POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for supporting the needs by assisting the teacher with the day- to-day operation and management of the classroom. Assisting with guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm 

Please apply online at www.youthrivefl.org 

Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

Full Time Position- Benefits Eligible: Teacher Break Pay, Sick, PTO, Employer paid health benefits, 403B retirement, 14 company paid  holidays, Pet Insurance, Basic $30,000 Life Insurance Policy, Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists teacher with providing developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in the classroom, ensuring each child’s individual needs are met.Implements lesson plans in collaboration with teacher using established curricula ensuring that small group, large group and individual experiences are provided.
• Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in the education, nutrition, health, dental andmental health plans. Prepares children for screening and exam procedures such as vision, hearing, dental, speech, and developmental to encourage successful completion.
• Assists teacher with ongoing observation and assessment on each child within the classroom utilizingrequired tracking tools. Daily observation will include anecdotal notes, health checks, and other tracking requirements.
• Assists teacher in maintaining Education Child Portfolio for each child in the classroom with required and current documentation.
• Works in partnership with the teacher in identifying any child with a suspected delay or any other area of concern.
• Supports the teacher in the implementation of LEA IEP’s.
• Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment. Provides appropriateguidance to promote children’s gross motor development. Balances indoor and outdoor activities to stimulate both cognitive growth and physical skills.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground area. Monitors and reports to supervisor in writing any needed repairs and takes appropriate action to correct any unsafe area.

• Supports teacher in maintaining an adequately supplied classroom, ensuring the physical and developmental needs of all children are met.
• Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities,explore, question and gain mastery through learning by doing. Encourages language development of children by asking open ended questions.
• Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through the promotion of cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences.
• Provides direct supervision to children at all times; maintaining child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Supports teacher in maintaining accurate classroom attendance, assuring the sign in/out sheet corresponds with the number of children in the classroom at all times. Provides information to Family Advocate of any known reason for child absence.
• Participates with children at mealtimes, including breakfast and lunch, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
• Assists teacher with the implementation of healthy cooking experiences within the classroom setting that reflect the ethnic and cultural composition of the population.
• Assists in planning and participates in regular safety and fire/storm drills. Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit, safe and secure medication storage unit and to ensure OSHA standards are met.
• Maintains and documents regular contact with parents and assists teacher with ensuring two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences are conducted yearly. Assists with documenting parent participation in center activities.
• Assists teacher in completing two individualized home activities each month per child and provides toparents. Acquaints volunteers with the classroom. Assists teacher with parent bulletin board.
• Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Assists in the recruitment of children for the program. Participates in community activities that enhance the Head Start program as requested.
• Assists in maintaining appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program and ensures quality of data and timelines for completion.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: Minimum requirement of High School Diploma or Equivalent. Must enroll at 90 days of hire to complete Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential with 9 months. Once the CDA program is complete must enroll to complete Associate Degree within 2 years.

Experience: No experience required.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current insurance

carrier. Subject to federal, state and local legal requirements/background checks.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Talking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, use of fingers, arms, hands, legs, walking, stretching/reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, bending at the waist, turning, balancing, pushing, pulling, use of depth perception, carrying and lifting (up to 65 lbs.), and driving are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential.

Equipment: Computer, facsimile, copy machine, calculator, multi-line phone and other small office and instructional equipment and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Ability to plan and carry out lesson plans. Ability to learn how to coordinate activities. Ability to work with children with special needs. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularlyparents and children. Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to arrive to work daily and on time. Ability to work with limited direction. Knowledge of organizational methods. Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to analyze andinterpret data. Ability to use and operate a computer. Ability to maintain You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child and parent confidentiality. Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements.