About This Role
The Lead Aide works closely with the classroom teacher and administration to support the daily operation of the classroom and ensure a safe, clean, nurturing, and engaging environment for all keiki. The Lead Aide assists with lesson preparation, classroom organization, supervision of keiki and aides, and daily classroom responsibilities.
The Lead Aide serves as a role model and resource for other aides and is responsible for helping ensure that classroom routines, schedules, and expectations are followed. The Lead Aide reports directly to the Director and Assistant Director while working collaboratively with the classroom teacher.
What You'll Do
-
Assist the teacher with daily classroom preparation and organization.
-
Prepare materials, supplies, activities, and learning centers in accordance with lesson plans.
-
Help set up and break down classroom activities and learning areas.
-
Assist the teacher with implementing daily lessons, activities, and classroom routines.
-
Maintain an organized, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
-
Anticipate classroom needs and assist the teacher proactively throughout the day.
-
Communicate classroom needs, concerns, and observations to the teacher and administration.
-
Actively supervise and observe keiki at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
-
Maintain awareness of individual keiki's needs, behaviors, interactions, and safety.
-
Support positive guidance and age-appropriate behavior management.
-
Assist with transitions, routines, meals, nap/rest periods, toileting, and other daily care responsibilities as applicable.
-
Promote a safe, nurturing, respectful, and inclusive environment.
-
Follow all health, safety, sanitation, and childcare policies and procedures.
-
Report injuries, incidents, safety concerns, or significant behavioral/developmental observations to the appropriate staff member.
-
Clean, sanitize, and organize classroom centers, toys, materials, and equipment on a regular basis.
-
Ensure learning centers and classroom materials are properly maintained and ready for use.
-
Assist with daily classroom cleaning and end-of-day responsibilities.
-
Help maintain a clean and sanitary environment throughout the day, including high-touch areas and shared materials.
-
Monitor classroom supplies and communicate when materials need to be replaced, replenished, or repaired.
-
Provide direction, support, and guidance to classroom aides.
-
Help ensure all aides understand and follow their assigned schedules and responsibilities.
-
Monitor aide assignments and classroom coverage throughout the day.
-
Ensure aides remain actively engaged in their assigned duties and responsibilities.
-
Help coordinate aide coverage during transitions, breaks, activities, and other classroom needs.
-
Serve as a positive role model for professionalism, teamwork, communication, and classroom conduct.
-
Address routine questions or concerns from aides and communicate matters requiring administrative attention to the Director or Assistant Director.
-
Help ensure classroom staff are following program policies, procedures, and expectations.
-
Notify the Director or Assistant Director when staffing, safety, performance, or classroom concerns require administrative follow-up.
-
Maintain open and professional communication with the teacher, aides, Director, and Assistant Director.
-
Report important classroom updates, concerns, or incidents to administration in a timely manner.
-
Maintain confidentiality regarding keiki, families, staff, and program information.
-
Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as required.
-
Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
-
Work cooperatively with all staff to support a positive classroom and center environment.
-
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director.
The Lead Aide works directly with the classroom teacher in supporting daily classroom operations and provides guidance and oversight to classroom aides.
The Lead Aide reports directly to the Director and Assistant Director and is responsible for communicating significant classroom, staffing, safety, or performance concerns to administration.
The Lead Aide is expected to support the teacher's direction while also helping ensure that all aides are fulfilling their assigned responsibilities and maintaining appropriate supervision of keiki.
Requirements
-
Previous experience working with young children in a childcare, preschool, or educational setting preferred.
-
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
-
Strong communication and organizational skills.
-
Ability to take initiative and work independently when appropriate.
-
Ability to provide direction and guidance to other staff in a professional and respectful manner.
-
Dependable, responsible, patient, and nurturing.
-
Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor in a busy classroom environment.
-
Must meet all applicable childcare licensing, training, health, and background-check requirements.
-
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and move throughout the classroom for extended periods.
-
Ability to safely interact with and supervise young children.
-
Ability to lift and carry children and classroom materials as required by the position.
-
Ability to respond quickly to the needs of keiki and classroom safety situations.
The Lead Aide is expected to demonstrate leadership through example, accountability, teamwork, and active participation. This position is not only responsible for assisting the teacher but also for helping maintain a well-organized classroom and ensuring that aides remain engaged, responsible, and consistent with their assigned duties.
The Lead Aide should always prioritize the safety, well-being, development, and positive experience of every keiki while supporting the teacher and maintaining effective communication with administration.
Nice To Haves
-
CDA certification
- AA in ECE
-
Early Childhood Education experience
Leadership experience
-
Benefits
-
Health Insurance
-
Dental Insurance
-
Vision Insurance
-
Paid Leave
-
Sick Leave
-
Retirement Plan
-
Tuition Assistance
-
Child Care Discount
-
Professional Development
