Early Learning Center – Teacher Assistant Position Available In Providence, Rhode Island

Early Learning Center

• Teacher Assistant Federal Hill House Association 9 Courtland Street, Providence, RI 02909

Summary:

Federal Hill House (FHH) is a nonprofit social service agency in Providence, Rhode Island. Our mission is to help our neighbors in Federal Hill, Olneyville, and the surrounding community thrive, at every stage of life. Federal Hill House’s Early Learning Center (ELC) is a high-quality, bi-lingual program that strives to meet and exceed Bright Stars and DHS standards. We are rated at four stars in the BrightStars rating system. Our ELC serves children 6 weeks to five years within six classrooms: Infants (6 weeks-18 months) Toddlers (18 months

• 3 years); Pre-School (3
• 5 years).

The ELC uses the Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold. Our program encourages bilingualism and offers teaching in English and Spanish. We are a team-oriented center, offer professional development opportunities, and schedule common planning time to encourage effective team teaching approaches. FHH’s program portfolio includes Providence Talks (parent-child playgroups that promote early language and literacy); a family support team; school age child care, 21st Century Learning Centers, and summer camp; work-based learning for youth and young adults; a high-volume food pantry; free income tax preparation; an active senior center; and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer opportunities.

Job Description Overview:

The Early Learning Center Teacher Assistant , in partnership with the Lead Teacher or Teacher, is responsible for supporting the academic and social-emotional growth and development of all of the children in their care. Under the guidance of the Teacher, they are responsible for the day-to-day management of their classroom including providing a clean and safe environment for the children; forming positive relationships with and communicating openly with families; and supporting supervision of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. They are responsible for maintaining compliance with Federal Hill House’s policies and procedures, as well as state and local government contracting agencies [i.e. RI Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)]. In addition, they are expected to work collegially with other staff members of Federal Hill House.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Health & Safety:

Ensure the safety of all children in our program by providing active supervision in the classroom at all times Comply with licensing regulations related to child care Complete daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of the children Complete daily classroom cleaning and maintenance in accordance with DHS and CDC standards Follow all protocols for feeding children in accordance with CACFP regulations

Classroom Environment:

Ensure a healthy, safe, clean and developmentally appropriate environment for children Support positive classroom culture, supporting structure, routine, clear rules and expectations; and utilizing consistency, positive reinforcement, redirection, & prevention (proactive rather than reactive) Following classroom curriculum; prepare and provide materials that are concrete and relevant to the children’s interests and culture, encourage active exploration, and positive social interaction Provide a classroom environment that encourages family participation Curriculum & Learning Experiences Understand and assist in implementation of Individual Learning Plans for each child that are developed by the Teacher that includes their needs, strengths, areas to be improved, interests, and any other service plans they may have Under the guidance of Teacher, implement lesson plan activities and experiences that are developmentally appropriate and nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development Facilitate and nurture the development of each child’s self-esteem, trust, and growing autonomy by fostering warm, responsive relationships with each child Be responsive to children’s different and personal needs (verbal and non-verbal cues), temperament styles, abilities, and cultures Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child’s background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the classroom and lesson plans

Assessment & Documentation:

Review

ITERS/ ECERS

assessments with Teacher to understand the role in implementing classroom quality improvement. Contribute to ongoing developmental assessments of children using screening and assessment tools as directed by Teacher Record daily health checks; review and carry out health plans for special diets, allergies, medication administration, etc. Complete daily meal and attendance records in accordance with CACFP and FHH policies

Family Engagement & Communication:

Develop and maintain positive relationships and ongoing, open communication with parents/ caregivers, including utilizing a parent communication app Work with Teacher to understand families’ educational and wellness goals Assist families with children’s transitions between classrooms

Other:

Must believe in and act in accordance with both the agency’s and the program’s mission & vision Report all staffing and classroom concerns to the ELC Education Director in a timely manner Report parent communication to ELC administration in a timely manner Comply with mandated reporting regulations for suspected child abuse or neglect, notifying program director immediately of any concerns Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, one-on-one meetings, family-teacher conferences, Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) meetings, and other meetings as directed Participate in a minimum of 24 hours per year of on-going in-service and educational development opportunities provided or required by the agency Other duties as assigned Hours Average 25 hours per week with the addition of required attendance at after-hours meetings and events which require Center representation.

Reports to:

Education Coordinator /

Lead Teacher Work & Education Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age. High school diploma. One year of assistant teaching experience with children in a childcare center setting Bilingual (English/ Spanish) a plus CDA, Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and/or RIDE Teacher Assistant certification preferred (not required)

Certification Requirements:

Must be CPR/ First Aid certified (preferred, but willing to provide training)

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: Have the ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, and in case of emergency, a 40-pound child Speak and hear well Frequently take walks; be able to run if needed Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls Reach with hands and arms Switch between standing and sitting often Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Requirements:

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check include:

• RI Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Check
• National FBI Fingerprint Criminal History Check
• State criminal background check
• State Sex Offender Registry (RISOR) check
• National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) check
• Interstate Criminal, Sex Offender Registry, and Child Abuse and Neglect Registry (for any individual who has lived outside of Rhode Island in the previous five years) Must provide health records:
• A physical that clears you to perform all duties required for this position
• A note from your physician that states you are free of all communicable diseases
• Vaccination records with up to date vaccinations required by

DHS:

1 dose of Flu vaccine every year; 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine; 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine; 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

• F.H.H. requires that all their employees be vaccinated against Covid-19 Must have knowledge of:
• RI Department of Human Services (DHS) childcare regulations
• BrightStars
• Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Must possess:
• A love for children and teaching
• A positive and professional attitude /disposition
• Problem solving skills
• Classroom and behavior management skills Excellent verbal communication and writing skills (in English as well as Spanish if bilingual)
• Organizational and priority setting skills Must be able to:
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, colleagues, parents/ caregivers, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers
• Use the tablet/computer to input developmental data
• Manage confidential information
• Effectively plan, organize and implement educational activities
• Make decisions on behalf of children and protect their well-being Federal Hill House is committed to its diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Job Type:

Full-time and Part-time positions available

Salary:

hourly: $16.50 per hour

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, multiple shifts available: 7:00am

• 12:30pm, 12:00pm-5:30pm, 7:00am-3pm, 9:30am-5:30pm

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

One location; In person

Job Types:

Full-time, Part-time Pay:

$16.50 per hour Expected hours: 25

• 35 per week

Benefits:

Paid time off

Schedule:

Monday to

Friday Work Location:

In person