Child Development Center Assistant

Provides assistance with the day-to-day learning activities, supervision, and care of children of various ages in a college child development center.

Assists with organizing materials and conducting learning activities such as reading stories, painting, drawing, handicrafts, music, or games with children of varying ages.

Accompanies children to and from classroom, playground, and out-of-center activities; conducts attendance checks and head counts.

Watches children’s activities and behaviors in a variety of settings, e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, nap times, meal times; maintains appropriate behavior and comforts children as needed; prepares notes and reports concerning behaviors or events in accordance with policy and procedures.

Observes children’s health and reports any signs of illness, injury, or other distress as directed.

Organizes, sanitizes, and stores indoor and outdoor toys, books, and other equipment and materials.

Assists in preparing, setting-up, serving and feeding meals and snacks to children.

Performs housekeeping duties such as laundry, cleaning/sanitizing, post-meal/snack clean-up, dishwashing, and changing of linens.

Keeps outside areas clear of safety hazards; sweeps and cleans-up outdoor walkways, play areas, and other paved areas during school hours.

Maintains the physical cleanliness of children including washing faces and hands, changing clothes and diapers, assisting with toileting, and related duties.

Prepares children for dismissal; oversees the release of children to parents or other authorized individuals.

Assists in maintaining accurate records such as attendance, lesson plans, and student observations. May care for infants including changing, feeding, and comforting.

May help school-aged children with homework and school work.

Performs related duties as assigned.

A Child Development Center Assistant, under the close and direct supervision of a Child Development Center Teacher or Director, performs the more basic tasks associated with providing learning and play activities and monitoring the activities and behaviors of children for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning and play environments. Requires a Child Development Assistant Permit issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

A Child Development Center Assistant (Infant Care) performs essentially the same duties as a Child Development Center Assistant with an emphasis on the care of infants 24 months of age or younger.

A Child Development Center Teacher plans and implements educational and developmental activities through effective performance in the areas of teaching, student assessment, protecting and caring for children, parent communication, and center operation.

Immediate supervision is received from a Child Development Center Director.  Functional supervision may be received from higher-level Child Development Center staff.  No supervision is exercised. 

Knowledge of:

Practices and methods of care and supervision for children of various ages

Play and creative experiences, materials, and media for children of various ages in areas such as visual arts, music, dramatic play, rhythm and movement, and literacy

Practices for fostering positive staff-child-parent interactions

Standards, policies, and procedures related to child health, hygiene, and safety

Common childhood injuries, diseases, special health considerations, and universal health precautions

Pediatric first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and AED (automated external defibrillator)

Proper methods of preparing, heating, and serving simple food items

Methods and techniques of cleaning and sanitation

Ability to:

Adhere to all operational policies and procedures of a child development center

Care for and supervise children of various ages

Assist in the delivery of learning experiences and activities to children

Make routine observations of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive childhood behavior

Maintain facilities, equipment, and materials in a safe, clean, and orderly condition

Follow complex instructions and procedures

Give clear and concise instructions

Keep detailed and accurate records

Work effectively and cooperatively with children, parents, and staff

Learn to identify and report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect

Learn and utilize computer software and hardware and audio visual equipment commonly used in a Child Development Center

Education:

Graduation from high school or its equivalent.

Experience:

Six months of paid experience working directly with children in a licensed preschool or child care setting. Completion of a 4 semester unit college-level practicum in child development may be substituted for the required experience.

Special:

A valid Child Development Assistant Permit issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing must be maintained throughout employment.

School-Age Emphasis Authorization may be required for some positions.

A Food Handler Certificate may be required for some positions.

A valid certificate in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross must be obtained within the first month of employment and maintained throughout employment.

Ability to pass fingerprint clearance through both the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), criminal record review, Child Abuse Central Index review, and/or any other requirement established by a licensing/regulatory entity or the District.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Special Notes:

The Child Development Assistant Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five year periods as determined by State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

It is the responsibility of the employee to renew their permit(s) in a timely manner. Employees who fail to maintain the required permit or who become ineligible for a required permit are subject to suspension, demotion, or release from employment.

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.