General Functions
The Child Development Associate is responsible for assisting the classroom teacher in all aspects of planning, evaluation and instruction of child development/school readiness skills as assessed appropriate to the needs of the children enrolled in the program. The CDA will also assist the teacher as appropriate in all programming and related functions relevant to the developmental/educational program for the child enrollees in his/her classroom; and assist in the integration of all required components in accordance with the NC RESA preschool curriculum and philosophy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associates Degree in Early Childhood or Child Development; or valid classroom CDA credential; or existing 120-hour approval
- Experience working with preschool children
Essential Duties
Essential duties shall include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain a working knowledge of child development and its integration with the NC RESA preschool curriculum and philosophy, including early childhood best practices.
- Assist with the implementation of lesson plans, design of classroom environment, data collection and record keeping associated with highest quality developmental/educational programming for the preschool aged children in his/her center-based classroom.
- Assist with ongoing observation and review of all children enrolled in the program.
- Assist with classroom needs and arranging materials for daily activities and routines.
- Actively participate in all classroom activities, including ongoing positive engagement with children.
- Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and other scheduled program activities relevant to the child development needs of enrolled children.
- Provide input into planning for continuous program improvement.
- Complete all required reports and records on time, and submit them on time and in a professional manner (i.e. electronic and/or paper time sheets).
- Act as a resource, if needed, to employees, students and the general public visiting the NC RESA.
- Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.
- Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Executive Director of Intervention and Prevention Services, Early Childhood Consultants and/or classroom teacher.
Relationships and Other Duties
The Child Development Associate shall be directly responsible to the Executive Director of Intervention and Prevention Services and the Building Bridges Preschool Classroom Teacher and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through:
- adherence to and enforcement of agency policies and administrative regulations,
- performance resulting in quality outcomes,
- performance resulting in internal and external consumer satisfaction,
- continuous personal and professional improvement and development,
- positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and consumers,
- continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation,
- exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of the position, and
- supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan.
Other Required Skills
- able to communicate effectively (language skills),
- ability to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills),
- able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (reasoning skills),
- physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job (physical demands, including lifting of children, squatting, sitting on floor, outdoor activities, etc.). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
- general classroom setting; the noise level in this position varies.
- other settings of the preschool such as: Motor Room, Gym, Playground, Therapy room
Terms of Employment
- hourly/at-will employee (non-exempt)
- school year position; hours may vary
- employment is based on student enrollment and classroom needs
- position covered by administrative regulations
- evaluated bi-annually by the Executive Director of Intervention and Prevention Services
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. It is the policy of Newaygo County RESA that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, marital status or other trait or characteristic protected by federal or state employment discrimination statutes, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination during programs, activities, and employment.
NC RESA reserves the right to alter/amend this job description at any time.
