Infant Toddler Teacher Assistant

CPCD•Colorado Springs, CO

7d•$18 - $22

About The Position

The Infant Toddler Teacher Assistant supports the teacher in establishing, planning, and implementing safe, healthy, high-quality learning experiences and environments that advance the development of the whole child in partnership with families. The role follows CPCD policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements, and Colorado Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care and Education Services. It implements group and individualized experiences that promote school readiness skills under CPCD’s School Readiness Action Plan. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week and is set to begin December 2; no year is specified. The assistant supports classroom teachers with planning, learning environments, child development, supervision, safety, hygiene, caregiving routines, classroom management, family communication, documentation, and professional development. The position serves infants and toddlers and works collaboratively with lead teachers, families, and other staff. CPCD serves children from prenatal through age five and their families through Head Start and Early Head Start programs in six school districts throughout El Paso County. The pay scale ranges from $17.59 to $22.34 per hour, based on credentials and education. Eligibility for additional benefits requires working 25 or more hours per week. The posting lists paid vacation, sick time, holidays and breaks; medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; supplemental and voluntary insurance options; employer-paid basic life, long-term disability, and AD&D insurance; a 401(k) program with traditional and Roth options and automatic enrollment in profit-sharing after one year; tuition assistance after 60 days; an employee assistance program; and paid time for wellness activities. Employment is contingent on successful completion of required post-offer, pre-employment physical examination, TB screening, background screening, and drug testing, including marijuana. The role requires lifting, carrying, or manipulating up to 40 pounds and access to reliable transportation. CPCD is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II (PDIS); candidates who do not hold the credential must be willing to obtain it within two years of hire.
Obtain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certification within 90 days of employment and maintain certifications as required.
Ability to lift, carry, or manipulate up to 40 pounds.
Access to reliable transportation to perform job functions, including travel to another location during the workday if necessary.
If using a personal vehicle, maintain minimum liability insurance as determined by the State of Colorado.
Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination, TB test, drug test (including marijuana), and background check in accordance with Office of Head Start Performance Standards and childcare licensing; physical examination and TB test thereafter as required.
Maintain CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment and renew them every two years.
Complete Colorado Shines PDIS training in Recognition and Reporting and Child Abuse and Neglect and Infant Safe Sleep Practices every year.
Complete Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma training every two years.
Complete Medication Administration Training and Precautions in Transporting Children training every three years.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of successful work experience with children from birth to age three and/or age five.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities supporting infants’ and toddlers’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Prepare materials, organize the classroom, and help maintain a clean, safe learning environment.
Collaborate with the lead teacher to assess children’s progress and adjust learning strategies to individual needs.
Maintain constant supervision during classroom activities, outdoor play, and transitions; implement safety procedures and conduct safety checks.
Respond to children’s needs, including diapering, toilet-training support, and feeding routines.
Perform diaper changes and follow health, safety, cleaning, and sanitizing protocols; assist with toileting and promote handwashing and other hygiene habits.
Engage children in developmentally appropriate, child-centered activities and encourage curiosity, positive interactions, sharing, turn-taking, and problem-solving.
Build warm, nurturing relationships with children and supportive partnerships with families, providing updates on children’s progress and care as directed by the lead teacher.
Support positive behavior-management strategies, classroom order, transitions, and children’s adjustment to routines.
Communicate with the lead teacher and collaborate with staff to maintain consistency in lesson plans, routines, and individualized attention.
Participate in professional development, staff meetings, and required training; seek feedback and opportunities to improve skills.
Assist with accurate attendance records, incident reports, behavioral observations, developmental progress reports, and documentation of children’s progress.
Maintain confidentiality of information concerning children, families, and staff across face-to-face, written, and electronic communications.
Follow health and hygiene protocols, including handwashing, cleaning, and sanitizing toys, equipment, and classroom areas.
Maintain required CPR and First Aid certifications and complete specified recurring Colorado Shines PDIS trainings.
Perform other duties as assigned by the lead teacher or Child Development Supervisor.

Benefits

Paid vacation time, paid sick time, and paid holidays and breaks for eligible employees working 25 or more hours per week.
Paid holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Presidents Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Paid breaks include one week for spring break, one week for fall break, and two weeks for winter break.
Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees.
Flexible spending accounts.
Aflac supplemental insurance and voluntary life insurance.
Employer-paid basic life, long-term disability, and AD&D insurance.
401(k) with traditional and Roth enrollment options and automatic enrollment in profit-sharing after one year of employment.
Tuition assistance after 60 days of employment: up to $4,000 per year for Early Childhood Education associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and $2,500 per year for other degrees related to employment at CPCD.
Employee Assistance Program with six free counselor or therapist sessions per year.
Well-being program, including two hours of paid time per month for wellness activities.