Major Function:

Support full-time staff in Ames Community Preschool Center’s (ACPC) classrooms and school-age sites.  Teacher Aides directly support full-time staff in the successful implementation of programming, and supervision of children throughout the day.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Programming

• Work with full time staff in planning and executing classroom goals and activities.
• Provide appropriate positive guidance to children according to ACPC guidelines.
• Collaborate to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children at ACPC.
• Maintain neat and orderly classrooms and common storage areas.
• Assist in the supervision of children always.
• Supervise and eat with children at meal times. Follow USDA food regulations.
• Attend staff in-service meetings as needed.
• Help maintain records as assigned.
• Report any suspicions of child abuse to the HOT LINE and to the director.
• Carry out group activities as requested by the full-time staff. Supervise children while napping, at rest times, and other periods.
• Take initiative to be responsible for routine activities.

Parent & Child Relations

• Securely maintain and store child paperwork on-site.
• Maintain open lines of communication with families related to services, policies and procedural changes. Report any concerns or problems to the head teacher, or ACPC administration.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of diverse families, addressing concerns as needed.
• Provide high level of quality service to existing families.
• Be continuously engaged with children during play.

Professionalism

• Attend weekly staff meetings, and in-service as needed.
• Communicate appropriate information to full-time personnel and ACPC administration as needed.
• Maintain open communication between classrooms and school-age sites.
• Project a positive center image in the community.

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Requirements:

• At least 16 years of age.
• Excellent communication skills and problem-solving ability.
• Be able to pass the required physical exams.
• Be competent to work independently, without direct supervision as needed.
• Have a first aid and CPR certificate or be willing to obtain.
• Must be able to pass a physical examination for employees in a childcare center.
• Pass the Criminal Records Check.
• Complete required trainings as issued through the Iowa Department of Human Services for employees at a childcare center.

Reporting to this position: No direct reports.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk. The employee will occasionally crouch or crawl.  The employees will frequently use and talk on the telephone and use a computer and other office equipment.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to drive a vehicle.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently located inside an office building. While outdoors, the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.