Infant Assistant Teacher

Training & Research Foundation•Santa Ana, CA

3d•$19 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Create a Place Where Little Ones Feel Safe, Loved, and Ready to Learn. The first years of a child's life are filled with important moments of growth and discovery. Infants and toddlers are learning to trust, communicate, explore, build relationships, and develop independence every day. As an Infant Assistant Teacher at TRF, you will help create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel secure and supported while developing at their own pace. You will support the implementation of our Emergent Curriculum, assist with daily routines and lesson planning, observe children's development, and create meaningful experiences based on each child's interests, needs, and developmental stage. This is more than caring for children. You are helping build the foundation for their early learning, development, and sense of security.

Requirements

A minimum of 12 Units in Early Childhood Education, including 3 Units in Infant/Toddler and an Assistant Teacher Permit issued from CCTC.
Previous experience working with Infants and Toddlers ages Birth-24 Months
Ability to read, write, and communicate using proper English grammar
Good oral and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with wide range of individuals, including, staff and parents
Complete a physical examination (LIC 503), and provide proof of immunization for the following: influenza, Tdap, MMR, and a Current TB test
Submission of satisfactory proof of your identity and your legal authorization to work in the United States. If you fail to submit this proof, federal law prohibits us from hiring you.
Complete Child Abuse Mandated Reporter (AB1207)
Criminal Record Clearance (DOJ/FBI/CACI)

Nice To Haves

Enjoy working with infants and toddlers and understand their unique developmental needs.
Are patient, nurturing, attentive, and responsive to children's individual cues.
Enjoy creating meaningful learning experiences through play, exploration, and everyday routines.
Are comfortable supporting diapering, toilet training, meals, snacks, naps, and other daily routines.
Understand the importance of creating a calm, home-like environment where children feel safe and secure.
Enjoy observing children and learning about their interests, strengths, and developmental progress.
Build positive and respectful relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
Are dependable, organized, and ready to work as part of a collaborative teaching team.
Bring a positive attitude and are committed to continued professional growth.
You are patient and calm, even when a child is having a difficult moment.
You understand that infants and toddlers communicate in many different ways, and you take the time to notice and respond to their cues.
You create structure and consistency while giving children opportunities to explore, make choices, and develop independence.
You understand that caregiving routines—feeding, diapering, comforting, playing, and talking—are also opportunities for learning and connection.
You communicate openly and respectfully with families and coworkers.
You take safety seriously and understand that active supervision and responsive caregiving are essential to every child's well-being. You bring warmth, patience, creativity, and intention to your work—and you understand that the way you show up each day can make a lasting impression on a child's earliest experiences.

Responsibilities

Assist with implementing the Emergent Curriculum and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Assist with preparing weekly lesson plans that include indoor and outdoor activities based on children's individual needs, interests, and schedules.
Provide multicultural educational materials and activities that reflect the children and families in the program.
Help organize the classroom according to children's developmental levels and individual needs.
Create opportunities for children to develop trust, emotional security, self-awareness, autonomy, self-expression, and gross and fine motor skills.
Help maintain a home-like, organized, safe, sanitary, and stimulating classroom environment.
Organize developmentally appropriate learning areas and rotate materials to keep children engaged.
Support safe and developmentally appropriate diapering and toilet-training routines.
Build secure relationships with assigned infants and toddlers through primary and continuity of care.
Respond to children's cries, babbles, sounds, and communication in a calm, caring, and nurturing manner.
Use positive and appropriate child guidance strategies.
Observe children throughout the day and document developmental observations and milestones.
Assist with developmental screenings and referrals as assigned.
Maintain accurate and updated individual and group developmental checklists.
Support children's learning through play, sensory experiences, movement, language, and everyday interactions.
Provide meals and snacks according to each child's age, development, and individual needs.
Participate in family-style dining and follow program procedures and applicable standards.
Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
Follow required child-to-staff ratios and all health and safety requirements.
Maintain a clean, sanitary, and hazard-free classroom.
Follow proper procedures for diapering, toileting, meals, and other caregiving routines.
Maintain accurate attendance, food reports, in-kind reports, and other required records.
Report concerns appropriately and follow program procedures for incidents and mandated reporting.
Ensure classroom materials and equipment are safe and developmentally appropriate.
Greet children and families warmly each day and help create a positive transition between home and the center.
Build respectful and trusting relationships with parents and caregivers.
Maintain ongoing, professional communication with families about their child's activities, development, and experiences.
Share classroom activities and ideas that families can continue at home to support their child's learning.
Encourage families to participate in workshops, trainings, classroom activities, and other program events.
Help create a strong home-to-center connection and meaningful family partnership.