Child Care Assistant

Position Summary

The caregiver will prepare children, infants to 5 years, for elementary school by developing lesson plans, supervising academic and emotional development, maintaining open communication with parent’s/guardians to help children’s transition into elementary school setting.

• Structures a developmentally appropriate educational experience in the classroom using methods such as storytelling, games, and activities.
• Enforces safety and security standards for children, staff, and visitors.
• Supervise children at all times, as specified under Texas Administrative code:
  • Knowing which children are assigned to the Caregiver.
  • Knowing how many children the Caregiver is responsible.
  • Knowing each child’s name and having information showing each child's age.
  • Ensure each child’s safety and well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child’s on going activity as appropriate.
  • Intervene when necessary to ensure each child’s safety.
• Ensure supervision of children considers the below regulations under Texas Administrative code.
  • The child’s chronological age.
  • The child’s current stage of development.
  • The child’s individual differences and abilities.
  • The indoor and outdoor layout of the operation.
  • The circumstances, hazards, and risks surrounding the child; and.
  • The child’s physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.
• Fosters a cooperative rather than a competitive atmosphere
• Prepare lesson plans and other materials for class activities.
• Prepare classroom for daily class activities.
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Interact with children in a positive manner.
• Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities and guide students in learning from those activities.
• Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
• Teaches students to follow rules and procedures in the classroom and school.
• Monitors students’ progress throughout the year and evaluates preparedness for kindergarten.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying habits, interests, strengths, and any special needs, including any special supervision needs or care.
• Communicates all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents and the director, suggesting ways to promote learning and development.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, and parents or guardians.
• Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
• Set appropriate behavior expectations based on the child’s current stage of development
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by sharing with incoming caregivers information about each child’s activities during the previous shift and any verbal or written instructions given by the parent.
• Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
• Maintains required paperwork for individual student files, attendance and incident reports, and other necessary records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation to DFPS as specified in the Texas Family Code.
• Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices in early childhood education.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.