual acuity ● Position involves bending, stooping, and sitting on the floor to perform classroom activities and to provide one to one assistance ● Position involves periods of sitting while working with a computer ● Position involves the occasional lifting up to 25 pounds ● Position involves physically holding, diapering/changing and caring for children ● Position involves extended periods of standing when teaching or leading an activity ● Position involves extended periods of sitting during meetings and deskwork ● Position may involve sweeping, mopping and vacuuming ● Position may involve physical intervention with students

Mental Job Requirements:

● Position involves responding to changing technology ● Position requires working with young children and their parents in a positive manner ● Position requires meeting individual needs of students while exhibiting patience ● Position requires working with interruptions and classroom noise and responding positively to social and behavior issues displayed by children ● Position requires working collaboratively with all staff to accomplish the goals of the district ● Position requires utilizing conflict resolution in dealing with students, parents and colleagues ● Position requires prioritizing work duties, organizing classroom settings and taking initiative to explore new activities and ideas to enhance student learning. ● Position requires flexibility and willingness to undertake a variety of tasks, sometimes at the directions of more than one person

Working Conditions: Majority of work is performed in typical classroom environment. Position involves occasional exposure to outside temperatures and weather conditions.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted as sufficient to perform the duties. Position may involve occasional exposure to blood/bodily fluids and airborne pathogens. ● Position may involve risk of occasional physical injury from student and/or emotional outbursts

OUR MISSION

The mission of Building Blocks Learning Academy is to provide high-quality childcare for children six weeks through 12 years of age. It is our principal goal to produce highly esteemed students who grow into lifelong learners. Through a caring, nurturing, safe environment, the staff at Building Blocks meet the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional needs of the child thus making the preschool experience a positive first impression of formal education. Building Blocks Learning Academy mission is to provide a nurturing environment full of:

Fun: Children need to have laughter and to maintain that spirit of playfulness. This is important in every childhood. We also believe that fun is an important component in effective learning.

Play: We engage the children in group sports as well as individual activities. This is a great avenue for them to interact with peers too.

Learning: Our learning programs are designed to keep track of the child’s progress according to their age. We identify the areas where they need closer supervision as well as those areas that they excel in.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
• working with autistic child: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
• Paraprofessional Certification/License Required (Required)

Work Location: In person