Your Career Their Future!

Our employees are our biggest asset, and we intentionally shape their work experience to support growth opportunities that will impact our services. As we continue to evolve, we’re looking for skills, experience, energy, and creativity to support our initiatives. Put simply, this will be both fun and a meaningful journey!

Position Overview:

The Teacher Assistant (TA) will work to help implement a curriculum based on best practice performance standards as well as other standards as appropriate.

Works with the teacher to develop and implement a curriculum based on best practice standards.

Responsible for implementation of Department of Child, Youth and Families (DCYF) childcare, Head Start regulations, and Pre-K regulations.

Makes daily observations of health of children, report any condition needing attention.

Maintains progress notes and collecting other necessary data on the participation and progress of emotional, physical, social, and cognitive development of assigned children.

Communicates on a regular basis with staff regarding the individual needs of each child.

Ability to interact with members of the community representing diverse backgrounds and interests.

Works together with Mentor-Coaching Team to implement strategies that support the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth of individual children.

Participates in four parent teacher conferences a year, preferably two in the home and two at the site.

Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Qualifications for Early Head Start/Head Start Teacher Assistant:

• TA1- HS degree or equivalent minimum
• TA2- CDA minimum
• TA3- Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education minimum or bachelor’s degree in a related field such as child study, child psychology, early childhood special education, elementary education, or nursing.
• Ability to organize and plan activities, establish warm, supportive relationships, and provide a wide variety of stimulating and developmentally appropriate experiences for children.
• Basic computer skills required for data input and use of email.
• Strong organizational skills, computer skills and excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with staff, clients, and visitors, as well as the ability to recognize and respect the need for confidentiality.
• Possess the ability to perform strong outreach.

Qualifications for Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant:

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education OR hold an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree AND have successfully completed a Teacher Assistant Training program approved by the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; hold a RI Early Learning and Development Standard certificate relevant to this position OR an individual professional development plan for achieving this requirement within 12 months from date of employment.
• Ability to organize and plan activities.
• Ability to establish warm, supportive relationships and provide a wide variety of stimulating and developmentally appropriate experiences for children.
• Basic computer skills required for data input and use of email.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of criminal background checks, educational verification, medical, and proof of immunizations.

Children’s Friend offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Medical Dental and Vision coverage
• Employer contributions to the 403(b) plan
• Employer-paid Life and Disability insurance
• Flex Spending Accounts
• 11 Holidays
• Competitive Vacation Benefits
• Training and Professional Development
• Education Assistance
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Our Mission

Children’s Friend is the innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children.

About Us

Established in 1834, Children’s friend is Rhode Island’s oldest child welfare organization. We are an innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children and families. Our services include Early Head Start, Head Start, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), adoption, foster care, support for families with substance abuse, counseling, assistance for children with developmental delays, and other child welfare and early childhood services.

Children’s Friend is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

At Children’s Friend, diversity and inclusion are foundational to how we operate and are embedded in our Core Values. We recognize that to tap into the richness diversity truly brings, we must lead with inclusion and have a workplace where those differences can thrive and be leveraged to empower the lives of our employees and clients. Therefore, we respect and celebrate our employees’ diverse backgrounds and experiences and provide equal opportunity for all.

We strive for the best candidate experience for all applicants, and if you need special assistance, please let us know. Talent@cfsri.org