Primary Purpose:        

Caregivers must demonstrate competency, good judgment, and self-control in the presence of children and when performing assigned responsibilities; relate to children with courtesy, respect, acceptance and patience; recognize and respect the uniqueness and potential of all children, their families and their cultures; not abuse, neglect or exploit children and report any suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation to DFPS or to law enforcement.  Caregivers will carry out all of the responsibilities listed below.  Reports to child care center director.

Qualifications:

      Education/Certification:  

• High School Diploma or GED. CDA or course work in child development preferred.
• Each caregiver must obtain a minimum of 24 hours of approved training each licensing year as required by DFPS in addition to annual orientation, CPR and First Aid.   All aides must hold or be able to obtain, within 90 days of employment, the Texas Paraprofessional Certification issued by Texas Education Agency (TEA).  Annual training topics must meet the minimum standards criteria.  Any staff member who does not attain the required training will be dismissed.
• Minimum age of 18 years
• DFPS background check and FBI fingerprinting
• 3 to 6 months experience with a licensed childcare provider preferred 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Accountabilities and Major Work Activities:

• Know and comply with the minimum standards for child-care centers.
• Know which children they are responsible for, each child's name and have information showing each child's age.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Ensure the children are not out of control.
• Interact routinely with children in a positive manner and adhere to the Minimum Standards rules for

        Discipline and Guidance.  (See attached)

• Foster developmentally appropriate independence in children through planned but flexible program

        activities.

• Fosters a cooperative rather than a competitive atmosphere.
• Show appreciation of children's efforts and accomplishments.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by sharing with incoming or substitute caregivers informationabout each child's activities during the previous shift and any verbal or written instructions given by the parent.
• Organize a daily classroom routine providing for instruction and stimulation of all skill areas (e.g.,
• cognitive, social, self-help, moral, motor, pre-academic).
• Communicate regularly with center staff and parents about classroom activities and goals.
• Maintain a record of each child's development including narrative descriptions, samples of work, and notes concerning any communication with parents.
• Supervise employees and volunteers assigned to them for assistance.
• Maintain curriculum idea files, workroom areas and professional library.
• Participate in self-assessment for the creation of a staff training agenda.
• Provide the director with personnel and program evaluations. Collect information concerning program operation and staff performance and communicate this information in both written and verbal form to the director.
• Perform job related tasks as the need arises to maintain a quality program to include but not limited to: Children’s hands washed before eating; clean and disinfect tables, classroom windows and mirrors, toys and furnishings; keeping centers neat and clean; classroom preparations for daily story time, learning centers and circle time; teaching supplies and equipment put away in the workroom; classroom toys and learning center items rotated; spot sweep or vacuum floors and clean off tables
• After eating or other activities as needed and as necessary for the children’s safety; sleep mats cleaned and disinfected weekly.
• Ensure that the children’s meal and snack times are pleasant experiences by sitting with your group of children during the meal time to model positive social behavior and good eating habits.  All meal and snack times must be unhurried and include adult supervision of children. 
  • Demonstrate flexibility to perform other job related tasks as the need arises to maintain a quality program.
• This job description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential function of the job identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherited in the job.

Experience:   

• No experience required

Supervisory Responsibilities:   

• Employees and volunteers assigned to them for assistance.

Equipment Used  

• Vacuum, laminator, copy machine, diaper bar

Working Conditions:  

• Demanding and stressful

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: 

• Lifting children, bend over to put down sleep mats, dealing with children and parents, withstand substantial crying