Job Description

Job Location: Higginbotham - Phenix City, AL 36869
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $19.36 - $20.09 Hourly

Job Category: EducationJob

Summary:
Incumbent provides for the establishment, maintenance, and management of classroom activities and providing those services necessary to meet the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards.
Major Responsibilities/Activities:
- Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families of Enrichment Services Program.
- Understand and demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.
- Staff interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
- Staff respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.
- Staff communicates directly with each child at the child's level.
- Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
- Assist and be responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
- Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
- Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
- Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to NAEYC.
- Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.
- Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and daily schedules.
- Assist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.
- Recruit volunteers and solicits in-kind contributions.
- Attend meetings, trainings and workshop as required.
- Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.
- Serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families and children.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.
Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition:
- Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.
- Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
- Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.
- Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
- Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).
- Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
- Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
- Assist in arrangement of space into clearly defined, well organized activity areas.
Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently

QualificationsMinimum Requirements:
- Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education OR in a related field (Child Development, Elementary Education, etc.) and minimum one year DECAL experience working with children from birth to 5 years of age.( Masters preferred)
Essential Mental Functions:
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and staff.
Benefits
We value our team members and are pleased to offer a flexible benefits package for all eligible employees. Our package includes:
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance (50,000)
- Voluntary Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- FSA – Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Generous Paid Time Off (Sick, Personal, and  Holidays)
- 401(k) Plan