ASSISTANT NURTURER (Infant/Toddler Care) - Beloit Center

Description

Fulltime/Full year $19.14 per hour

The Early Head Start Assistant Nurturer supports the Early Head Start mission by partnering with the Lead Nurturer to provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that promotes school readiness for infants and toddlers. The Assistant and Lead Nurturers collaborate with families, recognizing parents as a child's first teacher, and work with staff and community partners to integrate comprehensive services that support every child's growth, development, and family engagement.

BENEFITS:

Rock Walworth CFS offers a generous benefit package to regular employees that work 30 hours or more per week. The benefit package includes the option to enroll in health, dental insurance, and vision insurance. Rock Walworth CFS has a 401 K contribution to employees after 1 year of employment. 

Requirements

RECORDKEEPING 

• Complete observations, documentation and utilization of on-line, on-going assessment as assigned, and support child’s portfolio development.
• Complete documentation of parent contact as required and communicate family emergency contact information changes, and all other information pertinent to the child’s health, safety, well-being, and educational progress to appropriate staff per program policy and procedure.
• Participate in the collection of In-Kind donations and documentation, as well as recording At Home Project hours and any classroom volunteer hours, or hours contributed by professionals.
• Submit files, records, reports, including data, as guided and when requested. Submit appropriate program request forms and receipts for materials and equipment when required.
• Complete all required paperwork according to program policies and procedures: weekly attendance records, USDA reports (daily meal counts), Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting form, monthly volunteer records, and all other records as required.  Complete Classroom daytime family engagement reports, which include any activities or events that parents are invited to attend.
• Conduct and document screenings assigned.  As assigned conduct and/or support parents in completing program adopted developmental and social emotional screening tool with each child according to screening procedures within 45 days of each child’s first day of attendance.

CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

• Work collaboratively with agency staff assigned to the classroom to prepare and conduct daily, individualized programming, for children and families according to lesson plans based on developmentally appropriate and best practices.
• Support the integration of a variety of activities including but not limited to, music, movement and outdoor/active play, health, dental, nutrition and safety into the classroom day. Incorporate learning opportunities that foster the development of skills, behavior, language and literacy, cognition, and motor skills through implementation of program approved research-based curriculum approaches.
• Ensure continuity for children working cooperatively and guiding assigned substitute teachers when co-worker is absent.
• Assist in the development and execution of lesson plans according to agency and supervisor expectations. 
• Use the Positive Guidance policy and personal safety guidance with children including any program approved curriculum.  Provide behavior management for individual children, including participating in consultation with the Mental Health Consultant.
• Follow all conduct and safety policies and procedures to always ensure the children’s safety including ensuring children are always within sight and sound or RWCFS staff. 
• Individualize services to children in support of scaffolding, Individual Service Plans and IEP or IFSP. Participate in the IEP, IFSP process if/when assigned 

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP BUILDING 

• Advise parents and caregivers of classroom, agency, and Early Head Start activities, events, meetings and program initiatives, such as Family Literacy, Parent Center Meetings, Family Nights, Play Groups, Fatherhood Friday (or other fatherhood focused activities) and other appropriate workshops, trainings or other opportunities for family engagement. 
• Assist and participate in planning, setting up, conducting and clean-up of family events as assigned.
• Support the Lead Teacher in preparing for and conducting required home visits and conferences.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT  

• Communicate with parents through a variety of mediums to provide program orientation, involve them in their child’s education, discuss their child’s progress, suggest activities that can be continued in the home, and develop individualized programing.
• Assist families with transition planning for children into and out of Early Head Start, and to the next appropriate setting.

COMMUNICATION

• Maintain documentation of parent contact regarding child behavior and adjustment to school, home visits, health and nutritional needs, educational curriculum, goals and progress, family emergency contact information changes, and all other information pertinent to the child’s health, safety, well-being and educational progress.
• Maintain communication with families regarding parent concerns, parent living conditions or requests for assistance. 
• Maintain an established work schedule, punctual, accountable; and willing to adapt schedule to meet unexpected needs and changes of the agency.
• Follow and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations. 
• Maintain open and positive communication and create a supportive/encouraging atmosphere for children, families and co-workers. 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with daily upkeep and cleanliness of designated classroom and facility as assigned.
• Assist with maintenance of inventory, supplies and equipment.
• Follow all DCF 251 Child Care Licensing Regulations for Group Childcare, WI Department of Transportation regulations and all bus monitor safety procedures and practices, Child and Adult Food Program requirements and requirements of Head start Acts and Head Start Performance Standards.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned to the position.

It is the responsibility of the individual to inform the employer of any accommodation that is needed to perform the essential functions of this position. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Transcripts are required to validate educational requirements.
• Reliable Transportation - The employee will be assigned to work primarily in one service region; however, the employee will be expected to travel to other regions with little notice as needed and assigned.
• Employees must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certificates.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to always maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain good attendance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to operate a variety of office machines such as computers, keyboards, copiers, FAX machines, computer printers, etc.
• It is desirable for the employee to be fluent in English and Spanish.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, & EMOTIONAL DEMANDS:

Employees must be able to always demonstrate that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally able to meet the requirements of their job. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• General Office Tasks: Sitting for long periods, moving from location to location (within buildings and from site to site) and using a computer for extended periods of time.
• Communication: Speaking clearly, hearing, and using hands to handle objects or controls.
• Physical Activity: Depending on the job, managers might need to lift, bend, or crouch.
• Visual Acuity: Seeing details of objects at various distances, as well as depth perception. The ability to withstand blue light from computer screens, smart phones, and other technology.
• Auditory Acuity: The ability to hear and focus on conversations and potentially respond quickly to sounds. 

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Cognitive Skills: Learning new information, remembering processes, focusing, categorizing, and integrating information for decision-making. Making timely and effective decisions under pressure.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying problems, analyzing situations, and finding solutions.
• Organization and Planning: Organizing tasks, setting priorities, and managing time effectively.
• Adaptability: Adapting to changing situations and priorities.
• Stress Management: Managing stress and maintaining composure under pressure. 

EMOTIONAL DEMANDS:

• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and responding to the emotions of team members. Understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses and how they impact others.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts constructively and fairly. 
• Resilience: Maintaining a positive attitude and bouncing back from setbacks. 
• Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Leaders need to model good work-life balance for their team. 

The physical, mental, and emotional requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The employee primarily works indoors in an office that is typically located within a school building. The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to moderate, depending on the location of the work being performed.

The employee occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions for short periods of time.

The employee regularly performs work/job related travel within Rock and Walworth Counties. Occasional travel within and outside of the state may be required for conference attendance.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully function within the work environment.

Rock-Walworth Comprehensive Family Services, Inc. is an EEO Employer.