Jack DeFord Early Learning Center Teacher Aide
About The Position
The Teacher Aide provides responsive, developmentally appropriate support for infants and toddlers through relationship-based, whole-child practices. The role assists Lead Teachers and classroom teams with daily routines, curriculum, and maintaining the classroom environment, including providing coverage during staff absences, breaks, and planning time. The Teacher Aide partners with families to reinforce learning and development, supports compliance with State Child Care Licensing requirements, contributes to NAEYC accreditation efforts, and models SCCAP’s commitment to empowering people to reach their potential. The position supports children’s safety, supervision, care routines, and learning. It assists with curriculum implementation, classroom setup and upkeep, observing and documenting children’s development, and maintaining required records. The Teacher Aide follows applicable local, state, and federal requirements, licensing regulations, and SCCAP procedures.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalency.
- Maintain the integrity of confidential employment, client, and business information.
- Be philosophically aligned with SCCAP’s mission and the Micro Center’s approach to early learning, child development, and viewing children as whole, capable individuals.
- Apply professional judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills to support safe, respectful, and intentional classroom practices.
- Successfully complete all state and federal background checks required for employment in licensed early childhood programs, including child abuse and neglect clearances.
- Obtain a physical examination from a licensed healthcare provider, as required by Indiana childcare licensing regulations.
- Complete a pre-employment drug screening.
- Obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 60 days of hire.
- Be able to use departmental equipment, tools, and materials.
- Be able to exert physical effort in light to moderate work, including lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying, pushing, and pulling; stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, and balancing.
- Have a normal range of hearing and vision.
- Be able to handle diverse work problems on a daily basis.
- Be able to set priorities and work schedules while adjusting to changes caused by last-minute assignments and deadline requests that may prove stressful.
- Maintain a consistent pleasant attitude and demonstrate personal maturity.
- Be able to relate and interact with people at all levels of the company and in a culturally diverse environment.
Nice To Haves
- Completion of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
- An associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Responsibilities
- Ensure children are never left unattended and actively monitor the classroom to maintain a safe, secure environment.
- Provide responsive, respectful care during routines such as diapering, toileting, feeding, and comforting, honoring each child’s autonomy and developmental needs.
- Implement individualized feeding plans and support children in developing healthy attitudes toward food and eating.
- Immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with state law and SCCAP policy.
- Support the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with children’s emerging interests, individuality, and whole-person growth.
- Assist with setting up and maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, with materials and activities that support the curriculum and respond to children’s goals, needs, and interests.
- Observe and document children’s development to inform intentional, relationship-based teaching practices.
- Support individual and group learning activities, responding to children’s skills, interests, and temperament.
- Maintain classroom cleanliness by tidying, organizing materials, and performing light housekeeping, including laundry and sanitizing surfaces.
- Maintain accurate attendance, incident, meal, and other required records.
- Assist the Lead Teacher in documenting observations and assessments to support individualized care and inform teaching practices.
- Follow local, state, and federal policies, licensing regulations, and SCCAP procedures.
- Assist the Lead Teacher in maintaining classroom practices aligned with SCCAP policies, Indiana Childcare Licensing requirements, and NAEYC accreditation standards.
- Assist classroom teams with daily routines, curriculum, and environment maintenance, including coverage during staff absences, breaks, and planning time.
- Partner with families to reinforce children’s learning and development.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
