Substitute Teacher

On-Call Substitutes support classroom operations at the Children’s Learning Center (CLC) by maintaining compliance with Michigan childcare licensing rules, ensuring child safety, and supporting continuity of care. Substitutes will be assigned based on qualification level and may function either as support staff or as classroom lead depending on credentials: Substitute Child Care Assistant, Substitute Assistant Teacher, or Substitute Lead Teacher.

About the role

• Assist in implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate, engaging activities approach to learning with children (High Scope curriculum preferred).
• Maintain standards of quality as required by State licensure, Great Start to Quality and NAEYC accreditation.
• Assist in maintaining accurate records of children's attendance, meal records, incident reports, medication for children, allergies, and sign-in/out sheets for parents.
• Participate in daily team planning meetings to create daily lesson plans and coordinate task responsibilities.
• Participate in Agency and program activities.
• Assist with daily documentation of children's interactions and play through anecdotal notes.
• Assist in the creation and implementation of children’s behavioral support plans as needed.
• Maintain the arrangement, appearance, and cleanliness of the learning environment.
• Supervise and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of each child.
• Participate in professional development opportunities as required by the Agency, licensing, and funding requirements.
• Incorporate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in work processes and job functions.
• Promote a feeling of welcoming, belonging, and acceptance to all clients and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to be physical and capable of successfully managing an early learning environment.
• Frequently required to sit and/or stand for 8 hours or more.
• Must have the ability to reach with hands and arms and occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications

Selected candidates must possess:

• Communication skills that focus on positive and professional communication with parents and children.
• Utilization of positive management techniques in the classroom.
• Abilities and skills in the team approach to problem solving and task completion.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Sensitivity to the diversity of the agency’s service population including (but not limited to) differences of culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

Requirements

Substitute Child Care Assistant

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current student in early childhood education OR Child Care Assistant (CCA)-level experience or equivalent exposure.
• Must work under direct supervision of a qualified Lead Caregiver or Site Supervisor.
• Preferred: CDA in progress; 0–2 years’ experience in licensed childcare; CPR/First Aid Certification.

Substitute Assistant Teacher

• Minimum 1–2 years in a licensed childcare setting.
• Must meet at least ONE of the following:
  • CDA credential with required training hours.
  • Associate’s degree or higher in early childhood or child-related field.
  • High school diploma/GED + required ECE coursework + documented experience hours.
• Prefer CPR/First Aid certification.

Substitute Lead Teacher

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in ECE or related field.
• Extensive classroom experience (2+ years preferred).
• Meets Lead Caregiver qualifications under Michigan rules.
• Prefer CPR/First Aid certification.

Schedule

On-call during the hours of 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday through Friday, based on your availability.

About Oakland Family Services

Oakland Family Services is a private, non-profit service organization serving our community and building brighter futures for more than 100 years. We proudly offer a continuum of prevention, education, and treatment services that span the human life cycle.

Our Mission: Providing individuals and families the opportunity to build brighter futures.

Our Vision: Communities of thriving individuals and families.

We enrich the lives of those we serve, strengthen families, and build brighter futures for those we serve and those we employ. We prioritize a healthy, inclusive, equitable, and effective workplace culture with twelve defined cultural value statements that dictate how we operate.

Benefits

• Named a Top Workplace for over ten years in a row, voted on by staff.
• Warm, engaging, equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
• Flexibility and work/life balance.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Open, honest, and transparent communication.
• Staff suggestion and recognition programs.
• Regular staff lunches, town halls, and events such as:
  • Staff recognition celebrations and luncheons.
  • Road rallies, seasonal parties, food truck lunches, ice cream days, surprise giveaways, spirit weeks.
  • Bring Your Child to Work Day, cook-off/bake-off contests.