Child First - Classroom Substitute Staff - North Sarasota County at Child First

 The Classroom Substitute is accountable for assisting the Child Development and Education staff in creating and implementing a safe, healthy, supervised, and developmentally appropriate program in accordance with all relevant standards, accreditation, licensing, policies and procedures to promote the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of all children in the program. Classroom Substitutes, depending on qualifications and staffing needs may work in Early Head Start, Head Start, and Extended Care classrooms. 

 Licenses / Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record – proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation
• Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division
• Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years
• Certification in First Aid and Adult, Infant and Child CPR

Education / Equivalent Experience

• Minimum Required: The same educational qualifications needed for the position substituting
• State mandated 45-hour coursework completion or ability to complete within established timeframes
• One (1) year experience working in an early childhood setting with a diverse population of children ages Birth to Five

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions
• Plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation
• Set and maintain professional boundaries with families
• Use technology to plan, record, report and monitor education and child development services

Skill/Ability to:

• Speak, read and write English; bilingual language(s) is helpful
• Collect, analyze and utilize data to plan and monitor growth in child outcomes and school readiness, required when long-term substitute
• Solve problems and make appropriate decisions
• Manage time, solve problems and make appropriate decisions in varying situations
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with fellow staff, parents, and community representatives

Physical/Mental Demands

• Lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs.
• Kneels, stoops, bends, reaches and sits on floor to attend to children’s needs
• Sitting, for working at keyboard and desk, standing, driving for home and site visits
• Moves quickly in response to active children in need of redirection to protect their and others safety
• Uses manual dexterity, reaches with hands and arms, stretches, and talks or hears
• Responds both physically and mentally to emergency or crisis situations

Environmental Conditions

• Variability in temperature, environment and noise
• Potential sensory response associated with toileting and/or children who are ill
• Contact with children who are ill and/or possibly contagious
• Contact with chemicals to clean and sanitize equipment and facility

Service Delivery – Support the delivery of high-quality program services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate. Support school readiness in a coordinated approach to comprehensive services, aligned with State and local licensing regulations, and Children First, Inc. policies and procedures.