Center Support Assistant

JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM. ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being.

About the role

The Center Support Assistant provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe and loving environment where each child can develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the classroom as needed.
• Familiarize self with the day’s planned activities.
• Implement culturally sensitive educational activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child’s age and language in an individual or small group setting.
• Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment, using positive guidance techniques and upholding the ECS Discipline Policy.
• Develop nurturing relationships with each child which encourage his or her social and emotional development.
• Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards (NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF and Early Head Start).
• Follow policies and procedures regarding medical and dental emergencies, short-term exclusion of children, and the administration, handling and storing of medications.
• Ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
• Maintain sanitation & hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.
• Provide and encourage effective communication and relationships with families so that parents feel comfortable talking to staff about their children.
• Encourage parental involvement in all aspects of the program.
• Participate in family-style meals with the children, encouraging proper eating habits and conversation.
• Follow infants’ individual feeding schedules and hold infants who cannot sit independently while feeding (EHS).
• Communicate regularly with other staff in order to better serve children and families, including attending staff meetings, trainings, and sharing information.
• Maintain appropriate record keeping, including maintaining children’s portfolios as needed when regular staff are absent.

Kitchen (If applicable)

• Assemble and deliver breakfast, lunch, and/or snack on time to the classrooms.
• Maintain daily Temperature Tracking form.
• Coordinate maintenance of milk, formula, baby food and paper product stock.
• Wash all dishes (according to Health Department standards) daily.
• Turn in all Vendor Delivery Slips to supervisor at the end of each month.
• Clean and sanitize countertops, sinks, refrigerator(s), warmer(s), microwaves and floors.
• Discard trash and empty supply boxes daily.

Janitorial (If applicable)

• Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming them.
• Gather and empty trash.
• Regularly clean and maintain all bathrooms and public areas.
• Monitor building security and safety by performing such tasks as locking doors and checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
• Clear hallway of obstructions, observing fire codes and alerting staff and management of any possible safety hazards.
• Notify supervisor concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
• Maintain inventory of job-related supplies, such as toiletries and cleaning materials, and order more when needed.
• Maintain cleaning and kitchen supplies in a clean, organized and safe manner.
• Maintain janitorial equipment in a clean, safe and operable condition.
• Ensure proper labeling, dilution and use of all chemicals.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with DCF 45-hour training and CDA highly preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of child growth and development as well as developmentally appropriate practices for children ages birth to 5 years
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children
• Ability to exercise control and maintain appropriate classroom discipline
• Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity
• Ability to build and establish collaborative relationships with diverse staff & families
• Demonstrates proper use of grammar and communication skills
• Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education

Qualifications

• Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children. Renew every 2 years.
• Commence within ninety (90) days and complete within 1 year of employment the DCF required 45-hr training.
• Complete on-line Food Handlers Course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
• Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
• Complete a minimum of 25 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30.
• A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees.

Environmental Conditions

• Work involves constant visual supervision of children and tolerance of loud noise.
• Environment includes indoor classroom and outdoor playground.

Essential Physical Skills

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction).
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Pay

$16.59 - $18.37 per hour