Assistant Teacher

Summary: An Assistant teacher shares the responsibility with his/her co-assistant teacher for setting up and maintaining
a safe, nurturing environment for children, combined with a developmental program which permits each child to grow and
explore and develop a sense of well-being. The program should meet the emotional, physical, intellectual and social
needs of the children as individuals and as a group. Classroom and outdoor experiences should include creative art
activities, dramatic play, stories, conversation, and discussion, block construction, table activities, music and movement,
exploration with science and nature materials, cooking, development of physical coordination and skill; and, in response to
children’s interests, informal experiences with language, numbers, space, and time. All of this is to be balanced with
quiet, reflective, restful moments.
Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Live by our Core Values: Family, Excellence, Kindness, Fun
2. Greet children and parents/guardians in a professional, enthusiastic, warm, friendly and sincere manner each day.
3. Works cooperatively in a classroom and on the playground with other staff
4. Study and know all state regulations.
5. Ensure daycare is in full compliance with all state safety, fire, educational staffing and other regulations.
6. Prepare, execute and discuss infant feeding routines with parents/guardians to meet individual needs.
7. Adhere to appropriate diapering procedures at all times to include assuring cleanliness of work areas and proper
disposal of diapers.
8. Assist with a nap time routine to include creating a relaxing environment.
9. Maintain written documentation of each child's daily activities to include diapering, feeding and sleeping habits,
and forward reports to parents/guardians.
10. Be aware of and follow Infant Feeding Policy.
11. Ensure that each child is fed, changed, nurtured and naps, according to Over the Rainbow’s written schedule.
12. Lift, carry, and hold children.
13. Maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times to ensure their safety in the classroom,
playground, and on field trips.
14. Stand and walk around the classroom or playground regularly to observe children in play, facilitate learning, and
ensure the safety of children.
15. Stoop, crawl, kneel and bend in order to speak to children at the child’s eye level, to play with children, and to pick
up toys and equipment on the floor.
16. Push and pull children on play equipment, strollers, and playground equipment.
17. Using the checklist provided, check classroom, hallways, grounds, and the playground for maintenance or
security hazards and notify the appropriate supervisor of any concerns.
18. Check children’s medication/topical forms and make sure forms posted in each room are up to date (make sure to
complete them when using topicals.)
19. Follow Infant Sleep Arrangement Policy, have a good understanding of SIDs and regularly take preventative
measures to protect infants through 12 months.
20. Observe the development of the group of children assigned to his/her care, document the development, and
develop activities for children based on the observations.
21. Read and understand a developmentally appropriate curriculum, resource materials, and training manuals.
22. Contributes information and ideas to be included in the curriculum and/or writes curriculum according to company
guidelines.
23. Assists teaching staff in the implementation of the curriculum and occasionally implements curriculum alone.
These duties include room arrangement, meeting basic needs, serving snacks and meals, and learning activities.
24. Write personal notes, anecdotal comments, anecdotal records, incident reports and other correspondence
concerning children assigned to his/her care as specified in the teacher’s manual.
25. Communicates continuously with children, parents, and center staff on issues relating to the children’s
social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development as well as the safety, health and well-being of
children in care.
26. Follow center policies, procedures, goals and objectives.
27. Follow and enforce all emergency policies.
28. Use appropriate and positive discipline as outlined in the parent handbook and staff manual.
29. Maintain classroom and playground areas in a sanitary and attractive manner to include sanitizing high chairs,
tables, microwave, kitchen countertops and sinks after feedings and at the end of each day.
30. Perform daily and weekly cleaning duties according to cleaning checklist(s).
31. Maintain professional development requirements.
32. Attend required staff meetings and training sessions.
33. Develop cooperative, professional relationships with administrative staff and consultants.
34. Conduct ongoing discussions with the Director/Assistant Director regarding daily programs and individual children.
35. Some travel may be required to other OTR locations.
36. Perform additional duties as requested by the Center Director or designated supervisor.