Child Development Aide (As-Needed)

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.  Its message is based on the Bible.  Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.  Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Summary of Position

The Child Development Aide is responsible for providing support for the Child Development Center in order to provide a well structured environment that is at all times: 1), 2) in compliance with Minnesota Department of Human Services, Licensing Division Rule 3 for Child Care Centers, 3) warm, friendly and sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, 4) maximizing opportunities for developmental growth, 5) dedicated to providing the best possible care.  

This is an as-needed position, including picking up shifts last minute.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma with some previous experience working with children.
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and demonstrate enthusiasm for the program, relate appropriately to children, parents, and colleagues.
• Ability to work with and communicate with children and families of diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups.
• Ability to make independent and effective decisions.
• Be a team player as well as able to work independently.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.
• Good organization, problem solving, and priority setting skills.
• Ability to make decisions on behalf of children and protect their well-being.
• Must be able to manage confidential information.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40 pound child.
• Must pass The Salvation Army and DHS background checks.
• Must become certified in CPR and First Aid training.
• Willingness to support the philosophy, goals, objectives, and mission of The Salvation Army.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This job description is not all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the essential duties of the position.  Other duties, responsibilities and tasks may be assigned by the Child Development Center Director and Corps Officers.

Classroom Support

• Support age appropriate curriculum to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development.
• Provide a safe, clean, developmentally appropriate classroom environment that fosters the children’s learning and growth.
• Continually evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.
• Provide responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by supporting the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into childcare program and activities.
• Supports child transition and orientation of the classroom with parents by acting as a liaison to ensure smooth transitions from home to childcare, from toddler to preschool, and from preschool to kindergarten settings.
• Support ongoing, open and supportive communication with parents and caregivers.
• Support each family in receiving an opportunity to participate in their child’s development by building strong relationships with their children, other families and the teaching staff.
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of the children.

Program Compliance

• Meet weekly with Center Director and team for planning, supervision and goal setting.
• Support maintenance of accurate, complete and timely client and agency records. This includes meals and food service, attendance, behavior logs, emergency forms, curriculum plans, individual child development profiles and other records as needed.
• Support Child Development Center Director by enforcing policies regarding payment, late fees, safety, and behavior expectations.
• Completes yearly performance evaluations.
• Exchange information and serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary intervention/prevention team. This includes completing reports regarding any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or child abuse hotline.
• Reports all staffing and classroom concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Reports family changes in schedules and excessive absences to administration in a timely manner.
• Participate in on-going in-service and educational development opportunities provided.
• Participate in ongoing development and evaluation of center’s goals and objectives.
• Act as a team player by assisting with tasks, communications and planning as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

While there are normally no hazardous or significantly unpleasant physical working conditions, human behavior is unpredictable.  All CDC staff members must be capable of intervening in an appropriate manner to resolve conflicts and sudden emergency events.  The duties and responsibilities of this position cannot be performed from home.

Physical Activities and Requirements of Position

Verbal Communication

• Ability to verbally communicate in person where one must frequently convey detailed or important instructions, information, and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Written communication with staff; especially information and directives from Child Development Center Director and Corps Officers.

Auditory Processing

• Able to hear average or normal conversations with ability to process heard information.

Visual Processing

• Average ability to view computers screens and printed documents in order to prepare and inspect documents.

Physical Ability   

• Movements frequently and regularly required using the majority of the body to sit, stand and bend.
• Able to stand, walk, bend, climb, lift, jump, run and remain active for majority of the work day.
• Able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally.

Mental Activities and Requirements of Position

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to deal with a variety of variables under only limited standardization.
• Able to interpret various instructions.

Mathematics Ability

• Ability to perform basic math skills, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.

Language Ability

• Able to read, write and speak fluent English.
• Able to read a variety of informational material.
• Able to prepare memos or program materials using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Able to communicate distinctly with appropriate pauses and emphasis; correct punctuation and variation in word order; using present, perfect, and future tenses.