BENICIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, to assist teacher in planning, supervision, curriculum development and classroom arrangement, organization
and maintenance; to provide instructional support and learning enrichment, using developmentally appropriate practices and materials; to
monitor child safety, perform housekeeping functions, and assist in the physical care and feeding of children; and to perform related work
as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Positions in this class may be assigned to work in preschool and/or child care programs.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The tasks listed in this section are representative of duties assigned to positions in this class. This list is not intended to be an exhaustive
list of all the tasks assigned to positions in the class, and it is not expected that all of the tasks listed are necessarily assigned to all
positions in the class.
Assist and instruct preschool children in a variety of learning centers that include dramatic play, science, mathematics, computers, games
and puzzles, arts and crafts, manipulatives, language arts, cooking and nutrition, and music. Lead and monitor children in outside games,
sports and free play; accompany children on field trips; store supplies and materials after activities.
Greet students and parents upon arrival. Monitor student release to ensure child safety. Assist children in completing homework assigned
by their classroom teacher.
Decorate bulletin boards and classroom areas, display children’s artwork.
Prepare snacks for children, set-up for and assist students in eating. Wash dishes, clean spills and/or wipe down furniture and work areas;
order lunches, set up food for lunch
Assist in getting students ready for rest periods; assist students in using bathroom and in cleaning up after accidents. Assist students in
putting on and taking off jackets, hats, and sweaters; assist students in putting on, removing, and tying shoes.
Resolve conflicts between students; follow established recognition and discipline procedures.
Set up and operate audio visual equipment; turn on computers, load software, format desktop, assign access codes to students, set-up
student folders, and check computer and peripheral equipment for proper functioning; format, label and make back-up computer disks;
attach cables to peripheral equipment and CPU and plug equipment into electrical outlets; print student reports of computer assisted
instruction.
Perform routine clerical work using manual and automated methods, such as keyboarding forms and letters, recording attendance and
absence, preparing lists and labels, preparing requisitions. Laminate materials, Contact parents at the request of teacher. Make
photocopies.
Report suspected cases of child abuse in accordance with state-mandated reporting and district policy.
Administer first aid and dispense medication in accordance with district policy; call parents to report student illness and injury; in instances
of emergency, call emergency medical service personnel; monitor students who have known chronic medical conditions in accordance with
physician instructions.
Participate in District-mandated training and retraining programs; perform related duties as assigned.
LICENSE REQUIRED
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification by a District-approved organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Basic math.
General needs and behavior of students.
Children’s recreational activities involving sports, games, and crafts.
Record keeping procedures and practices.
Basic computer operating techniques.
Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
Ability to:
Assist with learning activities in an academic setting.
Supervise students in a classroom and out-of-door activities.
Perform routine clerical duties.
Speak and write clearly and effectively.
Operate a computer terminal using standard software.
Keyboard at a level required for job success.
Communicate with students and motivate them to participate in activities.
Recognize and remove safety hazards to students.
Learn laws, rules, practices, and procedures related to public education and related to the program to which assigned.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities stated above, and
the ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying entrance background is graduation from high school or GED equivalent
and six months of experience working with preschool children in a learning environment or successful completion of six (6) or more units of
college level education in early childhood education.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an
exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment which may be required of positions in this class. Benicia Unified
School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of
those disabilities to contact the Personnel Department for further information.
Vision: (which may be corrected) to read normal print.
Hearing: (which may be corrected) to hear speech in a classroom setting; to hear sounds which warn of potential danger.
Speech: to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood in a
classroom.
Upper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and
elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
Lower Body Mobility: to bend at waist; stoop; twist and turn torso.
Strength: to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 30 pounds on a frequent basis.
Smell: to distinguish strong odors.
Environmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work around
dirt/dust; work indoors.
Mental Requirements: read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a 12 th grade proficiency level; math skills at an eighth
grade proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards;
give verbal instruction; copying and coordinating information and records.