To assist with planning and implementation of learning experiences, advancing the intellectual, and physical development of children; To support positive child outcomes for readiness of children in literacy, numeracy and problem solving by performing the following duties and individualization

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Ensures that the education environment is developmentally and linguistically appropriate, recognizing that children have individual rates of development as well as individual interests, temperaments, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles

Ensures that the education environment supports the development of all children's social and emotional development, cognitive, language skills, and physical skills

Implements a curriculum that recognizes the need for individualized activities, integrates the educational aspects of all program areas, helps to develop children's facility in social relationships, enhances each child's understanding of self, and provides for the development of cognitive skills

Involves parents in the development of the program's curriculum and approach to child development and education, and participates in staff-parent conferences and home visits. Ensures parents have opportunities to observe their children and to share these assessments with staff to plan learning experiences

To collaborate with the teacher to ensure that lesson plans are well planned and implemented on a daily basis

Lead implementation of the lesson plans at least twice a week

To assure the welfare of each child by arranging and maintaining a healthy, safe, clean, and attractive physical environment; setting up learning centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies

To implement and collaborate with the teacher to ensure that daily classroom gross motor activities are well planned

To collaborate with the teacher to ensure all Head Start Performance Standards are met

• Collaborate with the classroom teacher to conduct and document two (2) home visits and two (2) parent/teacher conferences per child per program year
• Participate in professional development by attending all weekly staff meetings, recommended trainings, conferences, in-service trainings and workshops
• Collaborate with the classroom teacher to maintain on-going communication with parents concerning the development of their child; The teacher must be informed prior to discussions of information shared with parents regarding children or other professionals
• Document and record children's growth and development according to the Head Start Child Outcomes and individualize based on each child's development
• Maintain accurate and complete files, daily attendance count, meal counts, bus sheets, developmental assessments and screenings, and anecdotal notes and other records for every child in the classroom
• Maintain confidentiality of written, oral and observed information as it relates to children, parents, staff and other professionals
• Always use an appropriate tone of voice and refrain from any negative comments to or in front of children and only use discipline practices in compliance with Head Start and Bethlehem Center Standards of Conduct and Discipline
• Participate and encourage family style eating practices during meals and snacks
• Maintain constant supervision of children at all times (classrooms, bathrooms, playgrounds, field trips, gyms (where applicable)
• Ensure that all information obtained on children (i.e. assessments, records, anecdotes, parent notes, etc.) is filed and kept in a locked file cabinet at all times
• Encourage volunteer services from parents and the community
• Ensure that each child practices dental hygiene care twice (2) daily
• Ensure that medication is administered to children as directed in the written procedures of the BCHS Policies & Procedures
• Ensure all other related HS Performance Standards are met daily

10. Collaborate with the teacher to ensure all Sanitation requirements are met daily

• Properly store all medication under lock and key
• Ensure all hazardous products are properly stored and locked under key
• Make sure all linens, cots or mats are in good repair, clean, labeled and properly stored
• Ensure toys, equipment and furniture is clean, in good repair and sanitized daily
• Ensure hand washing procedures are followed throughout the day
• Ensure all other related Sanitation requirements are met daily

11. To maintain a commitment to professionalism, especially as it relates to interactions with staff, parents, and other professionals. When interacting outside of Bethlehem Center, you must build good communications and represent the agency in a positive and professional manner

12. To be reliable in following through with commitments in the area of attendance and timeliness

13. To serve as a bus monitor only as needed

14. To adhere to all Bethlehem Center Policies and Procedures, and comply with all North Carolina Child Care Regulations

15. Maintain a clean and organize classroom daily; making sure to sweep after each meal, sanitize toys and cots daily and other general housekeeping tasks

16. To ensure that all cleaning supplies and any other chemicals are under lock and key at all times

17. To perform other related duties as assigned or requested by the Teacher, Center Director, Director of Center Services, Early Childhood Education Specialist and Head Start Director

18. Maintain an active membership in an Early Childhood Association, such as NCAEYC, NAEYC, National Head Start Association, etc.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

AA/AS degree in Early Childhood or a related field; and two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Employee must pass an annual physical, TB screening, submit to random drug screenings and provide updated background information every three years as required by NC Licensing Requirements. Employee must have reliable transportation.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; Ability to write routine reports and correspondence; Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Incumbent must demonstrate a working knowledge the desktop computer, related software, printer, copier, laminator, fax, phone, and vacuum

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SPECIFICATION: The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a contract of employment, comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.