NHS Human Services, Inc.

REGION XIV ESC HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Head Start/Early Head Start Program Aide

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least 18 years of age. High School Diploma/GED;
• Valid Texas Drivers License; must be willing to obtain or current First
• Aid and CPR certification for infant and toddlers.

REPORTS TO: ISD Building Principal/Director

JOB GOAL:

• To comply with all federal guidelines (Head Start Performance Standards, Policies and Procedures), all Texas State Child Care Licensing Procedures, and all local Head Start policies in providing children and families with all Early Head Start services for providing quality services to children and families.
• To help children progress toward the overall goal of social competence through providing children with a learning environment and varied experiences that help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their individual age and development.
• (Primary responsibility is to assist with transition and assist Early Head Start and Head Start Teachers when needed in classroom or lunchroom to maintain appropriate child staff ratio.)

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

I. PLANNING

• Follows daily schedule and written plans.
• Sets up learning centers.
• Prepares needed materials in advance.
• Knows and complies with minimum Child-Care Licensing Standards (EHS only) and participates with Teaching Team in performing daily checks to ensure compliance with those standards.
• Maintains awareness and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintains job related confidentiality.

II. CLASSROOM

• Maintains an orderly and safe classroom environment.
• Knows which children for which he/she has responsibility
• Knows each childs name and has information showing each childs age
• Supervises children at all times, adjusting appropriately for different ages and abilities of children
• Ensures the children are following procedures to maintain a safe environment.
• Interacts routinely with children in a positive mannerPromotes feelings of security and trust in infants and toddlers by being warm,supportive, and comforting and by establishing strong and caring relationships
• Fosters developmentally appropriate independence in children through planned, but flexible program activities.
• Fosters a cooperative rather than a competitive atmosphere.
• Shows appreciation of childrens efforts and accomplishments
• Ensures continuity of care for children by sharing with incoming caregiver's information about each childs activities during the previous shift and any verbal orwritten instructions given by the parent.
• Maintains current training in infant and child development including safety issuessuch as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. (EHS only)
• Demonstrates competency, good judgment, and self-control in the presence of children and when performing assigned responsibilities.
• Relates to children with courtesy, respect, acceptance, and patience.
• Provides toddlers with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop.
• Demonstrates sensitivity, cultural respect, and positive manner in relating with children and assisting Early Head Start parents and staff.
• Reports suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation to Child Protective Services or to law enforcement.
• Completes all required training as specified in the minimum Child-Care Licensing
• Standards (EHS only), and maintains record for CDA renewal.
• Promotes Positive Behavior Practices directed to teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control:
• Reinforces positive behavior with verbal and /or nonverbal encouragement
• Reminds child of behavior expectations daily by using clear, positive statements at eye level with the child
• Redirects children to prevent behavior problems
• Uses l nguage with children to prevent behavior problems
• Deals with individual problems consistently and on an individual basis, consistent with the childs level of understanding.
• Refrains from raising voice or using voice in a threatening manner
• Use brief, supervised separation from the group, when appropriate for the childs age and development, which is limited to no more than one minute per year of the childs age.
• Treats children with respect at all times
• Takes time to help children reflect on their actions and behaviors
• Implements ESC Head Start discipline policies.

III. PARENT INVOLVEMENT

• Maintains an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with the childs family, encourages involvement in the program and promotes parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
• Treats parents with respect and refrains from community gossip.

IV. COLLABORATION

• Cooperates with ESC staff concerning reports, policies, guidelines, etc., for the Head Start program and follows safety and environmental checklists.
• Apprises ESC Head Start staff of classroom needs and individual needs ofHead Start children
• Sees that adequate health/hygiene items such as soap, towels, lotion, gloves, toothbrushes, etc. are available
• Maintains equipment in good order and marks all Head Start equipment and supplies as being Head Start.
• Assist with completion of yearly inventory of equipment.
• Attends all Head Start staff development and in-service meetings as requested.
• Maintains confidentiality of all Early Head Start children and family information, including Child Files.
• Assumes other duties as assigned by principal or Head Start.
• Comply with all ISD policies and procedures required as an employee of the district.

V. CODE OF CONDUCT As stated below and in 1304.52(5)(i) in the Head Start Performance Standards:

• Respects and promotes the unique identity of each child and family and refrains from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.
• Follows program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
• Leaves no child alone or unsupervised while under the care of Head Start staff.
• Uses positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.
• Will not employ methods of discipline that involves isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

VI. Required Training for Continued Employment

• Head Start Orientation-Overview of general operation, performance standards of Head Start.
• Head Start sponsored trainings.
• Head Start content area trainings.

Acknowledgment:

• The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
• Employment in this position is contingent upon performance, need, and funding.
• This position is totally funded out of Federal Funds.