Assistant Teacher Head Start (3 year-olds)

Job DetailsJob Location: Sunbeam Family Services - Oklahoma City, OK 73106Position Type: Full-Time or Part-TimeEducation Level: Undergraduate DegreeJob Category: Early EducationAssistant Teachers are eligible for Sunbeam's Teacher Investment Program after successfully completing 90 days of employment. 

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

JOB QUALIFICATIONS            

The requirements listed in this job description are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

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

Center-Based Preschool 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

Enjoy working with young children in a classroom environment

Caring and compassionate approach with children and families

Willingness to work with children and families from low‑income communities using culturally responsive and trauma‑informed practices Knowledge and understanding of state and local childcare licensing requirements.

Strong verbal and written communication skills, including command of English language and grammar

Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries

Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and program-related software

Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, 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 requirements and programming

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                                                            

The working conditions described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the           essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others and exchange accurate information. The employee must be able to interact closely and safely with small children in various positions and environments, including communicating verbally with children and performing tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from the floor or other surfaces, and assisting with classroom activities. The employee must be able to move throughout classroom and office spaces, operate a computer and other office equipment, and occasionally lift or move materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to observe, inspect, discern, and respond to conditions relevant to child safety and care.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an indoor classroom environment with periodic daily exposure to outdoor elements. Employee works in close quarters with other staff and small children.  The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud;, characteristic to working with children ages 0-4 years. Employee should expect exposure to strong odors and bodily fluids such as soiled diapers and clothing, and may occasionally come into contact with childhood diseases and blood or other bodily fluids. 

Other

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It does not imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. Employee may be required to perform other duties as requested...

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fairness and equity in employment practices for all persons without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.