Center Aide
About The Position
The Center Aide is an entry-level, versatile position working under the guidance of an Education Specialist. The role provides support in classrooms and helps maintain a safe playground while promoting children’s health, safety, and school readiness. Duties may involve working in multiple center locations and contributing to transportation, kitchen operations, family services, and developmental specialties. The aide supervises and engages with children, supports their physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development, and helps create a warm, respectful, inclusive classroom with ongoing learning opportunities. The role includes supporting children with IFSPs and IEPs, dual-language learners, and children’s learning through interaction with nature. The aide also follows supervision, safety, health, sanitation, and CACFP requirements; assists with family-style meals and classroom cleaning; and responds to feedback and training recommendations. Caregiving duties may include lifting children, changing diapers, feeding infants with bottles, and sitting on the floor during activities or circle time. Additional responsibilities may be assigned to support the center’s objectives.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Entry-level; candidates may apply with or without prior education or experience.
- Enthusiasm for working with children, including children with special needs and limited English proficiency.
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, and crouch for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
- Comfort sitting on the floor, crawling, running, and performing caregiving tasks for children aged 0–5.
- Be prepared to present current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handler’s permits or acquire them within 30 days of hire.
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency in both Spanish and English.
- High school diploma or GED is highly preferred.
- CDA (Childhood Development Associate) within the first six months or an AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field is advantageous.
Responsibilities
- Follow supervision, safety, and health policies and procedures.
- Actively supervise and engage with children and work closely with teachers to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
- Foster a supportive environment where children can develop and practice appropriate behaviors individually and in groups.
- Promote children’s physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development through culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
- Create positive, warm, caring, and respectful interactions with children.
- Respond to children’s emotional, physical, and educational needs while fostering expression and autonomy.
- Collaborate with teachers to engage children in activities and maintain ongoing learning opportunities in the classroom.
- Recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths and encourage practices that support dual-language learners.
- Encourage children to learn through interaction with nature and the natural environment.
- Assist with implementing suitable learning activities for children with IFSPs and IEPs.
- Model proper grammar, appropriate voice level, and clear speech.
- Support classroom sanitation and cleaning schedules.
- Follow CACFP rules, maintain sanitation during mealtimes, and follow family-style meal service guidelines.
- Receive and act on feedback from supervisors and advisors, and seek training or assistance when needed.
- Assist with physical caregiving tasks, including lifting children, changing diapers, feeding infants with bottles, and sitting on the floor during activities or circle time.
- Provide classroom and playground support and contribute as needed to transportation, kitchen operations, family services, and developmental specialties.
- Carry out additional responsibilities that contribute to the center’s objectives.
Benefits
- Strong compensation and comprehensive benefits to support health and financial well-being.
- Continuous training and certifications, with career development opportunities.
- Mentorship and coaching from experienced colleagues.
- A positive, respectful workplace that values work-life balance and healthy boundaries.
- A culture that prioritizes wellness, connection, and belonging.
- Regular recognition and appreciation of employee contributions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
