Assistant Teacher /Floater

Job Description

Job Description

Little Honors

Assistant Teacher / Floater

Position: Assistant Teacher / Floater
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time
Reports To: Director, Site Administrator, and/or Lead Teacher

Position Summary

Little Honors is seeking a dependable, caring, and professional  Assistant Teacher / Floater to support our preschool and childcare classrooms. This position assists Lead Teachers with classroom supervision, daily routines, learning activities, meals, toileting/diapering, transitions, and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment.

As a Floater, the employee must be flexible and willing to work in different classrooms based on enrollment, staff absences, breaks, ratios, and the daily operational needs of the center.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Associate Degree required , preferably in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
• Previous experience working with young children in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or educational setting preferred.
• Must meet all New Jersey childcare licensing requirements applicable to the position.
• Must complete required background checks, health documentation, and mandatory training.
• Must be willing to complete required professional development and training through NJCCIS or other designated programs.
• Must demonstrate reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and the ability to work cooperatively as part of a teaching team.
• Must be able to communicate professionally with children, families, coworkers, and administrators.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Teacher / Floater is expected to:

• Assist Lead Teachers in providing a safe, nurturing, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Actively supervise children at all times, including during classroom activities, meals, bathroom/diapering routines, transitions, outdoor play, arrival, and dismissal.
• Maintain accurate child counts and follow all center procedures for tracking children when moving from one area to another.
• Assist with developmentally appropriate learning activities, small-group activities, centers, art, music, literacy, outdoor play, and other classroom experiences.
• Support the Lead Teacher in implementing the classroom's daily schedule, lesson plans, and curriculum.
• Engage with children throughout the day rather than using personal phones or remaining disengaged from classroom activities.
• Assist children with toileting, diapering, handwashing, dressing, feeding, and other personal-care needs in accordance with center policies.
• Follow proper diapering, sanitation, handwashing, and infection-control procedures.
• Assist with family-style meals and snacks and provide appropriate supervision during mealtimes.
• Help prepare, organize, clean, and sanitize classroom materials, toys, tables, learning centers, bathrooms, and other areas as assigned.
• Maintain children's belongings, cubbies, classroom materials, and supplies in an organized manner.
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, unusual incidents, suspected abuse or neglect, safety concerns, or supervision concerns to administration in accordance with center policies.
• Follow all procedures regarding attendance, child supervision, emergency preparedness, health and safety, and incident reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff members, and center matters.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with parents and coworkers.
• Accept direction and feedback from Lead Teachers and administration and complete assigned responsibilities in a timely manner.

Floater Responsibilities

Because this position also serves as a Floater, the employee must:

• Be available to assist in different classrooms as assigned by administration.
• Provide classroom coverage for staff breaks, absences, meetings, and other staffing needs.
• Become familiar with the routines and expectations of each classroom.
• Follow the direction of the Lead Teacher or Group Lead when assigned to a classroom.
• Maintain proper staff-to-child ratios and active supervision.
• Assist with arrival, dismissal, hallway, bathroom, playground, meal, and transition coverage when needed.
• Be flexible regarding classroom assignments, as assignments may change based on the needs of the center.

Attendance and Reliability

Regular and dependable attendance is an essential function of this position. The Assistant Teacher / Floater is expected to:

• Report to work on time and be ready to begin assigned duties at the scheduled start time.
• Follow Little Honors' procedures for reporting lateness or absences.
• Provide as much advance notice as possible when unable to report to work.
• Understand that reliable attendance is especially important because the center must maintain required staff-to-child ratios and appropriate classroom supervision.

Professional Expectations

All Assistant Teachers / Floaters are expected to:

• Maintain professional behavior and appropriate boundaries at all times.
• Treat children with patience, dignity, and respect.
• Never use inappropriate discipline, threatening language, yelling, physical punishment, or humiliating treatment.
• Refrain from personal cell phone use while responsible for supervising children except in an emergency or when specifically authorized.
• Follow Little Honors policies and procedures and all applicable childcare licensing requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, and required center activities.
• Work cooperatively with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Floaters, administration, and other staff members.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the physical responsibilities normally associated with working in an early childhood environment, including supervising children indoors and outdoors, sitting on the floor, bending, standing, walking, assisting children with daily routines, and responding promptly during emergencies.

Acknowledgment

This job description provides a general description of the responsibilities of the Assistant Teacher / Floater position. Duties and classroom assignments may be modified based on enrollment, staffing, licensing requirements, and the operational needs of Little Honors.

By accepting this position, the employee acknowledges the responsibility to follow Little Honors policies and procedures and to maintain the safety, supervision, and well-being of all children in their care.