Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher

The Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant works cooperatively to with both classroom teachers to ensure prompt and responsive care to each child, responding to their emotional, social, and physical and educational needs. Principal duties include promoting a supportive and positive classroom climate, attention and engagement in activities and play that stimulates development and frequent high quality language experiences. Further responsibilities involve child observation, assessment and adapting routines and daily experiences to meet individual child interests and abilities. The Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant communicates with classroom teachers regarding all aspects of each child's care and classroom management and conducts child observation and assessment of children assigned in the classroom, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by Head Start, NAEYC, federal, state and local standards. This is a union position.

The starting pay for this role is $19.23 per hour  

Application Requirements:
To be considered for a position in our early learning program, applicants must submit the following with their application:  

• Official transcripts from accredited institutions verifying educational qualifications relevant to early childhood education.
• Valid credentials or certifications, such as Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification, Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or state-specific teaching licenses.

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including: 

• Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

Scope of Responsibilities:  

• Provide responsive caregiving and continuity to help children develop secure relationships while focusing on the children's social and emotional well-being.
• Support and embrace the agency written plan for continuity of care.
• Assist in the planning, preparation and delivery of age-appropriate instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child. This includes both indoor and outdoor activities
• Assist the Early Head Start Teacher in rigorous academic instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) that will support children's academic, intellectual and linguistic development.
• Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire classroom and ensure the health and physical safety of children, at all times, whether indoors and outside.
• Meet the individual needs of each child, at their physical level (kneeling, bending, or sitting on the floor)
• Interact with and assist children individually or in small groups in order to guide and reinforce learning concepts.
• Assist with the completion of daily recording of health checks, communication logs, attendance, and meals.
• Guide and support all children, including dual language learners and those with special needs.
• Model and promote appropriate English grammar, language, positive interactions and discipline and interactions for children and parents.
• Establish a professional rapport and work cooperatively with adults assigned to the classroom (i.e., Teacher, Aide, Parents, and Volunteers), establishing clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.
• Develop effective communication and professional relationships with families and encourage parent involvement through a variety of methods (e.g., classroom parent meetings & events, center-wide activities).
• Participate and support agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of eligible families.
• Adhere to Head Start Performance Standards, Developmentally Appropriate Practices and the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Two's.
• Discreetly handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality at all times 

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management 

• Collaborate with classroom team members to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement.
• Gather, arrange and display children's work to help in a manner appropriate for their eye level
• Assist classroom team to maintain an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages support children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Model and implement family style eating during mealtimes.
• Regularly sanitize all surfaces, classroom toys, equipment and laundry.
• Assist with classroom management, arrangement, organization, and labeling materials. 
• Assume joint share of classroom team to maintain a safe, clean, environment, and practice good personal hygiene and frequent hand washing.
• Assist with completion of classroom inventory quarterly and the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction and children's learning.  

Assist in Evaluations, Assessments, and Reports 

• Timely and accurately administer required screenings.
• Observe, document and assess children's health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Follow established system for collecting and managing daily observations of children, including weekly entries on-line.
• Take pictures and maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for each child.
• Maintain documentation of each child's progress and growth according to Head Start guidelines and the methods of Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Input classroom data into appropriate information systems, as required (TSG, Home Visits and Parent/Teacher Conferences).
• Adhere to timelines and complete child assessment information, at least four times annually.
• Complete all necessary paperwork for classroom activities including attendance and meal count sheets.
• Assume joint share of the classroom team to maintain and ensure accurate and up to date education folders and portfolios for each child.
• Observe and respect issues of confidentiality.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by: 

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

 Requirements: 

• 30 college credits of which 18 hours must be Child Development and signed contingency to obtain Gateways Level 2 Infant/Toddler Credential within 12 months of employment. Must complete 15-hours training within the first 90-days, with a focus on Infant/Toddler development (Curriculum and Content: Social Emotional, Physical, Language, and Literacy).
• Experience working with children 6 weeks to 3 years old
• Demonstrated understanding of child growth and development
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely present ideas and concepts and tailor communication to different audiences
• Ability to build rapport with children, parents and families of high risk
• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple, competing priorities to maximize personal and team effectiveness.
• Ability to keep detailed, accurate and complete records and documentation as needed.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, email and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Leader competencies in previous experience or practice.
• Must pass DCFS background check and maintain clearance throughout employment
• Willing and able to work flexible hours, potentially including some evenings and Saturdays; hours may be adjusted to accommodate program needs
• Occasional travel in the Chicagoland area may be required for training
• This position is a union position

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