Head Start Teacher Assistant & Transportation Aide

Position Purpose
Department | Head Start
Reports to | Head Start Teacher
Employment Type | Non Exempt

Assists the classroom teacher in planning and carrying out individual and group activities to meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of preschool children.  Assists in maintaining a classroom conducive to happy learning and development of preschool children.  Attends meetings, workshops and participates in related training when necessary.  Establishes and maintains good staff/parent relationships   Serves as transportation aide as required.

Job Requirements and Skills
  • Responsible for relaying communication between parents and staff
  • Assists teacher in carrying out activities with children in the classroom as needed as well as the educational program
  • Assumes Lead Teacher role when teacher is absent
  • Assists in the establishment of a safe and healthy learning environment
  • Assists in the development of self-help skills
  • Assists in stimulating physical growth
  • Aids in receptive and expressive language development, making extensive use of open-ended questions and frequently writing down/reading back children’s own words
  • Assist in building positive social skills
  • Eats with children sharing the same menu
  • Assists in establishing good home and center communications
  • Assists teacher in observing and recording skills in children’s portfolios and provides follow-up activities in the lesson plan
  • Maintains appropriate and positive voice tone with children in the classroom
  • Assists the teacher on two home visits and parent conferences per year
  • Assists in sanitizing and cleaning classroom daily and weekly
  • Flexible in areas of work schedules and work sites; will be punctual when reporting to work
  • Works to help classroom meet in-kind goal monthly
  • Attends meetings (including parent meetings), workshops and takes further training when necessary
  • Calls supervisor when unable to report to work due to tardiness, sickness and emergencies
  • Performs other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
  • Must have a Child Development Associate Certification, High School Diploma or GED.
  • Willing to enroll in ACDA Credential Program to be completed within two years of the time of hire
  • Must have hands-on experience working with preschool children
  • Should have access to car and possess a valid Virginia Operator’s license
  • Must be willing to work with parents
  • Obtain CPR/First Aid Certification with three months of employment
  • Must have a physical exam completed prior to employment and renewed every two years thereafter
  • Must have a Tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to employment
  • Must be familiar with ethnic background of the children served
Physical Requirements
  • Sit 50% of workday
  • Stand 50% of workday
  • Uses computer, calculator and other office equipment
  • Occasionally lift 25 pounds

“Agency employees share in the responsibility to mobilize community resources and promote community awareness in support of Tri-County Community Action Agency’s anti-poverty efforts.”