St. Anne's Early Learning Center Assistant Teacher

About the role

St. Anne’s Early Learning (St. Anne’s Children & Family Center) is a high-quality childcare center providing early learning experiences for children of all faiths. A program of Catholic Charities, the curriculum is not faith-based and applicants do not need to be practicing Catholics. The center serves children ages 1 month through 6 years with highly educated, experienced staff committed to meeting and exceeding quality and educational standards.

The Assistant Teacher works closely with the Lead Teacher to support daily activities, learning experiences, and the well-being of children in care. This role requires a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young learners.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate activities and curriculum to foster children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Lead small group activities or one-on-one sessions to support individual children’s learning and growth.
• Set up and clean up activities, ensuring the classroom is organized and conducive to learning.
• Help maintain a positive and structured classroom environment where children feel safe, respected, and valued.
• Support the Lead Teacher in managing children’s behavior and guiding conflict resolution.
• Supervise children at all times, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with children, providing encouragement, support, and positive reinforcement.
• Observe and document children’s progress, assisting the Lead Teacher in tracking development.
• Encourage children’s participation in daily routines such as meals, clean-up, and nap time.
• Assist in maintaining open communication with parents about their child’s progress and any concerns.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences or meetings as needed, under the direction of the Lead Teacher.
• Work closely with the Lead Teacher, other assistants, and staff to create a cohesive, collaborative classroom environment.
• Participate in staff meetings and professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.
• Follow health, safety, and sanitation protocols to maintain a clean and safe classroom.
• Ensure children’s needs (diapering, bathroom breaks, nutrition) are met in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Perform as a team member to ensure productivity outcome measures are achieved.
• Attend staff meetings and designated in-service training.
• Use appropriate administrative, fiscal, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and security of client protected health information (PHI) per HIPAA regulations.
• Regularly utilize all forms of communication (email, text, phone) and database practices as directed by supervisor.
• As a mandated reporter, follow all procedures to report suspicion or confirmation of child or adult abuse/neglect to the proper agency.
• Adhere to the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Doctrine.
• Perform related functions necessary to support the mission and core values of Catholic Charities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Knowledge of child development and experience in child development centers.
• ECE Initial Certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the MERIT system; ECE Short Certificate; or Applied Associate of Arts (AAS) in early childhood education, child development, or related field (preferred).
• Previous experience in a childcare or preschool setting preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of child development and early childhood education principles.

Certificates & Licenses

• Ability to pass a Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) background check and register in the MERIT system.
• Completion of 30 hours STARS basic training required within six months of hire if education and/or experience does not substitute.
• Food Handler’s Certification, Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training, First Aid, and CPR required upon hire.
• Proof of MMR vaccination required upon hire.
• Must complete a tuberculosis test.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills with children, families, and team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively and take direction from the Lead Teacher.
• Patient, caring, and compassionate demeanor.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a busy environment.
• Basic knowledge of health and safety protocols for children.
• Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and internet software.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence; effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Mathematical ability: add, subtract, multiply, divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, percent; draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions; deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Problem-solving ability: identify/prevent problems, formulate alternative solutions, transfer learning from past experiences.
• Quality management: complete duties on time with precision (≥95%), edit accuracy of own and others’ work, apply feedback constructively, generate improvement ideas.
• Adaptability: adapt to changes/delays, manage competing demands, prioritize tasks, change approach to fit the situation.
• Analytical ability: maintain focus, complete research with resourcefulness, synthesize complex information, use intuition and experience.
• Attendance: consistently arrive and work as scheduled.
• Dependability: follow written and verbal instructions, respond to management direction, complete tasks on time or notify with alternate plan.
• Interpersonal skills: maintain satisfactory relationships, excellent customer service, understanding of appropriate human relations; awareness of and sensitivity to service population’s culture and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Judgment: make prudent, timely decisions; exhibit sound, accurate judgment; explain reasoning.
• Motor coordination: coordinate eyes, hands, fingers, feet accurately; handle precise movements.
• Reasoning ability: apply common sense to carry out instructions; deal with standardized situations.
• Supervisory skills: this position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Work is active in nature.
• Regularly lift/move up to 10 lbs; frequently lift/move up to 25 lbs; occasionally lift/move up to 60 lbs.
• Frequent kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, bending, lifting, and twisting.
• Frequent standing from sitting and/or kneeling position on floor.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Work performed equally in indoor temperature-controlled environment and outdoor uncontrolled elements.
• Frequent oral and auditory communication.
• Communication ability to understand instructions and recognize hazardous, unsafe, or poisonous materials/products.
• Occasional exposure to fumes, dust, odors, and/or biohazards.
• Frequent computer use and exposure to terminal screens.
• Frequ