$2,000 Sign-On Bonus--Assistant Teacher, Early Head Start (0-3 Year Olds)

## Description

**Assistant Teachers are eligible for Sunbeam's Teacher Investment Program after successfully completing 90 days of employment.**

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| POSITION OVERVIEW |

| The Assistant Teacher supports the implementation of developmentally appropriate early childhood education services in a Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) classroom by providing daily care, supervision, and guidance to children. In collaboration with the Teacher and classroom team, the Assistant Teacher helps establish and maintain a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment that supports children’s growth, development, and school readiness.The Assistant Teacher builds responsive relationships with children, families, and staff; supports inclusive classroom practices for children of all abilities; and assists with curriculum implementation, child guidance strategies, and daily routines. This role supports compliance with applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and federal, state, and local licensing requirements. All employees and volunteers are expected to reflect Sunbeam Family Services’ core values and perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence while serving children and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in alignment with Sunbeam’s mission. |

| ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS |

| - Promote and contribute to a work environment that encourages respect for and skill-building to engage effectively with individuals of different cultures, beliefs, abilities, and experiences. - Support and individualize the physical, social‑emotional, and cognitive development of each child in the classroom through developmentally appropriate practices. Demonstrate ability to provide providing developmentally appropriate, evidence based, hope centered and trauma informed services and supports. - Perform job responsibilities with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards (HSPPS). - Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), federal and state regulation, and Oklahoma DHS Child Care Licensing requirements. - Work collaboratively with the co-teacher and classroom team to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment and ensure the well‑being and safety of children in care. - Observe children for signs of illness, injury, emotional distress, developmental delays, or other special needs and promptly report concerns to supervisor for required for appropriate follow-up. - Maintain required child-staff ratio at all times in collaboration with co-teachers and supervisor. - Encourage and model language development, problem solving skills, and extended learning opportunities strategies throughout the day. - Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences in accordance with HSPPS to share each child’s progress and support family engagement. - Work cooperatively with classroom staff to encourage meaningful parent participation and involvement in the program. - Participate in ongoing professional development through education, training, role modeling, and mentoring. - Ensure implementation of the HS/EHS written curriculum plan. - Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records and documentation in accordance with program and regulatory requirements. - Collaborate with staff to support the individual needs of children, including children with disabilities or special needs. - Ensure files and records are complete, accurate, and maintained in a confidential manner. - Maintain regular, reliable attendance and participate in required staff meetings, trainings, and certification courses. - Travel locally as required to fulfill job responsibilities. - Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or member of Executive Team. |

## Qualifications

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| JOB QUALIFICATIONS |

| | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | **Minimally Required** | **Preferred** | | **Education / Certification** | Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Early Childhood Special Education (transcripts required) **OR** Oklahoma Certificate of Mastery in Early Childhood **OR** Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate CDA® certification **AND** early childhood development training or coursework CPR/First Aid Certification (or within 30 days of hire), maintained throughout employment | Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education | | **Experience** | | Three (3) years of experience in Early Childhood Education or Head Start/Early Head Start | | **Skills Knowledge** **Abilities** | Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families. Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities. Knowledge and understanding of state and local childcare licensing requirements. Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft applications and the ability to master other software as needed Good organizational and time management skills. Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Exercise independent judgment. Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for our internal, external, and community members. Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials. Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload. Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job. Local travel required and must have valid Oklahoma driver’s license and insurance as required by the position. | Knowledge and understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus Knowledge and understanding of NAEYC Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills Bilingual Spanish/English speaking – ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes. | |

| WORKING CONDITIONS |

| Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. The employee must be able to interact closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods of time (up to 50% of workday). Occasionally must be able to move or lift up to 50 pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare. Work Environment The employee will work in classroom environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic, characteristic to working with children ages 0-5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothing, and poor hygiene. Employee may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion. Other |