Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Meriden YMCA Head Start - Meriden, CT, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: $13.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day,       A.  GENERAL SUMMARY OF WHAT THE POSITION DOES                         This position works as a part of a teaching team to work as a partner with the                         teacher/lead teacher in developing activities for preschool (Head Start) children to                         provide them with varied experiences and an appropriate learning environment.                         Works with typically developing children and children with disabilities. Assistance is                         given to the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed to                         implement educational objectives and performance standards. This position works                         with families to promote parent involvement in the program. This position may be                         assigned additional duties based upon program need and areas of developing                         expertise. This position works along with the teacher/head teacher to attain the goals                         of the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as                         deemed necessary for program operations.                              B.        DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION                         Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below.  Additional                         duties may be assigned.    EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES   Preschool Classroom Activities Assists the teacher in all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activities including lesson plans. Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served. Participates in the screening, observation and documentation of children. Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social skills. Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly. Is familiar with each child and parent. Uses initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive and knowledgeable about the needs of each child. Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises. Takes charge of the class in the teacher's absence. Makes home visits with the teacher as required or requested and documents them as requested.                   Parent/Family Involvement And Community Relations Assists the teacher in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom. Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children. Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development and their roles in the child’s overall education and development. Participates in the training of families as requested. Involves parents/families in the educational activities of the program: to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and to assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills and experience in basic child development. Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers and substitutes. Assists the teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members participating in the program. Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.   EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB ACTIVITIES Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement. Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor. Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities. Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations. Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.   Positively promotes Head Start in the community. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. Becomes thoroughly familiar with Meriden YMCA Employee Handbook, Meriden YMCA Operations Manual and all other Meriden YMCA handbooks, manuals and resources and adheres to them.                           PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED                           C.  SUPERVISION EXERCISED                         Immediate supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs and evaluates.                            Positions Supervised:             Head Teacher                           D.        PERSONAL CONTACTS                         Major internal and external contacts.                           Internal                                                                       External                         See Organizational Chart                               Head Start Parents - as needed                                                                                                 Community Partners - as needed                                           E.         DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTS                         This section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments;                         the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence of                         error and the limitation of the finality of decision-making.                           Decisions and commitments involving the education program are very important and                         affect the children and continued funding of the programs.  Following the guidelines and                         the regulations of the program are of the utmost importance to ensuring quality services                         for the children and families.                           Supervisor decisions regarding staff are important to ensure compliance with the                         agency Personnel Policies and Procedures, to ensure good management, and                         protect the employee rights.                            F.         SUPERVISION RECEIVED                         The job description and the content area work plan serve as a guideline.  Assistance                         is received from other agency staff as needed.  Outside assistance can be received                         from other related resources.  Head Start Head Start effectively uses the teamwork                         approach.  All content areas are interwoven so as to better assist and support                         families.  The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position.                           This position receives content area supervision and technical assistance from                         program supervisor, specialist, coordinator and/or managers.                           Qualifications:       G.  KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES                         Knowledge:  Knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children.  Knowledge                         of the purpose of the Head Start program.  Knowledge of local resources, customs and                         languages helpful.                              Abilities:  Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents and                         families.  Ability to follow directions and take initiative.  Ability to keep all information                         regarding families strictly confidential.  Ability to communicate effectively with children,                         families and staff.  Ability to work with typically developing children and children with                         disabilities.                            LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to communicate both written and orally.  Ability to follow directions from both written and oral instructions. Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to communicate with families and children in a positive and helpful manner. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from community. Some Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).                           MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.                           REASONING SKILLS Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to maintain confidentiality.                                                                 OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources and the public. Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.                           H.        EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE                         Minimum requirement is high school diploma or GED plus some experience working                         with preschool children.  A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is                         preferred.                            By September 30, 2013 the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007                         mandates that anyone holding the position of Assistant Teacher have, as a minimum                         requirement, one of the following: A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; Be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of being hired into the position; An associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area); or Be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.                           If applicable federal, state or local Head Start or child care regulations, now or as                         amended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this position                         which are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements and