Teacher Assistant-Floater

This position is a Teacher Assistant Floater role that travels between the Seguin and New Braunfels Head Start Centers.

About the Role

The Head Start Teacher Assistant-Floater assists Head Start Teachers in implementing the program in assigned classrooms, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and all state and local regulations. This year-round position provides care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years (both Early Head Start and Head Start) and supports a safe, stimulating learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Assists Teachers in maintaining a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness and reflects the cultures of all enrolled children, including those with special needs.
• Provides direct classroom support to maintain program ratios and ensure two teachers are present at all times; assists with breaks and other classroom needs.
• Ensures child safety through constant supervision, proper equipment maintenance, and regular practice of emergency procedures.
• Works with the Teacher to develop lesson plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, including small and large group activities.
• Assists in incorporating developmentally appropriate practices according to Head Start Performance Standards.
• Implements center routines, including hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitions between activities.
• Operates the classroom in compliance with childcare-licensing standards, prohibiting any form of physical punishment.
• Ensures classroom environments are stimulating, clean, and safe.
• Maintains proper documentation in children’s files, including Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) goals.
• Provides a variety of materials and activities to promote language/literacy, social-emotional, physical, math, science, and cognitive skills, including for children with special needs.
• Encourages self-expression, creativity, and positive guidance to promote self-esteem.
• Facilitates experiences that develop thinking skills such as generalizing, classifying, sorting, and problem-solving.
• Provides opportunities for children to develop appropriate relationships with others.
• Observes, records, and reports children’s behavior, sharing information with management for intervention or assistance.
• Assists with transition activities for children and families into, during, and out of Head Start.
• Joins children during meals, ensuring family-style meal service and encouraging healthy eating habits.
• Encourages family involvement and supports relationships between children and families through frequent communication.
• Assists with completing and submitting weekly lesson plans, including individualization for all children, and ensures age-appropriate activities.
• Assists Center Aides with duties such as laundry, cleaning, inventory, and meal delivery.
• Implements School Readiness Goals in the classroom to align with the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
• Assists with lunch breaks for classroom staff.
• Ensures completion of screenings and assessments to meet 45/90-day Head Start Performance Standards compliance.
• Reports suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline or a supervisor.
• Follows agency policies and procedures, maintaining confidentiality.
• Attends and participates in professional development trainings, meetings, and coaching sessions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must possess one of the following:
  • Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential (Birth to Five) or comparable certificate.
  • Enrollment in a program to obtain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education (ECE), with coursework focused on infant and toddler development.
  Individuals without a CDA must enroll in a CDA program within two years of hire.
• Prior experience working with children ages birth to five in a licensed childcare facility or similar setting preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Must be flexible and willing to travel between Seguin and New Braunfels centers to assist with care for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment criminal background check, health screening, TB test, drug test, and motor vehicle records check.
• Must pass regular criminal background checks and TB tests as required.
• Must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Texas Class ‘C’ Driver’s License, and have access to a reliable vehicle with current liability insurance.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Must be available to work Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM; schedules may vary based on business needs.

Skills

• Knowledge of federally funded childcare programs (e.g., Head Start) and Texas Minimum Standards for licensing preferred.
• Working knowledge of computers and basic to intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with diverse populations.
• Ability to analyze classroom effectiveness and make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to provide guidance to staff, maintain records, and prepare reports.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict management, and decision-making skills under pressure.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and families.
• Ability to adapt to frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to interact with children at their level (e.g., sitting on the floor).
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, walk, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, see, and use hands to handle objects or tools.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel

• Occasional travel within the service area for meetings, trainings, or conferences.
• Occasional out-of-state and overnight travel may be required.