Child Care Assistant (Full-time 37.5 hrs M-F)

The Childcare Assistant is a member of the teaching team who is responsible for the care and education of an assigned group of children; planning and implementing the curriculum, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment for children.

Reports To: Director of Childcare, Preschool Teacher, Childcare Teacher

Hours Per Week: Full Time 37.5 hrs.

Monday - Friday: 9:30am -5:30pm

Essential Responsibilities:

• Helps to support the goals of the classroom keeping it clean, safe and stimulating.
• Meets and maintains licensing requirements for ratio.
• Assure the safety, hygiene and well-being of children in an assigned group.
• Follow the State Licensing policies and procedures for sanitizing and disinfecting toys and surfaces.
• Uses proper hand washing, diaper changing and toileting procedures.
• Maintains an orderly learning environment.
• Provides a balance between child-initiated and teacher-directed activities.
• Is actively engaged with children selecting age-appropriate activities for them.
• To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.
• Implements hands-on activities that develop positive self-esteem.
• Implements hands-on activities that develop social skills.
• Implements culturally diverse and non-sexist experiences.
• Uses and promotes positive guidance techniques.
• Provides a variety of creative and expressive activities.
• Manages the classroom through positive redirection, problem solving, setting appropriate limits and active listening.
• Follows through on routines that have been established to ensure smooth transition periods.
• Communicates with children at their developmental level.
• Encourages children to be independent.
• To establish positive and productive relationships with families
• Considers the individual family and child in relationship to his/her culture and socio-economic background.
• Communicates effectively and efficiently with parents at the end of the day to relay information given to them by the Childcare
• To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs
• Follows the daily schedule posted in the room.
• Assists the Preschool Teacher and the Childcare Teacher with an assigned group of children accepting direction and suggestions.
• To maintain a commitment to professionalism
• Is guided by the Core Values of Mozaic Senior Life
• Treats each child, parent, family member and co-worker with dignity and respect.
• Promotes MSL Childcare Center's mission and vision, philosophy and educational objectives.
• Completes required paperwork in a timely fashion, hands in weekly lesson plans to Director, completes conference and progress reports in a timely fashion.
• Keeps open communication with the Director and other teachers at all times.
• Maintains professional attitude, appearance and loyalty to the program at all times.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding staff, families and children at all times.
• Upon hire, each employee must begin training to meet state requirements.
• Engages in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills.
• To maintain a commitment to professionalism
• Supports the professional growth and development of colleagues by sharing materials and information and providing helpful feedback and encouragement.
• Attends staff meetings, workshops and in-service training provided by the Childcare Center and MSL.
• Attends and prepares for Open House Night.
• Is prompt, reliable, and flexible and adheres to schedules.
• Demonstrates a desire to grow and be open to new ideas or suggestions and constructive feedback.
• Has comprehensive working knowledge of the MSL Employee Handbook, The State of Connecticut Rules and Regulations for Childcare Centers, The MSL Parent's Handbook, and any policies and procedures specific to The MSL Childcare Center.

Education: High School Diploma or GED; CDA preferred, some college

Experience: Prior experience in working with very young children