Childcare Floater

Penfield Children's Center•Milwaukee, WI

7d•$18 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Childcare Floater works collaboratively with Early Head Start and Head Start teachers to support the successful operation of classrooms and works with families to implement curriculum and achieve outcomes for children of all abilities. Performance is evaluated based on role-specific skills, dispositions, and behaviors as well as general expectations for Penfield Children’s Center employees. The position is full-time, hourly, non-exempt, and has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Completion of Child Care Foundational Trainings: Introduction to the Child Care Profession, Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher, and Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care.
Prior experience with children aged 0–5 years.
Ability to build positive, cooperative relationships with children, families, teammates, and community partners.
Organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to balance documentation, communication, and classroom responsibilities.
Basic comfort with technology, including email, internet use, data entry, and navigating databases.
Meet required health and safety clearances in accordance with Penfield Children’s Center policy, including an annual flu vaccine and tuberculosis test.
Ability to move throughout the classroom and center, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and sitting on the floor with children.
Ability to lift, carry, and hold children weighing up to 40 pounds as needed.
Ability to safely push, pull, or maneuver classroom equipment, strollers, or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to maintain visual and auditory supervision of children, including during active play, outdoor activities, and transitions.
Ability to support children with toileting, handwashing, meals, and hygiene as needed.
Ability to tolerate typical early childhood conditions, including noise, frequent movement, and exposure to cleaning products used according to licensing and program standards.

Nice To Haves

Birth to Five, Infant/Toddler, or Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA), or an Infant/Toddler or Preschool Credential.
Valid driver’s license.
First Aid/CPR certification.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience supporting diverse families and communities.
Familiarity with Head Start standards or Wisconsin DCF licensing.

Responsibilities

Assist teachers in complying with Head Start Program Performance Standards, Wisconsin DCF licensing, and accreditation requirements.
Uphold classroom policies, procedures, and health and safety practices.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom, refresh learning centers, and ensure materials are sanitized and in good repair.
Supervise and monitor assigned children to support their safety and social-emotional development.
Protect family confidentiality and provide parents with timely, accurate information about their child’s progress.
Collaborate respectfully with co-teachers, center staff, and families to support a positive learning environment.
Follow mandated reporting requirements for suspected child abuse or neglect.
Adapt to changing classroom assignments and schedules.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

128 PTO hours (three weeks plus one day), earned per pay period and usable early.
One additional week of PTO after three years and another additional week after four years.
33 paid holidays in 2026.
One week of spring break.
Two weeks of summer break.
Winter break from December 23 through New Year’s.
One employee-choice holiday.
Immediate 403(b) retirement enrollment, with company match after one year (50% of employee contributions up to 3%).
Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning the first of the month after 30 days.
Flexible Spending Account.
Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Arrangement, based on health plan.
Voluntary short-term and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident insurance.
Company-paid life insurance equal to twice annual salary.
Two weeks of paid parental leave.
Employee Assistance Program.