Infant / Toddler CDA Specialist

CDA Specialists work under the direction of an assigned Lead Teacher. The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years). Summary: The position is responsible for assisting 1-2 classrooms in planning and implementing classroom routines, curriculum, meals, and related activities for pre-school and/or infant toddler children (ages 6 months-5 years). This position serves as the assistant in a classroom of 14 to 20 Head Start /Preschool children and/or 7-8 Infant/Toddler children. This position is chiefly responsible to aid in the core functions of the Head Start program and performs other tasks as needed. * Unit: Early Learning * Immediate Supervisor: Education Services Professional * Classification: Standard / Full Time (1.0 FTE) or Part-Time (Hourly) * Status: Non-Exempt * Directly Supervises: None Essential Job Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required. * Works under the supervision of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher to enforce learning for individual students or small groups of students. * Administers, and records achievement and diagnostic tests under the direction of the teacher or assistant teachers for individual students or groups of students. * Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on an understanding of individual students, their needs, interests and abilities. * Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the handling, operation and care of equipment, including media, and instructional materials. * Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in the supervision of students during emergency drills, assembles, play periods, field trips and in other non-classroom activities. * Assists the teacher or assistant teacher with non-instructional duties such as snack, lunch, toilet and clothing routines. * Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher. * Assists the teacher or assistant teacher in drill work, large group reading or storytelling. * Alerts the regular teacher or assistant teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student. * Performs clerical duties as assigned by the teacher or assistant teacher, as needed. * Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of a licensed teacher or assistant teacher. * Participates in professional development training programs, as assigned. * Performs related duties as appropriate for the position. Knowledge and Abilities to be achieved within 6-months of employment: Knowledge * Knowledge of the principles and practices of Early Childhood. * Knowledge of child development and learning styles. * Knowledge of computer data entry processes. Knowledge of family-centered practices. * Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages, preferred. Abilities * Ability to know and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and requirements and policies of CIFC Early Learning Programs. * Ability to exercise judgment in evaluating and making decisions. * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, clients, outside agencies, and the public. * Ability to keep program information confidential. * Ability to carry-out daily functions. * Ability to use program software, use computer for data entry. * Reliable transportation to get self to and from home, office, Head Start sites, and other program locations. * Preferred to posses a valid Driver's license and have minimum automobile insurance coverage legally required by the state of Connecticut. Language skills * Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing. * Ability to speak, read and write English at a level well enough to understand and be understood by others. * Ability to hear an understand all emergency announcements in English. * Ability to write observations and business correspondence. * Ability to read, retain and understand Health & Safety procedures for sanitization, disinfection, and meal-time distribution. * Ability to speak within groups of individuals, such as Parent Conferences and staff meetings. * Bilingual skills helpful (English/Spanish or English/Portuguese) Mathematical Skills * Ability to calculate amounts by adding, subtracting and dividing. * Ability to accurate count the number of children in a classroom. * Ability to understand 1:4, 2:8, 1:10, 2:20 child to staff member ratios. * Minimum High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required. * Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or a commitment to obtain a CDA within 1 year of employment is required (paid by the employer) is required. * Early Childhood Education Credits are preferred; and/or Associate and/or Bachelor degrees are preferred. * Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply. * Entry level position; previous babysitting or childcare experience is preferred. * Basic computer experience is required (i.e. email, word processing, internet navigation). * Applicants with multiple language capabilities (English, Spanish, and/or Portuguese) are preferred. Health Requirements: * Recent documentation free of communicable diseases; and * Recent fit for duty examination. * Ability to lift 40 lbs. Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including health care coverage and retirement program. Compensation details: 16.94-17.94 Hourly Wage PId95c000b5-