The Program Aide provides flexible support in Head Start and Early Head Start centers, assisting with classroom activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children and stepping in to support nutrition services as needed. Under the direction of the teaching team, the Program Aide helps maintain a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. When not needed in the classroom, this position assists the kitchen by prepping meals, portioning food, or helping with basic kitchen tasks in alignment with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and health and safety standards. The Program Aide plays a key role in promoting smooth daily operations and ensuring children receive consistent care and support throughout the day. The Program Aide will work with the various teams to ensure that the team works in accordance with Head Start performance standards, USDA requirements, state licensing requirements and agency policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
Report to the Center Manager or Assistant Center Manager each day for assignments and provide flexible classroom coverage based on center needs.
Support teachers in creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children.
Assist with planning and preparing classroom activities, materials, and learning experiences.
Conduct child observations and assist with developmental assessments, health screenings, and documentation.
Maintain accurate written and electronic records, including parent communication and education documentation.
Participate in parent conferences, home visits, and family engagement activities as assigned.
Build positive relationships with children, families, volunteers, and staff while promoting an inclusive, culturally responsive classroom.
Follow Head Start Performance Standards, USDA/CACFP requirements, licensing regulations, and program policies.
Promote children's health, safety, and well-being by practicing Active Supervision, positive child guidance, and mandated child abuse and neglect reporting procedures.
Support the kitchen by preparing, portioning, and serving nutritious meals and snacks while following food safety and sanitation standards.
Help maintain clean, organized, and sanitary classrooms, kitchens, and shared learning spaces.
Provide first aid, CPR, and respond appropriately to emergencies while ensuring children are supervised at all times.
Assist with classroom transitions, staff breaks, planning time, and other operational needs to ensure smooth daily center operations.
Accurately document and generate in-kind contributions to support program requirements.
Participate in coaching, professional development, and ongoing training to strengthen skills and support high-quality early childhood education.
Attend staff meetings, family engagement events, parent meetings, and other center activities.
Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and a commitment to EPIC's Core Values and Speak Up, Speak Out culture by reporting concerns through appropriate channels.
Working Conditions/Physical/ Mental Abilities and Processes:
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Work requires daily standing, sitting, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, speaking, hearing, seeing and the ability to articulate clearly; use of hands to finger, bending and reaching.
Ability to feel or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms.
Ability to work with personal computer for long periods of time.
Some travel to and from main office and training sites
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans
- Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)
- Paid Holidays (9)
- Seedling Scholarship Available
- Employee Assistance Program
- Basic Life Insurance
- 403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)
- As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.
Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, Tb skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.
Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee).
Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in Merit.
Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
Current Food Handlers card
Current First Aid/CPR card
Prior to first day complete Health & Safety training certificates through DCYF student training portal.
Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire
Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.
Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.
CEO Approval.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. High School Diploma or GED required
2. ECE State Initial Certificate or equivalent &/or willingness to work towards AA in ECE.
3. Childcare Basic 30 hours STARS training or educational exemption in MERIT.
4. One year of classroom work experience in a preschool setting.
5. Demonstrated ability to work closely with other team members, ability to grasp a team-centered approach to delivery of services for children and families.
Preferred Qualifications:
- AA in Early Childhood Education
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
