ECEAP Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Job title- Assistant Teacher

Reports to- Center Supervisor

FLSA status- Non exempt

Position Summary

The ECEAP Assistant Teacher supports the Teacher and center team in providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate early learning services for preschool children and families. This position assists with implementation of Creative Curriculum and Second Step, supports weekly lesson planning and classroom preparation, maintains active supervision, and helps ensure a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive, and nurturing learning environment. The Assistant Teacher contributes to child observation, documentation, assessment support, family communication, health and safety routines, and classroom operations in alignment with ECEAP Performance Standards, DCYF licensing requirements, and Child Care Action Council policies. The staff person in this role is expected to model professionalism, maintain confidentiality, communicate respectfully, demonstrate flexibility, and contribute to a positive work environment at all times.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Instructional Support & Curriculum Implementation

• Supports implementation of Creative Curriculum by preparing materials, setting up interest areas, facilitating hands-on learning experiences, and helping children engage in purposeful play and exploration.
• Assists the Teacher with weekly lesson plans by gathering supplies, preparing activities, supporting small- and large-group instruction, and helping maintain predictable daily routines.
• Provides individualized support to children based on developmental needs, interests, culture, language, learning style, and goals identified by the Teacher and center team.
• Collects objective observational notes, work samples, and documentation for Teaching Strategies GOLD and shares information with the Teacher to support assessment, planning, and individualization.
• Reinforces Second Step social-emotional strategies throughout daily routines, transitions, problem-solving moments, and peer interactions.
• Uses developmentally appropriate practices, positive guidance, and trauma-informed approaches to support whole-child development and school readiness.

Child Supervision & Safety

• Maintains active supervision at all times using DCYF-aligned strategies, including appropriate positioning, scanning, counting, listening, anticipating children’s needs, and engaging with children.
• Monitors children during classroom activities, meals, transitions, toileting/handwashing routines, outdoor play, rest time, arrivals, departures, and field trips to ensure safety and well-being.
• Follows all health, sanitation, emergency, medication, injury reporting, incident reporting, mandated reporting, and safe-release procedures as required by program policy and licensing standards.
• Supports safe classroom ratios, communicates promptly with the Teacher or Center Supervisor when concerns arise, and never leaves children unsupervised.
• Helps maintain a physically, socially, and emotionally safe environment that encourages exploration, independence, belonging, and respectful interactions.

Child Interaction & Classroom Climate

• Engages children with warmth, positivity, respect, and responsiveness while using culturally respectful and trauma-informed practices.
• Models appropriate behavior, language, problem-solving, self-regulation, and communication skills to support social-emotional development.
• Uses positive guidance strategies and redirection to support children’s behavior while preserving dignity and strengthening relationships.
• Supports inclusive participation for children with varying developmental, behavioral, language, cultural, and accessibility needs.
• Helps maintain an organized, inviting, print-rich, and culturally responsive classroom environment that supports learning and exploration.

Family Partnership & Communication

• May assist with Brightwheel communication by posting updates, photos, reminders, and daily notes in alignment with program expectations and family privacy requirements.
• Greets families warmly and helps create a welcoming environment that honors family culture, language, strengths, and goals.
• Communicates family questions, concerns, child updates, and relevant information promptly to the Teacher, Family Support Specialist, or Center Supervisor.
• Supports family engagement activities, classroom events, parent-teacher conferences, transitions, and other opportunities for families to participate in the program.
• Maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries when communicating with families, staff, community partners, and visitors.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Works closely with the Teacher, Center Supervisor, Education & Disabilities Specialist, Family Support Specialist, food service staff, substitutes, volunteers, and other program staff to maintain consistent routines and high-quality services.
• Participates in classroom planning, reflective conversations, staff meetings, trainings, case consultations, and continuous improvement activities.
• Supports volunteers, substitutes, practicum students, and classroom visitors by helping them understand routines, safety expectations, and appropriate interactions with children.
• Communicates respectfully and directly with team members, follows through on assigned tasks, asks for clarification when needed, and supports a collaborative team culture.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to adjust duties, schedules, classroom assignments, or routines to meet program and child needs.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attends required trainings, workshops, in-services, staff meetings, and professional development activities to maintain required qualifications and meet ECEAP and DCYF expectations.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation related to child observations, attendance, meal counts, health and safety checks, incident reports, and other required program records as assigned.
• Follows all ECEAP Performance Standards, DCYF licensing rules, agency policies, confidentiality requirements, safety procedures, and supervisor directives.
• Maintains professionalism by arriving on time, being prepared for work, using respectful communication, accepting feedback appropriately, resolving concerns through proper channels, and representing the agency positively.
• Maintains a positive attitude at work by contributing to a respectful, solution-focused, child-centered, and team-oriented environment, even during busy or challenging situations.
• Protects confidential information about children, families, staff, and program operations and discusses sensitive matters only with authorized individuals for legitimate program purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support classroom operations, ECEAP services, child safety, family engagement, and overall program needs.

Qualifications

ECE Short Certificate or equivalent coursework required; willingness to complete required training.

Experience working with preschool‑age children in group settings preferred.

Must meet all DCYF and ECEAP health, safety, and training requirements, including:

Negative TB test

Infant/Child CPR & First Aid

Food Handler’s Permit

DCYF Portable Background Check

Required immunizations

Valid Washington State driver’s license required.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Professional Development

• Health insurance (80% employer paid,) dental and vision are provided starting the 1st day of the month following hire. Employer paid retirement plan, paid sick, personal days, and holidays provided.

Child Care Action Council is a non-profit agency whose mission is to promote and nurture early learning communities where families and children thrive. We have programs to support both childcare providers and families. At a local, regional, and state level, our staff collaborate with a diverse group of individuals and organizations working on behalf of and in partnership with children and their families. Through these relationships, we are better able to address our goals for equity, inclusion and social justice. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse team.