Assistant Teacher

Summary/Objective The objective of an Assistant Teacher/ Floater is to assist the lead teacher with providing each child with a developmentally and academically enriching learning experience in a safe, nurturing environment while striving to meet the company’s vision, and mission. The Assistant Teacher/ Floater models technical excellence by providing high quality childcare and learning, while facilitating positive social and intellectual experiences. Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Educational Be familiar with and assist the lead teacher with following written meaningful lesson plans according to the center’s curriculum Plans for, prepares for (by gathering materials, books, toys, charts, etc), and implements lesson plans Teaches Language/ Communication skills, Social/Emotional skills, Cognitive Skills and Fine/Gross Motor skills per curriculum guidelines Understands the developmental guidelines of the age of the children with which they work Provides all lessons from the lesson plan in a fun, & child inviting manner Observes and documents children’s behavior and curricular achievements Assists with assessments on the children, according to curriculum guide Demonstrates an understanding of the developmental guidelines for the age of the children taught Keeps a clean, neat and attractive classroom, having themes/seasonal artwork hanging Effectively use the center’s behavior management philosophy and discipline policy Parents/Families Greets parents in a friendly and upbeat manner upon arrival and departure Assists lead teacher with writing daily notes for children to take home regarding the child’s day, focusing on the positive things the child did for the day Informs families of upcoming events, participates in parent conferences, keeps parents updated on their children’s progress Maintains confidentiality Accepts and defends diversity among children, parents, and staff Licensing Becoming aware of and following ALL licensing rules and regulations Meals/Nutrition/Food Safety Serving children meals at designated mealtimes per USDA Child Care Food Program guidelines Assuring all children have washed their hands appropriately prior to meals Follow sanitary procedures, being aware of food allergies for the children whom you are serving food to and restricting the foods for the children with the allergies, Encouraging children to eat healthy and to try a variety of foods that have been offered to them Encouraging developmental self-help skills related to feeding Respecting the rate of which a child eats Encouraging parents to bring in healthy foods for their child if they choose not to eat food provided by our center Playground Keep children in your line of sight and hearing at all times Continuously rotate on playground looking in hard to see areas to ensure child safety Keep away from other staff members on the playground to ensure wide range supervision Continuously teach children how to use equipment properly and review playground rules Permit only one child at the water fountain at a time Participate in gross motor activities for the children to do on the playground Correct the children’s inappropriate and unsafe behavior and teach them the correct safe way Guard the gate (one person only) to ensure the safety of the children Greeting parents at pick up and documenting the child’s departure time. Health/Safety Supervising children indoors and outdoors, ensuring they are always within you line of site and hearing. Supervising children in potty area Changing diapers per the diaper changing procedure Sanitizing diaper changing table and toilets after each use Using Universal Precautions to deal with all bodily fluids Teaching children the correct way to use toys and equipment for their safety and purpose of learning Making sure basic needs of the children have been met (clean face/hands/clothes, tied shoes, wipe noses, appropriate dress for weather conditions, providing water for drinking throughout the day in addition to mealtimes, etc.) Informing administration of hazards, correcting/removing any hazards that you are capable of removing Following all Health Department Rules and Regulations and Office of Early Learning Health and Safety rules Quickly attending to a hurt child, writing accident/incident/observation notes on children per our policy guidelines, informing administration immediately of any accident/incident/observation Inform administration of suspicious abuse, inform administration of sick children Completing attendance per center’s policy Complete diaper logs per center’s policy Knowing how many children you have at all times Keeping all children in your line of sight and hearing Exposures: Moderate hazards: Childhood illness, Heat/cold, Noise Janitorial/Maintenance Responsible for keeping any classroom used by jobholder clean and neat Cleans and sanitizes bathroom sinks, floors and toilet according to our cleaning procedures or when soiled Mops/sweeps/vacuums at least daily or when soiled Dusts shelves, windowsills, chairs rails, fans, air vents at least weekly Keeps children’s cubbies neat with folded sheets, blankets and clothing. Keeps all toys with organized with a label attached to the shelf and bin (see labeling procedure) Follows the classroom cleaning log and initial when you complete the task. Assists with the facility’s clean-up and maintenance as assigned, both interior and exterior Other Responsible for following the lead teacher’s directions on daily duties and curriculum implementation, providing the directions are within the company’s policies Primarily there to support the Lead teacher and are the first responders to diapering, toileting, and clean-up. Assistant teacher/floater may be asked to take part in food serving, answering phones, and other duties as assigned. Interpersonal Skills Assistant teachers are required to maintain professional, courteous relationships with