Job Title: Early Childhood Assistant
Work Schedule: 6:15 AM - 6:00 PM
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To successfully provide children with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment while supporting the Early Childhood Educator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Knowledgeable in the Developmental Milestones for the assigned classroom.
- Communicate with all parents regarding their child’s development.
- Follow weekly lesson plans, incorporating sensory activities, stories, music, art, science, math, and motor skill development across physical, social, emotional, and intellectual areas.
- Ensure the best interests of all children are met.
- Adhere to the Bay City Public Schools Early Childhood Centers Employee Handbook.
- Follow all Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers set by the State of Michigan Department of Human Services.
- Understand and comply with the Bay City Public Schools Early Childhood Centers Program Guide and Health Policies and Procedures.
- Maintain current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid certification.
- Follow OSHA procedures for blood-borne pathogens.
- Participate in mandatory continuing education staff meetings for ongoing professional development.
- Be knowledgeable about all emergency procedures and routinely practice them.
- Arrive at work on time, prepared, and ready to meet children's needs.
- Engage in professional, child-friendly, and respectful communication.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and relationships while on the job.
- Contribute to joint responsibilities and teamwork.
- Interact with children positively and patiently, engaging in play at their level.
- Greet parents, children, visitors, and staff in a friendly and welcoming manner, noting any pertinent information or instructions.
- Maintain open communication with parents to build mutual understanding and consistency for children.
- Share ideas and accept suggestions to contribute to program development.
- Respond promptly to children’s needs for food or comfort to build trust.
- Praise children's accomplishments to foster competence and confidence.
- Ensure children treat each other with gentleness and respect their curiosity about others.
- Send daily notes home to parents regarding their child’s day in the Infant, Wobbler, and Toddler classrooms.
- Model language development through communication, singing, and reading.
- Encourage brain development through touch, sound, movement, sensory exploration, and visual experiences.
- Recognize each child as a unique individual with distinct growth and development patterns.
- Maintain awareness of all children’s activities in the classroom at all times.
- Assist with implementing group instruction plans.
- Keep the classroom clean and organized.
- Record feedings, diaper changes, medication administration, and sleep patterns for children under one year of age.
- Ensure mouthed toys are placed in the dirty toy bin immediately after use.
- Follow safe sleep practices: Infants must be placed in cribs on their backs to sleep, and cribs are the only approved sleeping equipment.
- Clean high chairs/chairs after meals using the three-step sanitation process; sweep floors and disassemble high chairs for cleaning at least once per week.
- Exhibit enjoyment and enthusiasm while working with children.
DIMENSIONS OF POSITION
- Assist the Early Childhood Educator in supervising children and personnel assigned to the classroom under the guidance of the Center Administrator.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Meet the minimum requirements as set by the State of Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing for Lead Caregiver.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate responsible character and suitability for working with children.
- Have a current physical exam and TB test.
- Have a genuine love for children.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS
- Current First Aid, Adult and Pediatric CPR, and AED certification required.
COMPUTER SKILLS
- Ability to communicate via email.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to read technical procedures, program guides, health policies, and licensing requirements.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Ability to work with fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to solve practical problems and manage various tasks with limited standardization.
- Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, and schedule-based instructions.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Apply knowledge of current research and theory in early childhood education.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, peers, and the community.
- Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
- Perform duties in compliance with district requirements, Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal laws.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Regularly required to stand, talk, and hear; may also be required to walk and sit.
- Occasionally required to push or lift up to 50 pounds.
- Responsible for the safety and well-being of children and others.
- Requires close vision for reading handwritten or typed materials and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to handle multiple demands from various individuals while interacting with staff, children, and the public.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The noise level is typically moderate to loud.
- Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors.
Note: This job description complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and additional duties may be assigned as needed.
