GENERAL PURPOSE
 
Under general supervision, provides instruction to individual or small groups of students in assigned early childhood education programs; observes, monitors, and records student performance and behavior; interacts with children and encourages positive learning; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Instructional Assistants – Early Childhood Education are responsible for providing instruction to individual or small groups of children in assigned early childhood education programs to encourage and facilitate positive social and cognitive learning.
  

• Instructional Assistants – Early Childhood Education are distinguished from Instructional Assistants in that incumbents in the former class specialize in working with children in early childhood education programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 
 The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
 

1. Works and interacts with individual or small groups of children in assigned early childhood education programs; encourages positive learning, eating, and communication skills by modeling initiative play; assists children in recalling memories and planning their daily activities; facilitates social learning through the use of play and singing.
2. Observes children; records and writes observations of any cognitive or physical achievements; confers with teaching staff regarding programs and materials to meet student needs.
3. Assists teaching staff in planning daily classroom activities; plans, gathers, prepares, and sets up basic instructional materials; sets up work areas, displays, exhibits, and bulletin boards; operates audiovisual equipment; distributes and collects materials and supplies.
4. Assists in supervising and monitoring children's activities; signs children in and out; takes attendance; accompanies classes on field trips; supervises playground activities; may assist children entering and leaving school buses.
5. Assists with lunch and snack preparations; orders and picks up meals from the cafeteria; sets out meals and utensils; sits with an assigned group of children at meals to introduce and encourage family-style eating and model healthy eating habits.
6. Performs administrative duties in support of classroom activities; duplicates materials; organizes the bulletin board; sets up and puts away equipment and toys.
7. Assists in maintaining a clean and safe learning environment; assists in cleaning the classroom; supervises children to prevent injuries; may provide basic first aid as needed; assists children in washing their hands and brushing their teeth to encourage hygienic behavior. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1. Practices and methods of instruction, care, and supervision of young children.
2. Basic concepts of child development, child behavior patterns, or preschool-aged children.
3. Principles and practices of classroom and playground safety.
4. Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
5. Administrative practices and procedures, including record­ keeping and filing practices and procedures.
   
   

Ability to:

1. Instruct and encourage learning in preschool-aged children.
2. Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound judgment within areas of responsibility.
3. Organize and maintain confidential student records and files.
4. Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
5. Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
6. Use tact, discretion, courtesy and patience in dealing with sensitive or difficult students and situations.
7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, teachers, parents, students and others encountered in the course of work.
   
   

Education, Training, and Experience:

• High School Diploma, G.E.D. equivalent, or higher education; and,
• Completion of twelve post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, from an accredited college or university, which includes courses in core areas such as: child/human growth and development; child and family relations, or child, family and community, program/curriculum. Courses must be passed with a letter grade of "C" or better and a minimum of three (3) semester or four (4) quarter units in each of these core areas is required; and,
• One of the following:
  • Enrollment in a program leading to a degree, with good standing.
  • An associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area) 
  • A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential 
  • California Associate Teacher Permit.

 
Work experience with preschool aged children in an organized classroom setting is desirable for this classification.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

• Lift, carry, push, pull, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, walk, run, and crawl.
• Seeing to read and review assignments and to observe/correct student behavior during classroom activities.
• Hearing and speaking to provide assistance and information related to classroom assignments.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a variety of classroom equipment.
• Safely lift/handle materials to the extent of 25 pounds.
• Perform light physical exertion.
• Reach in all directions.
• Stand, sit and walk for extended periods of time.
• Work at a desk, playground, classroom setting, conference table, or in meetings of various configurations.
• Read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the selection authority to accommodate the limitation.