parents, co-workers, and children based around our school wide core values. Outside personal contact with families is prohibited as is social media contact, babysitting for families, and exchange of personal phone number. If a personal relationship existed with a family member prior to employment or enrollment, staff must immediately inform administration of the relationship Work Environment This job operates in an indoor and outdoor childcare facility environment. The position will interact with children, daily. The jobholder will be exposed to such hazards as childhood illnesses, heat/cold, noise, physical harm from young children and bodily fluids. Physical Demands The jobholder is regularly required to: Lift and hold children weighing 50 pounds or less several times a day and within the same hour Stand and walk for periods of at least 30 minutes Move quickly, engaging the whole body through sitting to play with children, reaching, kneeling, squatting, pulling and repetitive motions Visually and Auditorily scanning the environment to continuously supervise the children appropriately Push and pull things such as a vacuum cleaner or children on a swing, Using fingers for small tasks such as tying shoes, zippering, snapping, folding, twisting items like bottle caps, and scooping. Clearly see and hear children. Children must always be in a teacher’s line of sight and hearing. Tolerate loud higher pitched noises, such as crying children, for several hours per day Tolerate working indoors with air conditioning, and outdoors in the Florida heat/sun. Mental Demands The jobholder is regularly required to: Be alert to persons, places, times, and events. Make logical decisions using good judgement. Must be willing and able to learn and implement new techniques that are adopted by the company. Be able to follow verbal and written directions given by the lead teacher or administrator and also read and carry out the lead teacher’s lesson plan in her absence Follow the classroom schedule Supervise children Multitask, make quick decisions, and problem solve. Communicate appropriately and professionally with parents, children, and staff. Interpret children’s feeling as well as respond to them sympathetically in a quick time frame, judge dangerous and safe situations. Must be able to be calm and remain calm in high stress situations, including but not limited to children misbehaving, and emergencies. Professional Demands The jobholder is regularly required to: Judge and professionally use nonverbal/verbal language skills when speaking with parents and children Continue their education and maintain current certifications, Follow guidelines of the school Refrain from personal contact with families including but not limited to social media, personal phone numbers, emails, and personal socialization Interpersonal Demands The jobholder is regularly required to: Show warmth, compassion, empathy, and love to the children, Use comforting techniques to calm the children such as rubbing backs, hugs, etc. Communicate professionally effectively, both verbally and written, with parents, children, staff, and administration using correct grammar and spelling Discipline children in a non-punitive way following the center’s discipline guidelines Comfort all crying children Be a team player with all staff Interact and work cooperatively with children, parents, and staff Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time, non-exempt status position. The hours of work and days are generally Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Overtime hours or different hours or days of work may be required at management’s discretion. Required Education and Experience High School Diploma/GED Completion of the DCF 45 hours A valid Florida Staff Credential or Exemption(preferred) VPK Teachers are required to have additional VPK trainings Additional Eligibility Qualifications Training requirements are subject to revisions based upon revised policies of our ECE partners. Below is an outline of expectations, however each entity may make unannounced revisions to their requirements. Additionally, our school is affiliated with several system partners, and may join into pilot programs which may require additional professional development. Staff are expected to partake in the required trainings set forth by our system partners. Most training are paid for via the SEEK scholarship. First Aid/CPR: All staff is required to maintain current certification County/State: 10 approved in-service hours/1.0CEUs between July 1st-June 30th APPLE: 24 in-service or equivalent by June 30: Confirm with director annually VPK: subject to yearly revisions on training requirements; confirm with director annually Gold trainings Conscious Discipline CLASS Training Review Purposes: See Annual Review-Subject to change yearly Total Hours of Annual Training: Varies upon previous professional development achievements. Work Authorization/Security Clearance Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. EEO Statement Palm Beach Preschool provides equal employment opportunities and does not make employment decisions on the basis of any protected characteristic, including, veteran or active military status, genetic information, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. Other Duties Please note this job description is intended to describe the general nature and work performed by employees, but is not a complete list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of personnel. Furthermore, other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at the discretion of the employer. Changes to essential job functions will be communicated with the jobholder, typically through a revised job description. Employment Relationship Please note that this job description is not a contract and does not create any obligations on the part of the company. Employment with PB Schools is and shall remain at-will.