Teacher Assistant, Early Head Start

About the role

Want to make a difference in a child’s life? Join CommUnify’s team by becoming an Early Head Start Teacher Assistant. The Teacher Assistant will assist classroom teachers in providing responsive care and education for children ages six weeks to thirty‑six months in an Agency Early Head Start center. The agency offers a positive work environment, work‑life balance, and excellent benefits.

Responsibilities

• Maintain 100% supervision of all children by sight and sound when in the teacher/child ratio.
• Consistently use positive child guidance methods.
• Assist caregivers in planning and carrying out curriculum for children ages twelve weeks to thirty‑six months.
• Assist children with toileting, diapering, feeding, and other physical care needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information about enrolled families.
• Meet regularly (daily/weekly) with caregiving staff to plan activities to meet children's needs.
• Attend and contribute to regular staff meetings and curriculum planning meetings.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary classroom environment.
• Help implement curriculum under teacher direction, including small‑group activities, field trips, mealtimes, and one‑on‑one activities.
• Assist with meal preparation, mealtimes, and clean‑up.
• Work with individual children or groups on assigned activities.
• Contribute to child observations and ongoing assessment.
• Assist children during indoor, outdoor, and field‑trip activities under caregiver supervision.
• Set up cots/mats for nap time and assist children during napping.
• Attend parent meetings and home visits when requested.
• Develop positive relationships with each child and with parents.
• Be aware of all center children with food allergies and ensure they receive doctor‑recommended substitutions.
• Be sensitive to children with special needs.
• Function as a positive team member; communicate effectively with families and co‑workers.
• Perform other comparable related duties as required.

Requirements

• Child Development Teacher Assistant Permit or higher from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Six (6) units in infant/toddler development required; new hires may complete after hire by enrolling in infant/toddler development coursework within three months of hire and must successfully complete six units within one year of hire.

Qualifications

• Obtain and maintain a current Child Development Permit for the position held.
• Obtain and maintain a Pediatric First Aid and CPR card.

Skills

• Knowledge of Internet software and word‑processing software.
• Experience working with children with disabilities desirable.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly desired.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Fully vested retirement plan with up to 5% employer match.
• Full‑time position with full benefits.
• $5,000 hiring incentive paid in two installments: $2,500 after 90 calendar days (sixth payroll) and $2,500 after 180 calendar days (twelfth payroll).

Pay

Starts at $19.00–$20.00 per hour, depending on the number of Early Childhood Education units completed.

Schedule

Full‑time position.