Teaching Support Staff

Join Our Team at Child Roots NW - 1740 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97206

Are you an experienced early childhood educator looking to inspire young minds and build lasting connections? Do you believe in fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in children while working in a supportive, co-teaching environment?

Child Roots, a small family of locally and woman-owned childcare centers in Portland, Oregon, is seeking, Support Staff members for our Northwest location. Since 2007, our progressive, play-based schools have focused on guiding children's social and emotional development while encouraging exploration and inquiry. