DeFord Early Learning Center Teacher Aide

DeFord Early Learning Center Teacher Aide

DeFord Early Learning Center
- Spencer, IN 47460

Position Type Full-Time/Part-Time Category Nonprofit
- Social Services

The Teacher Aide provides responsive, developmentally appropriate support for infants and toddlers through relationship-based, whole-child practices. This role assists Lead Teacher and classroom teams with daily routines, curriculum, and environment maintenance, including coverage during staff absences, breaks, and planning time. The Teacher Aide partners with families to reinforce learning and development, ensures compliance with State Child Care Licensing requirements, contributes to NAEYC accreditation efforts, and models SCCAP's commitment to empowering people to reach their potential in all interactions.

Safety & Supervision

• Ensures children are never left unattended and actively monitors the classroom to maintain a safe, secure environment.
• Provides responsive, respectful care during routines such as diapering, toileting, feeding, and comforting, honoring each child's autonomy and developmental needs.
• Implements individualized feeding plans and supports children in developing healthy attitudes toward food and eating.
• Reports suspected child abuse or neglect immediately in accordance with state law and SCCAP policy.

Teaching & Child Development

• Supports the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with children's emerging interests, individuality, and whole-person growth.
• Assists in setting up and maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment with materials and activities that support the curriculum and respond to children's goals, needs, and interests.
• Observes and documents children's development to inform intentional, relationship-based teaching practices.
• Supports individual and group learning activities, responding to children's skills, interests, and temperament.
• Assists with maintaining classroom cleanliness, including tidying, organizing materials, and performing light housekeeping tasks such as laundry and sanitizing surfaces.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintains accurate records of attendance, incidents, meals, and other required documentation.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in documenting observations and assessments of children to support individualized care and inform teaching practices.
• Follows all local, state, and federal policies, licensing regulations, and SCCAP procedures.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in maintaining classroom practices that align with SCCAP policies, Indiana Childcare Licensing requirements, and NAEYC accreditation standards.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Completion of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education may be encouraged

Required Skills & Abilities

• Must maintain the integrity of confidential employment, client, and business information.
• Must be philosophically aligned with SCCAP's mission and the Micro Center's approach to early learning, child development, and viewing children as whole, capable individuals.
• Ability to apply professional judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills to support safe, respectful, and intentional classroom practices.

Childcare Requirements

• Must successfully complete all state and federal background checks required for employment in licensed early childhood programs, including child abuse and neglect clearances.
• Must obtain a physical examination from a licensed healthcare provider, as required by Indiana childcare licensing regulations.
• Must complete a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 60 days of hire (training provided).

Physical & Mental Demands

Ability to use departmental equipment, tools, and materials.

Ability to exert physical effort in light to moderate work involving lifting (up to 50 pounds), carrying, pushing, and pulling; ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; ability to climb and balance, tasks require perception and discrimination. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Must be able to handle diverse work problems on a daily basis. Requires ability to set priorities and work schedule yet adjust to changes necessitated by last minute assignments and deadline requests that may prove stressful. A consistent pleasant attitude is necessary with personal maturity as an important attribute. Must relate and interact with people at all levels of the company and in a culturally diverse environment.

SCCAP is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. Contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations