Center Support Assistant

About the role

ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that supports young children's development through various programs. The Center Support Assistant role focuses on creating a nurturing environment for children aged birth to 5 years.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the classroom as needed
• Familiarize self with the day’s planned activities
• Implement culturally sensitive educational activities
• Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment
• Develop nurturing relationships with each child
• Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards
• 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
• 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 responsibilities if applicable)
• Assemble and deliver breakfast, lunch, and/or snack on time to the classrooms
• Maintain daily Temperature Tracking form
• Cook and prepare meals according to recipes provided
• 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 responsibilities 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
• 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
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Able to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education
• Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children
• Renege 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

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 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
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Able to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education

Organizational Relationship

This position reports to the Center Manager.

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.

Background Requirements

A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust.

Pay

$16.59 - $18.37 per hour