Assistant Preschool Teacher-Parker Heights

Position Purpose

Position is responsible for assisting the Lead Preschool Teacher in preparing and executing daily activities and lesson plans for children. Incorporate a child’s home/language/culture functionally in activities of the center.  Provides opportunities and encouragement throughout the program for children to acquire and enlarge their vocabulary and provides a good language model by speaking clearly and distinctly on a level that children understand and respect.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Inspire Development Centers provides early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to 3,110 children in center-based and home-based setting, at more than 25 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington.  At these sites, Inspire employs over 1,000 staff on a $52 million annual budget.  Inspire provides these services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early Head Start (EHS).  The organization is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds.  A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish.  Over the past 40 years, Inspire has strategically and incrementally increased its capacity to address the rapidly changing needs of its families and communities.

Supervisory and Other Relationships

The Assistant Preschool Teacher reports to the Center Manager and works closely with the  , School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches,  ECE Specialists, Leads, Center Staff, Parents and works with and around children. 

Examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties.  Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

1.           Assists Lead Preschool Teacher in implementing appropriate curriculum planning for the Preschool classroom modeling appropriate instructional techniques. Reinforces positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults Assists with formulating lesson plans for classroom activities and Home Learning Tasks.  Contributes to the evaluation of progress of children in the classroom.

2.           Supports the analysis of  child and classroom outcome reports to evaluate process and implementschool readiness goals.

3.           Assists in completion of all appropriate documentation: i.e. Daily Assessment form, Meal Guide, Health Checks, Home Visits, and Parent/Teacher Conferences are completed within set timelines.  Assists in daily completion of USDA Meal count and the safe release of children.

4.           Provides a safe and healthy learning environment for children.  Follows all state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards; to include proper sanitization..

5.           Enhances physical and intellectual competence in children by promoting physical, cognitive, language, and creative skills, including children who require special services, while mentoring and supporting classroom staff through participation of  scheduled meetings .

6.           Communicates with and actively involves parents in all aspects of center activities, through Home Visits, Parent Teacher Conferences, Open House, Make-n-Take, and Brainstorming sessions.

7.           Follows established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans. In coordination with the Lead Preschool Teacher, School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, and program support ECE Specialists. Performs administrative duties as assigned.

8.           Actively participates with age appropriate interactions and classroom activities such as free play, mealtime, floor time and classroom activities. May include bathing, diaper changing for special needs children.

9.           Administer educational screenings, identify, and refer children with potential high risk of health, disability or behavioral concerns.

10.        Maintain confidential information, which includes, but is not limited to: personnel records, health records, and participant personal and income information

11.        Review and understand all center policies and procedures regarding the safe receive and release of children ensuring compliance with established protocols. 

12.        Shows interest in furthering professional growth by enrolling in ECE classes, attending staff meetings, workshops, trainings and seminars

13.        Responsible for contributing in any procedure or activity that fosters the contribution of in-kind funds, through the request of goods, services, cash donations, and/or through encouraging professional, community members and parents to volunteer time to the program.

14.        Perform all other duties as assigned.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:

•             Current Preschool Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate; or AA/BA Degree in ECE or an AA/BADegree, with 30 ECE related college credits with experience in teaching infant/toddler and/or Preschool children (*) High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate and must obtain AA in ECE or related field, Initial, CDA;

•             Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices;

•             Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment;

•             Experience in policy and procedure processes;

•             Experience in planning and facilitating groups;

•             Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

•             Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;

•             Experience in the classroom risk management;

•             Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems;

•             Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;

•             Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;

•             Ability to gather and analyze data for reports;

•             Strong customer service focus;

•             Ability to work with culturally diverse population;

•             Knowledge with personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and

•             Accurate data, documentation and recordkeeping skills.

 

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, training and experience which would include at least six (6) months experience in a childcare setting.  The combination of education and experience will provide the competence and skills to perform the work of the position. (*) Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must meet this requirement within two (2) years of hire in role. 

Preferred Qualifications

•             Previous Head Start experience;

•             English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency;

•             AA/BA Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or an Associate’s Degree, with 30 ECE related credits with experience in teaching infant/toddler and/or Preschool children; ; or BA degree  with(30   ECE related  credits.

 

Position Requirements

Incumbents are required to have the following:

•             Must be at least 18 years of age;

•             Valid Washington State driver’s license;

•             Must provide a current driving abstract;

•             Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities;

•             Must pass initial and periodic  background check;

•             Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);

•             Subject to initial and periodic TB screen;

•             Subject to   drug and/or alcohol testing if on-the-job accident or injury ;

•             Obtain Fifteen (15) hours continuing in-service training annually;

•             Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and

•             Must complete any/all required training related to the position, including but not limited to CPR/First Aid, Child Abuse and Neglect, Supervision and Emergency Response.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this position can be found at . Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits.