The Program Aide is responsible for assisting to provide educational, relational and social experiences for preschool children to foster growth and development in all developmental domains. This position also works as part of the team to assist in activities in the areas of the classroom, kitchen, to serve as a disabilities aide as needed. The Program Aide works with the HS and EHS teams to developing children and/or children with special needs/disabilities. The position reports to the Center Director and may be reassigned to various classrooms as deemed necessary for program operations.
As a front line representative of Save the Children Head Start the position holder is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she come in contact with and represent the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.
Classroom aide:
- Assist classroom staff in all classroom activities and outdoor activities included in lesson plans
- Assist in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served
- Help supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and social skills
- Help keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly
- Assist the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises
- Serve as a temporary substitute in the periodic absence of the assistant teacher or teacher.
Custodian:
- Empties trash or garbage containers if needed
- Sanitizes surfaces, picks up and puts away materials in the classroom or kitchen in order to maintain a safe and organized environment
- Serves as custodian on a regular basis
- Other custodial duties as assigned
Kitchen Aide:
- Completes routine kitchen/dining room/food chores as assigned (eg. dishwashing, portioning foods, taking and logging temperature of foods received from vendors, etc.)
- Prepares necessary food and serving items for service prior to or after use. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities
- Participates in food service clean up, inventory and other food service tasks as requested.
- Substitutes for regular Cook or Assistant Cook as needed.
- Assists with inventory maintenance of all necessary supplies, food and equipment used for food services operations.
- Assists with the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered.
- Assists in carrying out a financially successful food service operation by helping to control food and labor costs.
- Assists with logging meals/snacks in the menu book following USD/CACFP required documentation for food purchased, prepared and served
- Supports staff/parents in preparing and cleaning up after meals/snacks for meetings, planning sessions and other special events as requested.
- Ensures that dishes are returned to the kitchen or food service vendor transport boxes for cleaning and preparation of next meal
- Notifies supervisor of any safety, health issues or concerns
- Participates in ongoing training in food preparation and nutrition as requested
- Follows the established system for cleaning to ensure that the kitchen and storage rooms are kept in clean and sanctify manner
- Reports any kitchen equipment malfunction to supervisor to ensure kitchen remains safe and hazard free Prepares food in a safe and sanitary manner.
Responsible for complying with all local, state and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation
- At the minimum be 18 years of age.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations).
- Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, criminal background checks (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.
- Knowledge of the basics of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
- Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving and sanitation practices.
- Ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
- Ability to work with children with disabilities.
- Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.