Early Childhood Associate-For the 2026-27 School Year

Des Moines Public School District • Chicago, IA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

This position will be .5 JFTaylor Pre-School and .5 Woodlawn Pre-School. The Early Childhood Special Education Associate assists teachers in the instruction, supervision, and care of all students. Specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the students and department. The role involves supervising students, contributing to curriculum, supervising meals, implementing behavior management plans, assisting with record keeping and data collection, performing personal care duties, and participating in required trainings and meetings.

Requirements

• Associates degree or higher in early childhood education or related field or willingness to obtain certification listed below.
• If the education requirements above are not met, candidate must be willing to obtain a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Ability to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and child centered.
• Ability to clarify and reinforce teacher directions.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other staff.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with preschool children in an early childhood program.
• Basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise students in all assigned areas, including bus loading and unloading.
• Contribute to curriculum planning and implementation.
• Supervise meals or snacks with children, modeling appropriate etiquette and mealtime conversations.
• Under teacher direction, follow behavior management plans for individual students and implement specific strategies to maintain behavior and de-escalate inappropriate behavior.
• Assist in record keeping, instruction, monitoring progress, and data collection.
• Perform personal care duties such as feeding, toileting/diapering, and positioning.
• Participate in all district and department required trainings, including first aid, CPR, and mandatory child and adult abuse training.
• Participate in family orientation and parent or Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings as required.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check.
• Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree