Assistant Toddler Teacher

Position Description

The Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children from birth through age three. The Assistant Teacher helps implement daily routines, facilitates learning experiences, supports children's development, and contributes to a positive classroom community.

The Assistant Teacher works collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and other staff members to support children's social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, and creative development. Through responsive caregiving, observation, and meaningful interactions, the Assistant Teacher helps ensure a high-quality environment that promotes secure relationships, exploration, and learning.

Responsibilities and Duties

Child Development and Care

• Provide responsive, individualized care that supports the unique needs of each child.
• Build nurturing relationships that promote children's sense of security, trust, and belonging.
• Support children's social-emotional development through positive interactions and relationship-based practices.
• Assist children with daily care routines including feeding, diapering, toileting, sleeping, dressing, and hygiene.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to children's developmental, emotional, behavioral, and health needs.

Curriculum and Learning Environment

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning experiences planned by the Lead Teacher.
• Engage actively with children during play, routines, sensory experiences, and daily interactions.
• Use observation to support children's learning and contribute information to curriculum planning discussions.
• Assist with preparing materials and maintaining an organized, safe, and inviting classroom environment.
• Support opportunities for language development, sensory exploration, movement, problem-solving, creativity, and social interaction.
• Help document children's learning through photographs, observations, work samples, and classroom displays.
• Support program philosophies, including play-based learning, relationship-based practices, and culturally responsive teaching.
• Integrate Jewish values, traditions, and culture into classroom experiences as appropriate.

Assessment and Documentation

• Assist with observing and documenting children's development, interests, and learning experiences.
• Contribute information for assessments, developmental screenings, and classroom documentation.
• Maintain accurate records as assigned, including attendance, daily care routines, health information, and classroom documentation.
• Support documentation practices that make children's learning visible to families and the classroom community.

Family Engagement

• Establish positive and professional relationships with families.
• Communicate daily information regarding children's routines and experiences as directed by the Lead Teacher and program procedures.
• Welcome families into the classroom and support family engagement activities and events.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Classroom Collaboration and Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and classroom team to support children's learning and well-being.
• Follow classroom schedules, routines, and program procedures.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist wherever needed within the classroom and program.
• Participate in classroom planning discussions and team meetings.
• Model professionalism and positive interactions with children, families, and colleagues.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and program policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment.
• Assist with health and safety checks and required documentation.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and follow established procedures.
• Participate in emergency drills, trainings, and required safety procedures.
• Administer medication only when properly trained and authorized in accordance with program policies and regulations.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and professional development activities as required.
• Complete all OCFS training requirements and annual professional development requirements.
• Maintain required certifications and professional credentials.
• Participate in program-wide events, family programs, and special activities.
• Support the swim program and other specialty programming as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the ECE Director or Assistant Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Minimum of 1 year of paid or volunteer experience working with children
• Must demonstrate interest in working with young children, parents, and volunteers
• Must demonstrate success in working as member of a team
• Must have effective and strong communication skills (written and oral)
• Must demonstrate ability to work well with young children
• Possess a warm, loving, and nurturing personality
• Familiarity with NYS OCFS regulations preferred
• Must receive clearance by NYS OCFS at the time of hire

 
 
Physical Demands:

• Good physical condition and strength.
• Able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs.
• Able to walk, squat/kneel, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time
• Able to see, hear, and speak with children to ensure their health and safety
• Quick reflexes to respond to needs of children.
• Able to walk rapidly or run if there is an emergency which require staff to do so.
• Sitting on floor, chairs and ability to get up and down with ease.
• Ability to bend from knees to help a child with clothing, shoes or other needs.
• Ability to diaper or help child with toilet needs.
• Ability to have child lean on or sit on lap of staff member.
• Ability to reach and retrieve items if necessary.
• Ability to clean, including low tables and items on floor.
• Ability to help set up room: including bulletin boards and other surfaces

 
 
We offer competitive wages and benefits including health insurance, paid time off, holiday pay, 401k and free membership.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. This job description is to be used as a guideline to describe the current functions and requirements of the position. The job description may change at any time based on business needs and/or job reorganization.
We are an equal opportunity employer. As such, employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications and abilities.

Salary : $17 - $18