Job Description
The Assistant Teacher/Aide reports directly to the Center Director. The Assistant Teacher/Aide receives daily guidance from the Head Teacher. The responsibilities of the Assistant Teacher/Aide include the following responsibilities:
- Assist in planning and implementing the daily program under the guidance of the Head Teacher.
- Assist in supervision and insuring the safety and well-being of classroom children at all times, being alert to the needs and/or concerns of the children as individuals and as a group.
- Report to the teacher or Center Director any cases of suspected child abuse or neglect
- Report to the teacher or Center Director any special needs or concerns of individual child or parent
- Assist the classroom teachers as directed, including, but not limited to the following:
- Planning curriculum in detail for assigned classroom
- Implementing the daily program for assigned classroom
- Decorating classroom bulletin boards, pictures, children’s artwork and other items
- Help to maintain a neat and orderly classroom environment
Minimum Job Requirements
A. To qualify or continue to qualify as a child care teacher in a preschool center, an individual shall:
(1) Be 19 years old or older;
(2) Have a high school diploma, a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses for credit from an accredited college or university;
(3) Have successfully completed 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours or their equivalent of approved preservice training, or hold the Child Development Associate Credential issued by the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program;
(4) Have completed 3 clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
(5) Effective January 1, 2020, have completed approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment;
(6) Have 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or at least one academic college course for credit; and
(7) Have at least:
(a) 1 year of experience working under supervision primarily with preschoolers in a licensed child care center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting, or as a registered family child care provider caring for preschoolers; or
(b) 1 year of college, or a combination of experience and college that together are equivalent to 1 year and meet one of the criteria set forth at §A(6) of this regulation.
B. An individual meets the requirements of §A(3) of this regulation if the individual:
(1) Holds an associate’s or higher degree with approved courses in early childhood education;
(2) Has been qualified before July 1, 2008, as a child care teacher in a preschool center and has been continuously employed since that time at the same or another preschool center;
(3) Has been approved as a teacher by the Department for early childhood in nursery school through third grade; or
(4) Is certified by the Department or by any other state for early childhood in nursery school through third grade.
C. A child care teacher in a preschool center shall:
(1) According to the individual’s professional development plan, complete approved continued training, at the rate of at least 12 clock hours per full year of employment as a child care teacher, that consists of a:
(a) Minimum of 6 clock hours of core of knowledge training; and
(b) Maximum of 6 clock hours of elective training;
(2) Document completion of the continued training on the professional development plan; and
(3) Document that the health and safety training, as required by the office, is completed by each staff member by the end of each 12-month period, measured each calendar year.
D. A child care teacher wishing to supervise a group of infants or toddlers shall:
(1) Unless qualified by the office before July 1, 2008, to supervise a group of infants or toddlers:
(a) Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation and have completed 3 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related to the care of infants and toddlers; or
(b) Meet the requirements of §A(1), (2), and (4)—(7) of this regulation and have completed 6 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related exclusively to the care of infants and toddlers; and
(2) Have completed approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices.
