CLASSROOM ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

Explaining what a Classroom Assistant does takes about one sentence. The harder part is what comes after: supporting infant and toddler development under NAEYC-aligned practices, maintaining Community Care Licensing compliance, and moving between the classroom and a child's individual portfolio record without missing either. This role works directly beneath a Lead Teacher, contributing to daily curriculum delivery and Desired Results documentation across age groups from infancy through preschool. Few early education roles demand this range of developmental knowledge at the entry level.

As the Classroom Assistant, you support Lead Teachers in delivering developmentally appropriate programming across infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms, with direct responsibility for child supervision, curriculum preparation, and anecdotal documentation. The position operates within a licensed early childhood center governed by Community Care Licensing standards, reporting to the Lead Teacher and Site Director.

Career Impact: Hands-on experience with NAEYC frameworks and Desired Results documentation builds a portfolio credential that early childhood employers treat as direct evidence of classroom readiness for a Lead Teacher role.

Business Impact: The families and children served by licensed early childhood programs depend on consistent, knowledgeable support in the classroom - gaps in that support slow developmental progress measured in quarterly portfolio assessments.

Growth Opportunity: Completing the required Child Development units while working in this role creates a direct path toward an Associate or Lead Teacher credential, increasing both scope and earning power within licensed center-based care.

• Implement daily curriculum activities for assigned children under the Lead Teacher's direction, following Developmentally Appropriate Practice guidelines.
• Prepare and organize instructional materials, outdoor activity setups, and classroom resources ahead of each program session.
• Document children's developmental progress through anecdotal records, photographs, and work samples for inclusion in individual portfolio assessments.
• Conduct daily health checks at arrival, ensure warm family greetings, and monitor departure routines for safety and accuracy.
• Support children's self-help skill development, including diapering, toilet learning, handwashing, rest, and mealtime routines per NAEYC standards.
• Reinforce IEP-aligned language and behavior techniques using redirection and conflict resolution consistent with Lead Teacher direction.
• Maintain classroom environment to Community Care Licensing sanitation, safety, and supervision standards throughout the program day.
• Assist Lead Teacher in recording attendance, meal counts, and absence documentation accurately.

• Bachelor's degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of experience in a licensed early childhood setting, with demonstrated knowledge of infant and toddler developmental stages.
• Minimum 12 core units in Child Development completed from an accredited college or university.
• Familiarity with NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Desired Results developmental frameworks.
• Ability to pass required health screenings and maintain current immunizations, including influenza, pertussis, and measles as required by licensing.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of family and child records in compliance with center policy and Community Care Licensing regulations.
• Strong verbal communication skills for interaction with children, families, and multidisciplinary staff across diverse populations.

• Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level 2 Certificate, or equivalent state-recognized credential.
• 3 or more units of coursework specifically in Infant/Toddler care, enabling assignment to infant and toddler classrooms.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, supporting communication with families in multilingual program environments.
• CPR and First Aid certification current at the time of hire.

• Portfolio completion rate: percentage of assigned children with current anecdotal records, photographs, and work samples on schedule.
• Health check compliance: daily arrival health screenings completed and logged within program start windows.
• Licensing audit readiness: classroom sanitation and supervision records meeting Community Care Licensing standards at all inspection points.
• IEP reinforcement consistency: fidelity rate of behavior and language techniques aligned with Lead Teacher-specified plans across observed sessions.
• Attendance documentation accuracy: error rate on daily attendance, meal count, and absence logs submitted to the Lead Teacher.
• Typical tools: Child portfolio systems (commonly Brightwheel or Teaching Strategies GOLD); licensing record management (commonly paper-based or center-administered digital logs).

• Base Salary Range: $18,000 to $28,000 per year, depending on units completed and center size
• Bonus: Infrequent; some centers offer modest annual retention bonuses
• Equity: Not applicable at this level in center-based early childhood programs
• Health Benefits: Varies by center; larger nonprofit and YMCA-affiliated programs typically offer medical coverage
• PTO: 5 to 10 days annually; some centers follow school-year calendars with built-in breaks
• Common Perks: Tuition assistance toward Child Development units, subsidized childcare at center, paid professional development hours

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful completion of a background check, including criminal history and any applicable drug screening, is a condition of employment in this role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Classroom Assistant owns the delivery of child-led learning support across a 15-week early literacy program, building relationships with caregivers and children while following structured lesson plans that span educational and recreational activities. Working alongside the lead teacher and reporting through the program's site structure, the Classroom Assistant enables caregiver engagement and early childhood development outcomes for enrolled families.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents and children.
• Monitor for engagement in activities and redirect as needed.
• Encourage children's emotional, social, and physical development, and positive self-concept.
• Maintain current knowledge of developments and best practices in early childhood education.
• Follow lesson plans that include educational and recreational activities.
• Support parents' engagement in activities and encourage their development in child-led play and the conscious discipline model of the program.
• Support the lead teacher in preparing weekly activities and materials.
• Clean and sanitize toys, furniture, and play equipment.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in childcare, especially infant and early childhood settings, preferred.
• Experienced or comfortable facilitating curriculum to a group.
• Organized and able to prioritize tasks and handle multiple assignments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish required.
• Positive, service-oriented team player who works well with others.
• Committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging by leveraging people's differences as strengths.

Embedded within the school's instructional support team, the Classroom Assistant provides hands-on preparation and in-class supervision to keep daily lessons running smoothly and ensure every student can access learning activities. Working closely with classroom teachers and school leadership, the Classroom Assistant helps maintain a safe, organized environment that supports student participation and behavioural development.

Core Functions

• Assist with classroom preparation by getting materials ready and setting up equipment.
• Distribute materials and equipment as needed.
• Maintain classroom tidiness and cleanliness.
• Supervise students in class and at times on excursions.
• Revise lesson activities with students individually or in small groups.
• Help children who need extra support to complete tasks.
• Support teachers in managing class behaviour.
• Clear away materials and equipment after lessons.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working with young children required.
• Able to build trusting relationships with students and parents.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills required.
• Able to manage groups of young children and deal with challenging behaviour.
• Creative, flexible, and patient with a firm but kind personality.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Positive, can-do attitude with a sense of humour.
• Irish language proficiency required.

Reporting to the Dean, the Classroom Assistant delivers daily operational support across distance learning classrooms, including equipment setup, examination proctoring, and materials routing for enrolled students. Partnering with the Information Technology Consultant and on-site staff, the Classroom Assistant enables uninterrupted instructional delivery and maintains the security and compliance standards of the program.

Primary Duties

• Open rooms before classes begin and operate audio/video equipment, including LCD monitors, microphones, VCRs, DVDs, and remote controls.
• Answer student questions about basic operations of classroom audio/video equipment.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of audio/video equipment.
• Maintain order in the classroom and inform students of all site regulations, including prohibitions on disruptions, food, drink, and smoking.
• Load paper and toner in printers as needed.
• Process and route class materials including syllabi, homework, and tests.
• Proctor examinations and collect and log tests at the end of class.
• Maintain security and confidentiality of all student materials.
• Ensure class rosters are signed and properly completed.
• Close classrooms at the end of the day and promptly notify on-site staff of any problems.

Skills & Qualifications

• 1 or more years of experience working in an educational environment or equivalent.
• General understanding of computer usage on both PC and Mac platforms, including peripherals.
• Knowledge of audio/video equipment and systems.
• Knowledge of office procedures, general practices, and university policies and procedures.
• Experienced with presentation methods and software such as PowerPoint.
• Able to maintain a variety of office equipment for daily use.
• Punctual, reliable, and able to maintain scheduled hours.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills sufficient for a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Professional work ethic with the ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Friendly and courteous demeanor with the ability to respond to routine inquiries and resolve simple classroom-related problems.

Sitting at the intersection of instructional reinforcement and student welfare, the Classroom Assistant shapes daily classroom outcomes by working with individuals and small groups to reinforce teacher-introduced material, implement IEP goals, and train students in self-help skills. Operating across classrooms, school grounds, lunchrooms, and field trip settings, the Classroom Assistant delivers consistent support that enables certified personnel to focus on higher-order instruction.

Duties

• Work with individuals and small groups in the classroom to reinforce material introduced by the teacher.
• Serve as a model in developing students' language and behavior.
• Collect, prepare, and arrange resource material for use by certified personnel.
• Operate support equipment and monitor testing or make-up work by students.
• Maintain classroom records, prepare reports, score tests, process books, and manage supplies and classroom equipment as needed.
• Monitor student activities in classrooms, school grounds, hallways, lunchrooms, field trips, and bus loading areas.
• Provide support for non-instructional classroom duties such as monitoring snacks, restrooms, and clothing areas.
• Participate in teacher-parent conferences and meetings as requested by the classroom teacher.
• Reinforce the implementation of IEP goals using emphasis and techniques consistent with the classroom teacher.
• Train students in self-help skills including eating, toileting, hygiene, behavior management, and academic skills.
• Assist with custodial skills of students including lifting, positioning, and adaptive equipment maintenance using established procedures.
• Escort students to other locations on campus and off campus with the approval of the classroom teacher.

Requirements

• Knowledge of computer systems and general financial and legal requirements in an educational setting.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills required.
• Good interpersonal skills with diverse populations in person and by telephone.
• Flexible, organized, and skilled in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Able to meet deadlines, manage multiple projects, and coordinate the work of others.

A key member of the Lead Teacher's classroom team, the Classroom Assistant leads daily routines for children from arrival through departure, implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, conducting health checks, and maintaining portfolio documentation for each assigned child. Collaborating across teaching staff and reporting to the Lead Teacher and Site Supervisor, the Classroom Assistant builds the conditions for safe, nurturing early learning that meets NAEYC standards and Community Care Licensing requirements.

