Early Head Start Teacher Assistant

Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization committed to providing quality early learning and care across the country. Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy, and research through partnerships across the country.

The Early Head Start Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the reflective supervision of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant will ensure that all classroom activities and the environment are developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards and that both the environment and classroom activities reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum. The Teacher Assistant assumes the classroom Lead Teacher’s responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Teacher.

Responsibilities:

• Administrative Responsibilities: In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, develop and regularly monitor child education binders for each child and ensure all confidential information is protected. Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit it in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher. Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment. As assigned by the lead teacher, monitor and ensure that daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily. Read and respond to Outlook emails daily.
• Child Development: Observe, assess, and document each assigned child’s growth and development in TSG with a minimum of two entries per child each week and three entries per child with an IFSP/IEP. Adhere to all IEP, IFSP, and IHP Implementation Plans, and/or strategies provided by Education Managers and/or Consultants. Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success. Ensure goals are made with parents and are reflected in children’s individual plans. Participate in Family/Child Reviews. Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
• Curriculum and Assessment: In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that will promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child and support their school readiness. Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, experiences, and outcomes for children. Utilize standardized and authentic assessment data to create learning opportunities to advance children’s development and learning. Develop and maintain observation, technological, and individualization skills required for assessment and lesson planning, including completing all assigned TSG modules and training. Establish and maintain a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies and procedures, Head Start standards, Ounce standards of conduct, and state regulations.
• Classroom Environment: Assume responsibility for the management of the classroom during the Teacher’s absence. Ensure all children are always under appropriate supervision and no child is left unattended. In conjunction with the teaching team maintain a classroom environment that reflects the use of “New Beginnings” and follows the guidelines of ITERS or ECERS. Assume proper care and responsibility for your classroom.
• Parent Involvement: As assigned by the Lead Teacher, schedule and conduct Parent/Staff conferences and adhere to the parent/staff conference guidance policy. In conjunction with the Lead Teacher encourage parent participation in the program, including participation in parent events, home visits, conferences, and volunteering in the classroom. Hold friendly daily conversations with families and maintain professional boundaries. Develop positive and effective partnerships with families using the Touchpoints Approach (once trained).

Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing and the Ounce’s philosophy, agency policies, and procedures, curriculum, and Standards of Conduct. Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and training, and reflective supervision. Perform other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description. Administer medication as needed (e.g., Nebulizer treatment, Epipen).

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD), OR Sixty (60) college credit hours with a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours (12 semester hours of which are in infant/toddler development), or unrelated degree with a current Infant and Toddler CDA.
• A Level Four Gateways Infant & Toddler Credential for Early Head Start is required upon hire.
• 20 hours of annual continuing education. CPR and First Aid certification, and Food Handlers certification. Additional training requirements include Mandated Reporter, Health and Safety Basics, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and Shaken Baby Syndrome.
• One year experience in Early Childhood or Child Care Program.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement Early Head Start/Head Start or other developmental child care programs.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low income community.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule between the hours of 7:00am – 6:00pm.
• A minimum of one year of experience in an early childhood program.
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity, racial equity, and incorporating them into interpersonal routines and practice.

Salary:

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, the expected base annual salary range for this position is $40,575.00 - $41,535.00, with a sign-on bonus up to $3,000.00.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Dedication to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months of paid parental leave, and much more.