Multi-School Float Educator

At Yellow Brick Road, we’re on a mission to put good humans into the world and leave it better than we found it. Our team creates warm, inclusive, and joyful environments where children, families, and staff can thrive. If you’re energized by purpose, connection, and meaningful work, you’ll love being part of a community that invests in your growth and celebrates what makes you exceptional.

The Float Educator is a full-time, benefit-eligible team member guaranteed a minimum of 32 hours per week who supports multiple schools within the Des Moines Iowa region. Floats step in wherever they are needed most, covering Lead and Assistant Educator absences, open positions, and high-need classrooms, so that every child receives consistent, high-quality care and education. Guided by the Regional Director and each School Director, the Float Educator maintains a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment while following each classroom’s established routines and expectations.

This role is ideal for a flexible, adaptable educator who brings stability to classrooms, builds connections quickly, and embraces our core values at every school they serve.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Classroom Coverage & Continuity

• Fill in for Lead or Assistant Educators across schools in the assigned region, following provided lesson plans, classroom routines, and individual child care plans.
• Implement play-based, age-appropriate activities that support children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development, aligned with early learning standards.
• Provide consistency for children during staff absences, transitions, and vacancies, helping maintain a positive classroom culture that fosters belonging, safety, and curiosity.

2. Supervision, Health, & Safety

• Actively supervise and engage children at all times, maintaining required state ratios and group sizes.
• Follow Iowa child care licensing regulations, health and safety procedures, and Y  policies at each school.
• Report accidents, incidents, or suspected child abuse or neglect immediately as required by law and company policy.

3. Daily Care Routines & Classroom Environment

• Support children’s daily routines, including meals, rest time, diapering and toileting, transitions, and outdoor play.
• Foster a respectful, safe, and nurturing environment, modeling positive behaviors and guiding children with gentleness, consistency, and positive reinforcement.
• Partner with staff to maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and safety standards, including daily cleaning and sanitizing of toys, surfaces, and equipment.

4. Family Communication & Documentation

• Greet families warmly at drop-off and pick-up, supporting communication through the Lead Educator or School Director.
• Use the Parent Communication app to document daily needs, observations, and updates for families.
• Share relevant observations with classroom teams to support continuity of care and each child’s individual learning and development.

5. Regional Flexibility & Teamwork

• Report to assigned schools as scheduled by the Regional Director, adapting to daily or same-day changes in location, age group, and classroom assignment.
• Build positive working relationships with School Directors and educators across the region, quickly learning each school’s routines and expectations.
• When not assigned to cover a classroom, support schools as directed, which may include ratio support, breaks, classroom preparation, and onboarding support for new educators.

6. Professional Development

• Complete all required training and maintain state licensing requirements, embracing our core value of innovation.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
• Share ideas, resources, and best practices…