Position Summary
Fort Firefly is seeking dependable, energetic, and caring part-time Teacher Assistants to support children during our early-morning before-care and evening after-care programs.
This position helps create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for children whose families work traditional and nontraditional schedules. The Teacher Assistant will support children during arrival and departure, transitions, meals and snacks, play, learning activities, and daily classroom routines.
Before- and after-care staff may work with children from multiple age groups. Employees must be comfortable adjusting activities, supervision, and interactions based on the ages and developmental needs of the children present.
This is an ideal opportunity for college students, retired educators, education professionals seeking additional hours, or individuals who enjoy working with children and need a consistent part-time schedule.
Available Shifts
Available schedules may include:
- Before Care: Approximately 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- After Care: Approximately 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Split-shift or combined before- and after-care schedules may be available.
- Exact hours may vary based on enrollment, staffing needs, and center operations.
Applicants may indicate availability for before care, after care, or both.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Arrive consistently and on time for all scheduled shifts.
- Prepare classrooms and shared spaces before children arrive.
- Greet children and families warmly during arrival and departure.
- Help children transition calmly into and out of the school day.
- Maintain accurate awareness of which children are present and who is authorized to pick them up.
- Follow all arrival, departure, sign-in, sign-out, and child-release procedures.
- Actively supervise children at all times.
- Engage children in age-appropriate play, conversation, reading, art, movement, and learning activities.
- Support positive interactions among children from different classrooms or age groups.
- Help children develop independence, confidence, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills.
- Support children during meals and snacks.
- Assist with diapering, toileting, handwashing, and toileting accidents as needed.
- Prepare and supervise rest, quiet-time, or evening routines when applicable.
- Provide a calm and nurturing environment for children arriving early in the morning or remaining at the center later in the evening.
- Communicate respectfully and professionally with parents and caregivers.
- Share appropriate information about each child’s morning or evening while maintaining confidentiality.
- Assist Lead Teachers and other staff with classroom transitions and coverage.
- Maintain clean, safe, organized, and inviting classrooms and shared spaces.
- Clean and sanitize tables, toys, learning materials, cots, bathrooms, and other areas used during the shift.
- Complete opening or closing duties as assigned.
- Follow all health, sanitation, supervision, emergency, and safety procedures.
- Attend required staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.
- Complete all required annual professional development hours.
- Follow Arkansas childcare licensing requirements and Fort Firefly policies and procedures.
- Perform other duties reasonably related to the position and Fort Firefly’s team-based operating model.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, or school-aged children preferred.
- Coursework, training, or credentials in early childhood education, child development, education, or a related field preferred.
- Child Development Associate credential preferred but not required for all positions.
- Must meet all Arkansas childcare licensing and background-check requirements.
- Must complete all required health, safety, orientation, and professional development training.
- Must have reliable transportation and be able to report consistently for early-morning or evening shifts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Basic understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Ability to supervise and engage children across multiple age groups.
- Ability to maintain a calm, positive, and structured environment during transitions.
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to follow classroom plans, center procedures, and directions from Lead Teachers and center leadership.
- Ability to remain patient, attentive, and professional in a busy childcare environment.
- Ability to make appropriate decisions that protect children’s safety and well-being.
- Ability to maintain confidential information.
- Basic computer and technology skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Willingness to participate in all classroom responsibilities, including cleaning, toileting, meals, transitions, and opening or closing routines.
Physical Requirements
This position requires active participation and movement throughout the shift. Employees must be able to:
- Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and move between indoor and outdoor environments.
- Sit on the floor and return to a standing position.
- Lift and carry up to 25 pounds regularly.
- Lift or assist a child weighing up to 40 pounds during an emergency or when necessary for the child’s safety.
- Respond quickly to children throughout classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and shared spaces.
- Perform routine cleaning, classroom preparation, and opening or closing responsibilities.
Professional Conduct
All employees serve as role models for the children and families served by Fort Firefly. Employees must demonstrate appropriate communication, emotional regulation, conflict-resolution skills, and professional behavior.
Hostility, aggression, inappropriate physical contact, discriminatory conduct, unnecessary physical actions, and inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable.
All employees must follow Fort Firefly policies, procedures, professional expectations, and employee guidelines.
Why Join Fort Firefly?
- Consistent part-time scheduling
- Early-morning and evening shift options
- Meaningful work supporting children and working families
- Opportunities to gain experience in early childhood education
- Professional development and training
- A collaborative, mission-driven work environment
Equal Opportunity Employer
Fort Firefly and AlliancEdu are equal opportunity employers. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
