Infant Teacher Aide - Alexandria, United States - United Community (formerly UCM, United Community Ministries)

Description

As a team member, the Classroom Aide assists the teaching staff in all aspects of the center program and is receptive to learning and gaining experience in the early care and education filed while pursuing the CDA.

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  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Understand and fulfill the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Care Centers (Department of Social Services, Commonwealth of Virginia). Attached is the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child day Care Centers which requires signature of the employee.
• Facilitate the development of the "whole" child, enhancing each child's selfesteem and independence.
• Treat each child with dignity and respect, recognizing and considering the individual needs of each child in relation to cultural and socioeconomic background, handicaps, special talents and interests, style and pace of learning; communicate effectively and appropriately with the age group assigned.
• Provide a nurturing atmosphere for the children demonstrated by interacting on child's eye level, sitting on the floor with children, providing appropriate physical contact for comforting and reassurance.
• Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
• Work interactively with children in all activity areas in classroom or outdoors as assigned; implement and support Developmentally Appropriate Practices, providing a stimulating environment for the children. ADDENDUM is attached for the assigned classroom age group with specific practices for the development of these children.
• Develop and demonstrate an understanding of UC's performance and quality improvement program, the Total Learning Continuum (TLC),
• Help children learn to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and to respect themselves and others.
• Assist children in developing good personal hygiene, changing diapers, toilet training and washing of hands.
• Maintains structure and assist in control of the classroom at all times including during episodes of children's upsets and emergency situations.
• Follow all procedures and requirements as noted by UC policy & procedures and in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia's licensing requirements to assure the safety of the children in your assigned environment, monitoring their safety at all times.
• Implement limit setting for children according to the policies of the Center.
• Protect confidential information of both the child(ren) and families associated with the BEL Center.
• Prepare and maintain space and materials for classroom and outdoor activities.

• Greeting each person warmly during drop off and pick up, sharing both positive and negative events of the child's day, by taking an interest in the family as a whole, and by responding to parent/guardian/family questions and concerns.
• Maintaining confidentiality with information relating to parent(s)/guardian(s)/family and children, being careful what information is shared with other staff.
• Encouraging family participation in classroom program, special activities, parent/guardian meetings and training.

• Maintain classroom ratio of staff to children at all times and knowing when to call the Director of Child Care Services for additional staff support to maintain required levels of coverage.
• Support teaching staff in carrying out center's discipline policy.
• Provide interactive supervision on the playground.
• Feed and supervise children during meals and eat with them as age level requires.
• Assist and serve breakfast, lunch and snacks according to the planned menu; clean up afterwards including high chairs, tables and floors.
• Share with the classroom staff the responsibility of maintaining a clean room. Clean & Disinfect toys and equipment according to center standards.
• Report problems, illness of a child or signs of child abuse promptly to the Director of Child Care Services, Assistant Director of child Care Services or the Child Development Specialist.
• Adhere to UC Personnel Policies and Procedures and help maintain the UC "Statement of Philosophy" and the BEL Center Philosophy" as written in the Personnel Manual.
• Assist the teacher in implementing the lesson plan, center program and supervision of children.
• Prepare room for nap by moving furniture and placing costs on the floor; assist in settling children down for nap; return cots and furniture after nap time.
• Assist with special centerwide projects and activities as assigned.
• Assist staff in general maintenance of classroom environment including picking up and sorting toys, moving furniture.

• Participate in training (minimum of 32 hours per year) without compensation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regard