Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Assistant Teacher 

DIVISION: Childcare Center REVISION NO.: 1

REPORTS TO: Lead Teacher REVISION DATE: 6/2025

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POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in delivering a safe, nurturing, and stimulating classroom experience for children in their care. This role involves fostering children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth, while following Iowa’s childcare regulations and guidelines. The Assistant Teacher assists with routines, classroom management, and interpersonal interactions alongside the Lead Teacher and team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in implementing routines and curricula under the direction of the Lead Teacher.
• Support children’s routines (diapering, toileting, meal routines, rest periods) with patience and care.
• Provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere that helps children feel valued and safe.
• Engage children in appropriate activities, games, stories, and art projects.
• Communicate positively and respectfully with children.
• Support children’s social and emotional development.
• Provide appropriate supervision and help keep children engaged, comfortable, and involved in group routines.
• Help keep children safe and healthy by following sanitary routines, hand washing, health guidelines, and state regulations.
• Monitor children for signs of sickness or distress and promptly notify the Lead Teacher.
• Support the Lead Teacher in keeping child attendance, incident, health, and observation records up to date and accurate.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality with children’s and families’ information.
• Communicate effectively with team members and collaborate to provide high-quality care for children.
• Take directions from the Lead Teacher and contribute to a cohesive team atmosphere.
• Provide a helpful and flexible presence in the classroom and routines.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED (minimum).
• Experience in childcare or a related setting is preferred but not required.
• Additional training Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses, paraprofessional certificate, or Child Development Associate (CDA) preferred
• 1–2 years of hands-on experience with infants through school age strongly preferred
• Currently hold or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and move frequently to respond to children’s needs.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reliable, flexible, and passionate about working with children.
• Mandatory reporter training for child abuse in Iowa (required within 30/90 days of employment).
• Clearance of  background checks, fingerprint checks , and a physical exam
• Commitment to  ongoing professional development

Continuing Professional Development:

Training:

• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development (at least 12 hours per year), in compliance with Iowa regulations.
• Staying up to date with current practices in child care and education.

Physical Qualifications

• Position requires constant lifting, twisting, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching. Pushing and pulling may be required.        Frequently exposed and subject to changes in temperature and humidity, vapor, fumes, odors and infectious disease conditions. 
• Must be able to routinely lift 30-50 pounds.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• No supervisory responsibilities.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:

Must be able to operate computer and other office machines such as calculator, telephone, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

May be called upon to work overtime or odd schedules. Typically works in in the classroom. This position requires proficient organizational and communication skills. Must be able to perform several tasks at one time. This job requires the individual to be able to read, write and communicate with a diverse set of staff, children, youth, and parents/guardians.