Child Care Aide: Ray’s Place

Hamblen County, Job Openings

Date:         8/6/2025

Program:    Douglas Cherokee Head Start/Early Head Start
Job Title:   Child Care Aide: Toddler classroom
Location:  Hamblen County-Initial worksite Ray’s Place Early Learning Center

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 34.5 hours per week; Full Year

Salary Grade: $12.71 per hour

Reports to:  Area Coordinator, Curriculum & Assessment Manager, Head Start Director

 POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the area coordinator, the Child Care Aide will assist in carrying out developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children. In addition, the Child Care Aide will provide supervision of children at all times.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Assist teacher in the implementation of a comprehensive child development program or curriculum in all program options and settings.
  2. Engage in ongoing assessment.
  3. Put into practice theories and sound principles of child and adult education.
  4. Promote social and emotional development of children; maintain classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.
  5. Supervise and interact with children in all daily activities at all times.
  6. Assist teacher in recording and maintaining documentations and submit reports as required; attend meetings and required training.
  7. Direct parents’ concerns or questions to the supervising teacher.
  8. Demonstrate work habits which comply with Agency Personnel Policies and Procedures and complete special assignments from supervisors, managers, or Head Start Director.
  9. Assist teacher in promoting a teamwork atmosphere by delegating tasks and providing training for center staff/substitutes/volunteers as needed.
  10. Responsible for cleaning and maintaining indoor and outdoor premises on a daily basis (i.e. sweep, mop, clean bathroom, empty waste containers, and dispose of trash for pick-up). Pick up debris and other trash outdoors and keep area sanitary, neat, and attractive at all times.
  11. Will assume other duties as assigned by the Area Coordinator, Managers, and the Head Start Director.
  12. Assist in organizing the classroom and maintaining a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
  13. Observe, assess, refer, and evaluate each child’s progress in the assigned classroom, and assist in planning and implementing classroom activities based on individual needs of the children to advance physical and intellectual competence.
  14. At supervisor’s request, make home visits with other staff members and maintain positive communication with parents and community participants regarding Program activities and objectives.
  15. To greet and assist parents as they sign-in/out of the center.
  16. To be alert and meet the special needs of children at all times.
  17. Welcome families to participate in their child’s learning activities in the classroom, at home, and in the community. Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom to support their child and the program.
  18. Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.

ADDITIONAL EARLY HEAD START DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Maintain an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each expectant family and each child’s family, encourage their involvement in the program, and promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
  2. Promote feelings of security and trust in infants and toddlers by being warm, supportive, and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships with them.
  3. Provide infants and toddlers with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging to the group.
  4. Advance the physical and intellectual growth of infants and toddlers.
  5. Ensure that a teacher to child ratio of 1:4 is maintained at all times.

 WORK SITE:  (Initial) Ray’s Place Early Learning Center

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Agency.
  • Maintain confidentiality of family, child, and Agency information.
  • Must maintain documentation per licensing requirements.
  • Must perform specific related activities necessary to meet Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement component operation standards.
  • Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
  • This job can change at any time for any reason.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience Requirements:

  • High School Diploma or GED

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Must obtain a pre-employment physical and screen for communicable diseases.
  • Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
  • Must agree to pre-employment background check.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

  • Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist them as needed.
  • Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).
  • Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.
  • Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom.  Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.
  • Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.
  • Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.

 Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until position is filled.

To Apply: Send application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814. Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.org.