Teacher Assistant

Newport News, Virginia

Overview
Works with the Lead Teacher and other assistants as a cohesive team. Assists in the implementation of the center curriculum, and the day-to-day operational activities of the classroom. Supports overall classroom management to include, but not limited to high-quality interactions, learning, care, and behavior guidance. Demonstrates knowledge of child development in a stimulating, engaged, supportive classroom environment. Ensures compliance with Virginia State Licensing regulations for Childcare Centers.

What you will do

• Maintains sight and sound supervision of children at all times. Oversees the complete daily care of all children in their assigned classroom to ensure children are safe, organized, happy, and engaged in age-appropriate activities. Responsible for overall safety and cleanliness in compliance with center policies and Virginia State Licensing regulations. Ensures that children’s daily needs are met, and caregiving events are attended to in a timely, consistent manner; to include diapering/toileting needs, clothing changes as applicable, preparing and serving of meals, resting, cleanliness, and safety/prevention of injuries. Ensures attendance is taken daily, proper paperwork is posted, accurate, and updated as necessary.
• Continuously supports and monitors children's physical, mental, social, emotional, and academic development. Encourages understanding of others and positive self-concepts. Assists in distributing, administering, and completing all required assessments and progress reports regarding development, as applicable for each age group. Assists in identifying signs of emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems in children and brings them to the Lead Teacher’s attention. Assists in implementing a plan of action when necessary, utilizing center resources.
• Communicates with parents daily regarding their child. Keeps records on individual children, including daily observations, daily caregiving events, and information about activities, including meals served, and medications administered. Provides ongoing communication as necessary about daily activities, behaviors and related issues, needs or concerns as they relate to the center or the children. Communicates consistently with parents through the electronic parent communication app, email, by phone, or in person.
• Maintains a welcoming, comfortable, and clean learning environment. Learning centers and playground areas have adequate, age-appropriate toys, equipment, and supplies available to children. The toys and materials are organized in way that maintains order in activity areas. The classroom environment reflects the current curriculum themes through various learning materials, decorations, and displaying of children’s artwork at their eye level. Daily learning activities encourage growth in all aspects of child development; physical (fine and gross motor), mental, social, emotional, and academic development. Lesson plans offer experiences in science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math as appropriate for each assigned age group.
• Committed to high-quality interactions. Implements the center goals and philosophy regarding high-quality interactions with children, parents, and employees. Participates in, observes, and monitors children's play activities and provides age-appropriate behavior guidance. Focuses on children learning the core skills; relate, regulate, think, communicate, and move. Demonstrates flexibility, reliability and a positive, supportive attitude towards children, parents and employees. Maintains open communication, with proper tone and body language, with all children, parents and employees.
• Capable of assuming the responsibilities of the classroom in the absence of the Lead Teacher. Serves as a positive role model to other employees with whom they work. Builds authentic connections with their teaching team, recognizes strengths and weaknesses, earns trust, sets goals, solicits feedback, and holds them accountable. Provides an overall sense of teamwork, promoting a positive culture, and recognizes they play a vital role in each child’s development. Exhibits a professional attitude at all times and maintains respect and cooperation when working with others.
• Arrives to work on time and ready to contribute. Accepts responsibility and works independently to meet deadlines. Demonstrates responsibility and time management by completing mandatory requirements to include but not limited to monthly lesson plans & newsletters, weekly attendance, annual training hours, certifications & renewals, and staff meeting attendance.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, High school or equivalent (Required)
• Associates Degree, Early Childhood Education (Preferred)

Experience

• Less than 1 year Early Childhood/Child Care (6 months minimum) (Required)
• 1 year Education/Training - Teacher Assistant (Preferred)

To learn more about being a team member with Riverside Health System visit us at https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.