School Floater

About the role

The School Floater is an important member of the school team who provides classroom coverage and support wherever needed. Floaters must be flexible, dependable, professional, and comfortable working with children of all age groups, from infants through Pre-K. A Floater may be assigned to different classrooms throughout the day based on staffing, breaks, ratios, and the needs of the school.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must meet all state childcare licensing requirements.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain.
• Must successfully complete required background checks and childcare training.
• Previous childcare experience preferred.
• Must be dependable, punctual, flexible, patient, and professional.
• Must be comfortable working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and Pre-K children.

Essential responsibilities

• Provide classroom coverage for teachers during breaks, lunches, planning periods, meetings, absences, and other staffing needs.
• Be willing to work in any classroom assigned by school administration.
• Maintain required teacher-to-child ratios at all times.
• Actively supervise children at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
• Engage and interact with children rather than simply observing them.
• Follow the classroom teacher's schedule, routines, lesson plans, and expectations.
• Assist with classroom activities, learning centers, art projects, meals, snacks, naps, playground time, and transitions.
• Change diapers and assist with toilet training when assigned to classrooms requiring these duties.
• Follow all diapering, handwashing, sanitation, food-safety, and health procedures.
• Help maintain clean, organized, and safe classrooms.
• Assist with cleaning tables, toys, classroom materials, changing areas, and other spaces as needed.
• Help prepare classrooms for meals, activities, nap time, transitions, and dismissal.
• Accurately complete required classroom documentation when responsible for doing so.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, unusual behavior, illness, or safety concerns to the appropriate teacher or administrator.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with children, parents, coworkers, and administrators.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and employees.

School-wide responsibilities

The Floater is a school employee, not an employee of one particular classroom. Therefore, the Floater is expected to assist wherever help is needed. This may include:

• Providing bathroom and classroom breaks for teachers.
• Helping classrooms during busy transitions.
• Assisting with meals and snacks.
• Helping with school events, parties, and special activities.
• Supporting arrival and dismissal procedures.
• Helping maintain common areas and school cleanliness.
• Assisting the front office or administration with reasonable school-related tasks when classroom coverage is not needed.
• Participating in staff meetings, professional development, school events, and required training.

When a Floater completes an assigned task, they should check with administration for their next assignment rather than remaining idle.

Professional expectations

• Report to work on time and maintain dependable attendance.
• Be prepared to move between classrooms throughout the day.
• Respond positively and professionally when reassigned.
• Work cooperatively with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, other Floaters, and administration.
• Follow directions provided by classroom teachers and school leadership.
• Accept constructive feedback professionally.
• Use positive guidance and redirection with children.
• Yelling, threatening, shaming, intimidating, or using inappropriate discipline with a child is prohibited.
• Maintain a calm and professional demeanor, even during stressful situations.
• Personal disagreements or frustrations must never interfere with the care of children or relationships with coworkers.
• Personal phone use should be limited according to school policy and should never interfere with supervision or job responsibilities.

Active supervision

Active supervision is one of the most important responsibilities of this position. The Floater must know which children are under their supervision and remain attentive to them at all times. This includes classrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bathrooms, meals, naps, and transitions. A Floater should never assume that another teacher is supervising a child without clearly communicating and confirming responsibility.

Physical requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Sit and interact with children at floor level.
• Frequently bend, kneel, squat, stand, walk, and move throughout the school.
• Lift and carry children when necessary and appropriate.
• Assist children during diapering, toileting, meals, and other daily routines.
• Safely supervise children indoors and outdoors.
• Respond quickly when a child needs assistance or when a safety concern arises.

Flexibility is an essential job requirement

The nature of the Floater position requires flexibility. Classroom assignments may change daily or throughout the same day depending on enrollment, staffing, teacher breaks, absences, and other operational needs. Employees accepting a Floater position understand that they may not always work with the same age group, teacher, classroom, or schedule. The expectation is to support the needs of the entire school while providing children with safe, nurturing, and high-quality care.