Center/ Bus Aide

About the Role

Join our team as a versatile Center/Bus Aide Substitute working under the guidance of our Education Specialist. This multifaceted role includes providing support in the classroom, ensuring playground safety, and fostering the health, safety, and school readiness of young learners. You may also contribute to transportation, kitchen operations, family services, and developmental specialties across multiple center locations.

• Compliance Champion: Adhere to all supervision, safety, and health policies and procedures.
• Watchful Guardian: Actively supervise and engage with children, ensuring their safety and well-being while collaborating closely with teachers.
• Nurturer of Growth: Foster a supportive environment where children develop and practice appropriate behaviors individually and in groups.
• Development Dynamo: Promote children’s physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and language development through culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Positivity Ambassador: Create a classroom environment defined by positive, warm, caring, and respectful interactions.
• Child Advocate: Demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to children’s emotional, physical, and educational needs, fostering freedom of expression and autonomy.
• Learning Enabler: Collaborate with teachers to engage children in activities and maintain a classroom with ongoing learning opportunities.
• Bilingual Promoter: Recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths and encourage practices supporting dual-language learners.
• Nature’s Educator: Encourage learning through interaction with nature and the natural environment.
• Supporting Inclusivity: Assist in implementing suitable learning activities for children with IFSPs and IEPs.
• Linguistic Role Model: Use proper grammar, maintain an appropriate voice level, and speak clearly.
• Hygiene & Cleanliness Advocate: Support classroom sanitation and cleaning schedules.
• Nutrition & Safety Enforcer: Strictly adhere to CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) rules, ensuring sanitation during mealtimes and following family-style meal service guidelines.
• Feedback Recipient: Be open to feedback and act on recommendations from supervisors, proactively seeking training or assistance when needed.
• Caregiving Support: Comfortably and safely assist with physical caregiving tasks, including lifting children, changing diapers, feeding infants with bottles, and sitting on the floor during activities or circle time.
• Center’s Backbone: Embrace additional responsibilities contributing to the center’s objectives.

About Us

At Centro de la Familia, we are dream builders. Our warm, vibrant environment cultivates curious minds, explores boundless possibilities, and creates lasting memories. We believe every child is a unique story waiting to be written, and we take pride in partnering with families as trusted allies in early learning and development.

We are deeply committed to supporting the growth and success of our staff. At Centro, you’re more than an employee—you’re part of a mission-driven family that values your voice, expertise, and well-being.

We have been dedicated to Community and Family Engagement since 1975, operating Head Start Programs since 1991, with experience managing programs in challenging, isolated, and underserved areas. Our curricula and programs are rooted in science, and we are committed to the professional growth of minority communities. Our team includes bilingual and bicultural staff to ensure inclusive and culturally sensitive care.

Benefits

• Great Pay & Benefits: Strong compensation and comprehensive benefits to support your health and financial well-being.
• Professional Growth: Access to continuous training, certifications, and clear career development opportunities.
• Supportive Mentorship: Work alongside experienced mentors and coaches invested in your success.
• Work-Life Harmony: A positive, respectful workplace valuing balance and healthy boundaries.
• Wellness & Inclusion: Thrive in a culture prioritizing wellness, connection, and a strong sense of belonging.
• Recognition & Appreciation: Your dedication is celebrated regularly.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Entry-level position open to candidates with or without prior education or experience; enthusiasm for working with children, including those with special needs and limited English proficiency, is essential.
• Physical demands include extended periods of walking, standing, kneeling, crouching, and the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Comfort with sitting on the floor, crawling, running, and performing tasks associated with caring for children aged 0-5.
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English is a plus.
• High school diploma or GED highly preferred; possessing a CDA (Childhood Development Associate) within the first six months or an AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field is advantageous.
• Must present current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handler’s permits or acquire them within 30 days of hire.