Center Aide

About the position

Join our team and embrace a versatile position working under the guidance of our Education Specialist. You'll find excitement in the diversity of tasks that may lead you to multiple locations within our center. Your primary role includes providing support in the classroom, ensuring a safe playground environment, and fostering the health, safety, and school readiness of our young learners. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to contribute to transportation, kitchen operations, family services, and developmental specialties.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all supervision, safety, and health policies and procedures.
• Actively supervise and engage with children, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Foster a supportive environment for children to develop and practice appropriate behaviors.
• Promote children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and language development through culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Create a classroom environment defined by positive, warm, caring, and respectful interactions with children.
• Demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to children's emotional, physical, and educational needs.
• Collaborate with teachers to engage children in activities and maintain a classroom that offers ongoing learning opportunities.
• Encourage practices that support dual-language learners.
• Encourage learning through interaction with nature and the natural environment.
• Assist in implementing suitable learning activities for children with IFSPs and IEPs.
• Set an example by using proper grammar and maintaining an appropriate voice level.
• Support classroom sanitation and cleaning schedules.
• Ensure sanitation during mealtimes and follow guidelines for family-style meal service.
• Be open to feedback and act based on recommendations from supervisors and advisors.
• Embrace additional responsibilities that contribute to the center's objectives.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Entry-level position welcomes candidates with or without prior education or experience.
• Enthusiasm to work with children, including those with special needs and limited English proficiency.
• Physical demands include extended periods of walking, standing, kneeling, crouching, and the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable sitting on the floor, crawling, running, and performing tasks associated with caring for children aged 0-5.
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English is a plus.
• High school diploma or GED is highly preferred; CDA within the first six months or an AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field is advantageous.
• Must present current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handler's permits or acquire them within 30 days of hire.