Head Start Assistant Teacher

Position Summary:

Are you fun, creative, and enjoy working with young children? At Penfield, the Head Start Preschool Assistant teacher helps create a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. As a partner to the Head Start Preschool Teacher, you’ll assist with guiding hands-on activities, support social-emotional development, and build strong, trusting relationships with children and families. With patience, curiosity, and a warm presence each day the Head Start Preschool Assistant Teacher helps preschoolers navigate routines, explore new ideas, and grow with confidence. If you love being a part of a team that values compassion and collaboration, this is a place where you can make meaningful impact.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Head Start Preschool Teacher in maintaining full compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, WI DCF licensing, and accreditation requirements.
• Assist with all required documentation accurately and within federal program deadlines.
• Help implement classroom policies, procedures, and health/safety practices.
• Maintain family confidentiality and support the Head Start Preschool Teacher in sharing information about their child’s progress.
• Participate in required staff meetings, training, workshops, and parent events.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum, including small-group activities, learning centers, and hands-on experiences.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment, including refreshing learning centers and ensuring materials are sanitized and in good repair.
• Provide active supervision of children at all times and support positive social-emotional development.
• Support the Head Start Preschool Teacher with observations, attendance, meal counts, and other required classroom records.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, and coworkers to support a welcoming classroom community.
• Assist with routines such as meals, transitions, toileting, rest time, and outdoor play.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements for suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing classroom assignments and schedules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, or
• Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA), or
• Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA), or
• Enrollment in a CDA program with the ability to complete it within one year of hire, or
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood education or related field, including at least 12 college credits in early childhood education.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education or related field
• Level 9 or higher on the Wisconsin Registry
• A valid drivers’ license
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Experience working in an early childhood or Early Head Start setting

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of early childhood development for children ages 3-5 and the ability to support developmentally appropriate preschool learning experiences.
• The ability to support classroom routines and respond calmly and effectively to the spontaneous moments that occur in a preschool environment.
• Confidence managing both planned routines and the spontaneous moments that naturally happen in an infant/toddler classroom.
• Must have the ability to handle emergency situations with young children and families.
• Solid organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance documentation, communication, and classroom responsibilities.
• Basic comfort with technology, including email, internet use, data entry, and navigating databases.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bilingual (English & Spanish)
• Experience supporting diverse families and communities
• Familiarity with Head Start standards or WI DCF licensing

Physical Requirements:

• Must meet all required health and safety clearances in accordance with Penfield Children’s Center policy, including an annual flu vaccine and tuberculosis test.
• Move freely throughout the classroom and center, including standing, walking, bending kneeling, and sitting on the floor with children
• Assist children safely during transitions, outdoor and indoor play, and classroom activities.
• Occasionally maneuver classroom equipment or materials up to 50 pounds.
• Maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times; including during active play, outdoor activities, and transitions.
• Assist children with toileting, handwashing, meals, and hygiene as needed.
• Tolerate typical early childhood environmental conditions, including noise, frequent movement, and exposure to cleaning products used according to licensing and program standards.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.