Functions

• Assist in planning, preparing, and implementing the daily curriculum as assigned by the Lead Teacher to meet the needs of children in the classroom.
• Assist in the Desired Results process by maintaining anecdotal notes for assigned children.
• Maintain an environment that is clean, sanitary, and free of safety hazards.
• Implement a developmentally appropriate daily schedule as assigned.
• Plan and prepare activities for the outdoor environment.
• Assist children in daily routines such as diapering, toilet training, handwashing, rest time, and mealtime in accordance with NAEYC standards.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in documenting children's attendance, absences, and meals.
• Conduct health checks at arrival and ensure children are actively engaged during transition times.
• Organize children's developmental progress using anecdotal records, photographs, and work samples for inclusion in portfolio assessments.
• Support children's problem-solving skills using age-appropriate language and techniques, including redirection and conflict resolution.
• Assist with opening and closing routines including preparation for current or next-day program activities.
• Maintain confidentiality of family and children's information in accordance with organizational policy.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 12 core units in Child Development from an accredited college or university required.
• 3 units in Infant/Toddler care required for assignment to an Infant/Toddler classroom.
• Active exemption-free status with Community Care Licensing required for the duration of employment.
• Current immunizations required, including influenza, pertussis, and measles, as well as a TB test and drug screening.
• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education, including Desired Results, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and Infant/Toddler Learning Foundations.
• Knowledge of appropriate health and safety standards for diapering, toilet learning, supervision, and food handling.
• Able to work with children with disabilities or challenging behaviors and with diverse populations.
• Proficient in reading and writing English at the level required for successful job performance.
• Responsible, empathetic, and sensitive to the needs of children.
• Willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs.

Effective preschool instruction depends on the Preschool Classroom Assistant, who delivers individualized instructional support, implements behavior management plans, and maintains accurate student performance records under the direction of the classroom teacher. Based within the preschool program and serving as a direct support to teaching staff, parents, and external constituents, the Preschool Classroom Assistant enables consistent, data-informed learning experiences for students from early childhood through grade three.

Accountabilities

• Implement instructional plans and programs for assigned students under the general direction of the classroom teacher.
• Adapt classroom materials and methods as appropriate to meet the needs of individual students in consultation with the classroom teacher.
• Assist with administering tests to individuals or small groups of students.
• Develop, compile, and organize appropriate instructional materials with teacher guidance.
• Implement behavior management plans for individual students.
• Supervise students when the teacher is absent from the room for short periods.
• Evaluate students' progress, problems, and needs and conduct task analysis on student performance.
• Record grades, correct papers, and gather data related to student performance.
• Attend and participate in required training sessions and professional growth activities, including CPR and First Aid.
• Process routine communications such as parent logs, permission slips, and staff meeting notes.
• Assist with special events, field trips, and related office tasks, including photocopying and ordering supplies.

Education & Experience

• Completion of a three-credit college course in child or human development, or equivalent approved coursework, accepted instead of the CDA.
• Completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course or equivalent afterschool essentials certificate accepted with qualifying experience.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent early childhood certificate required, with at least 12 months of experience working with children in grade 3 or younger.
• Knowledge of early childhood instructional strategies, behavior management, and developmental assessment.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage record-keeping and data collection accurately.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with students, parents, and support staff.
• Professional, reliable, and committed to ongoing participation in training and professional development.

As the Classroom Assistant, this role delivers structured pupil support across classroom and out-of-classroom settings, encompassing individual education programme implementation, behavioural guidance, and progress monitoring for pupils with a range of additional support needs. The wider school community relies on this work to maintain inclusive learning environments where every pupil can participate fully, develop social skills, and build motivation under the guidance of class teachers and specialist professionals.

Activities

• Support individual pupils and groups of pupils inside and outside the classroom to enable full participation in activities and provide for their social, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Assist in the implementation of individual education programmes for pupils and help monitor their progress.
• Support pupils with additional support needs, including emotional and behavioural difficulties, and help develop their social skills.
• Assist class teachers with maintaining pupil records and attendance.
• Prepare and present displays of pupils' work.
• Support class teachers with photocopying, laminating, scanning, and other tasks to support teaching.
• Comply with health and safety requirements, relevant legislation, and school policies.
• Attend team and staff meetings as required.
• Prepare materials and resources to facilitate effective learning.
• Promote independent learning and build pupils' motivation and self-esteem.
• Work with other professionals such as speech therapists and occupational therapists as necessary.
• Provide group or individual instruction as prescribed by the teacher, demonstrating instructional activities to aid learning.
• Monitor work assigned by the teacher, checking and correcting pupils' work while in progress.
• Praise and reinforce achievements of pupils and report progress to the teacher.
• Supervise pupils in classrooms and other locations within the school and address misbehaviour in line with school policy.

Technical Qualifications

• Passionate about teaching and committed to educating and nurturing children.
• Proficient in English, with Arabic language proficiency desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with parents in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Approachable, professional, calm, and knowledgeable in working with a range of stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism with genuine consideration for the well-being of children.
• Positive, solution-focused attitude with warmth, empathy, integrity, and child-centred values.
• Proactive in matters relating to health and safety.