The job of Child Care Assistant is done for the purpose/s of organizing, directing, assisting, and observing preschool students in the following areas: writing anecdotal observations; preparing and serving meals; maintaining clean site and classroom; managing student behaviors and small groups; assisting with family communication; and maintaining supervision ratios at all times; all under the direction of the ECE teacher.

This job reports to designated administrator.

Essential Functions
 Assists the classroom teacher with lesson planning and/or age appropriate activities by working with individual or small groups of children (e.g. games, art, music, science, language, nutrition, playground, washing hands, etc.) for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
 
Assists preschool students (e.g. toileting assistance, etc.) for the purpose of addressing personal care needs.
 
Communicates with school staff (e.g. principal, office personnel, site supervisor, maintenance, cafeteria staff, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information required to perform job functions.
 
Distributes instructional and/or play materials for the purpose of providing required supplies.
 
Maintains a clean and sanitary classroom (e.g. disinfecting and washing toys, desks, seats, beds, wash sheets, etc.) for the purpose of providing students a safe environment.
 
Maintains classroom equipment, work area, manual files, and records and works on a variety of logs (e.g. sign in/out sheet, behavior, toilet, incident, meal count, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; providing a safe learning environment; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
 
Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. meal time, group or individual games, playground activities, quiet time, field trips, classroom, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
 
Organizes quiet or active, age appropriate indoor and/or outdoor activities for the purpose of actively participating in the learning activities with children.
 
Promotes good habits for the purpose of improving the quality of students’ outcome and encouraging student development.
 
Receives and releases children directly from/to parents or designee for the purpose of ensuring safety of children and meeting the District requirements.
 
Records meaningful and accurate observations for teachers for the purpose of including in D.R.D. PS.
 
Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction to other sources.
 
Serves nutritional meals for the purpose of complying with established guidelines.

Marginal Functions
 Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from high school or General Education Development (GED).
• Official Child Development Assistant Permit. The Child Development Assistant Permit is issued for five (5) years and is renewable for successive five (5) year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth (Per State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing).
• Six (6) months of job related experience. 
• Any other combination of education, training, and experience, which demonstrates that the applicant is likely to possess the required skills, knowledge, or abilities, may be considered.

• Valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification issued by an authorized agency.
• Valid First Aid certification issued by an authorized agency.
• Such certifications must either be issued by American Red Cross or agency authorized by American Red Cross to issue such certifications. Such certifications are initially required prior to employment and once employed employees are responsible for maintaining up-to-date certificates in first aid and CPR.

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: apply pertinent policies; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications.
 
KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: appropriate codes, policies; age appropriate activities; stages of child development; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and age appropriate activities/behavior.
 
ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals; work with specific, job-related data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; adapting to changing work priorities; collaborating with other; maintaining confidentiality; and working flexible hours.

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization's services.

Work Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 30% walking, and 60% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.