Child Care Teacher Assistant

Child Care Teacher Assistant

Hutchinson Public Schools is looking for a Child Care Teacher Assistant. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required. Possession of a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a State-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements; OR enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a related field; OR willingness to enroll in a CDA credential program within 90 days of hire, to be completed within two years of the date of hire. One to three months related experience and/or training in early childhood education is preferred. Must demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively as part of an interdisciplinary team. Starting wage is $14.75 and is commensurate with education and experience.

This position is responsible for providing child care to infants and toddlers enrolled at the Lil' Hawks Early Learning Child Care Center by providing the following duties:

• Assist in the daily preparation of equipment, materials and learning environments.
• Assist the teacher with classroom instruction.
• Implement activities as assigned by the teacher, adapting them as needed to meet the diverse needs of the children.
• Stimulate children's interest in learning, participation, discussion, and questioning.
• Provide individualized support to children who may need extra assistance with tasks such as fine motor skills, communication, or following instructions.
• Assist in maintaining a complete record of each child's day to share with parents.
• Assist with on-going assessment of enrolled students.
• Participate in home visits and parent/teacher conferences as assigned.
• Monitor children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
• Actively engage with children—whether through conversation, play, or supporting activities.
• Assist with transitions between activities (e.g., snack time, outdoor play, rest time).
• Maintain positive, respectful interactions with children to promote a healthy learning environment.
• Aide in setting up and maintaining the classroom environment, ensuring materials are prepared and ready for daily activities.
• Provide guidance and support to children in managing their emotions and resolving conflicts.
• Help promote positive behavior through praise and redirection in alignment with Conscious Discipline.
• Help monitor children's health, including assisting with handwashing, feeding, and diapering.
• Perform appropriate child care practices including safety, health, and disease control.
• Assist children in developing social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with peers.
• Assist in de-escalating situations and guiding children through challenging behaviors with patience and empathy.
• Maintain a vigilant and active presence in the classroom, ensuring all children are monitored at all times during activities, transitions, and playtime.
• Report any incidents, accidents, or issues to the lead teacher or Center Director.
• Attend staff meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings and individual supervision meetings regularly.
• Attend regularly scheduled team meetings.
• Attend meetings, workshops, professional development and training opportunities to expand and improve professional skills.

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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required. Possession of a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a State-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements; OR enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a related field; OR willingness to enroll in a CDA credential program within 90 days of hire, to be completed within two years of the date of hire. One to three months related experience and/or training in early childhood education is preferred. Must demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Possess or enroll in Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a program leading to an associates or baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that a Day Care Assistant must be able to satisfactorily perform. The regular duties of the Day Care Assistant will require the individual in this position to walk; use fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear, taste, smell, stand, sit, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.

The Day Care Assistant from time to time will find it necessary to lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. The Day Care Assistant will need good close vision, color vision, depth perception, distance vision, focusing and peripheral vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to work in this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT I have read and understand the essential functions of the position set forth in this Job Description and certify that I am capable of fully performing each of said essential functions without accommodations or with the following accommodations:

I understand that any misrepresentation regarding my abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may result in disciplinary action including termination of employment. I also understand that punctual and regular attendance is a specific condition of continued employment in accordance with District policies.

Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ____________________

Printed Name: _______________________________________ 2