Classroom Assistant (ECEAP)

The Classroom Assistant works in collaboration with the Team Leader and Family Service Teacher to ensure a preschool classroom provides an educational environment that is developmentally and linguistically appropriate and accommodates children’s individual rates of development as well as individual interests, temperaments, cultural backgrounds and learning styles.  The person will work with the Team Leader and Family Service Teacher to ensure that the team works in accordance with the service delivery plans, ECEAP Performance Standards, USDA requirements, state licensing requirements and agency policies and procedures.  

Responsibilities: 
1. Assist the Team Leader and the Family Service Teacher in the following duties as outlined in the service delivery plan:
•    Assist in implementing classroom activities and preparation of materials and supplies.
•    Assist in administering developmental assessments and for all children.
•    Implement, support, and promote policies and procedures for Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Guidance and Active Supervision.
•    Conduct child observations and input data as assigned.  
•    Document all contact directly received from parents. Assist Team Leaders in entering documentation into Gold and working towards completing IEP goals.
•    Assist with the scheduling of parent teacher conferences and home visits and participate in the conferences/visits as assigned. 
•    Provide assistance to classroom volunteers and parents to help them feel comfortable and successful in the classroom by providing guidance and direction to them during the classroom session. 
•    Use practices that value cultural backgrounds, special needs, and developmentally appropriate practices.
•    In the absence of the Team Leader, the CA may be assigned Team Leader responsibilities and duties. 
2. Maintain a safe, healthy and sanitary environment ensuring that children are supervised at all times;  Respond quickly to crisis or emergency situations that may occur; provide first aid, CPR, and access  Emergency services as needed. 
3.  Actively participate in professional development/coaching to improve children’s learning and performance
4.  Actively participate in family nights, parent meetings, staff meetings, professional development opportunities and all relevant center activities. 
5. Be committed to applying EPIC’s Core values to daily work by maintaining professionalism, accountability, consistency with program standards, and promptly reporting observed concerns through appropriate channels and following our Speak Up, Speak Out guidelines.
6. Actively participate in the creation & implementation of children’s individualized guidance plans, including staffing with your team. 
7. Actively engage in coaching sessions by; being open to apply and analyze new teaching practices with the support of the ECEAP Early Learning Coach. 
8. Actively participate in a team approach with goal setting. 

Working Conditions/Physical/ Mental Abilities and Processes:
Work requires daily standing, sitting, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, speaking, hearing, seeing and the ability to articulate clearly; use of hands to finger, bending and reaching.
Ability to feel or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms.
Ability to work with personal computer for long periods of time.
Some travel to and from main office and training sites

Benefits:
•    Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans
•    Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)
•    Paid Holidays (9)
•    Seedling Scholarship Available
•    Employee Assistance Program
•    Basic Life Insurance
•    403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)
•    As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.

Conditions of Employment:
 
Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, Tb skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.
Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee).
Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in Merit. 
Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
Current Food Handlers card.
Current First Aid/CPR card. 
Prior to the first day, complete Health & Safety training certificates through DCYF student training portal. 
Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire
Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.
Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.
CEO Approval.
 

Minimum Qualifications:
1.    High School Diploma or GED required
2.    ECE State Initial Certificate or equivalent &/or willingness to work towards AA in ECE.
3.    Childcare Basic 30 hours STARS training or educational exemption in MERIT.
4.    One year of classroom work experience in a preschool setting.
5.    Demonstrated ability to work closely with other team members, ability to grasp a team-centered approach to delivery of services for children and families.

Preferred Qualifications:
•    AA in Early Childhood Education
•    Bilingual (English/Spanish)