General Description of Class
The EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT aids Early Childhood Association Teacher in a child care and development facility by assisting with the provision of a preschool/extended day program. Assistants may act as models for classroom aides and practicum students.
Distinguishing Features
This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Instructional Assistance. Typical tasks: assists Early Childhood Association Teacher in planning, preparing and implementing curriculum in areas of motor, language, social, cognitive and creative arts through specific activity areas (e.g., art, music, stories, games, play stations). Interact with children in small group, large group and one to one settings by directing activities, guiding freeplay and assisting children in self help skill.
- Behavior Observation. Typical tasks: observes and records specific developmental data on prepared forms as instructed; monitors playground activities to ensure compliance with safety; assists in practicum student evaluation.
- Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: participates in preparation and clean-up of snacks and meals; helps maintain a safe, attractive and neat environment; assembles and arranges materials for bulletin boards and displays of children's work; assists in recording and maintaining of children's files (i.e. health and social records, parents schedules); communicates concerns to parents as necessary; attends staff meetings.
Relationships with Others
Employees in this class have daily contact with preschool and school age children in child development facilities, and regular contact with parents of children when parents deliver and pickup children. They have regular contact with practicum students and aides working with young children.
Supervision Received
Employees in this class receive direct supervision from an Early Childhood Association Teacher, who assigns work verbally and in writing and reviews work in progress for timely completion and adherence to agency policies and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
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a minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Special Education; OR
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a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR
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one year of full-time experience in a certified day care center or comparable child care program.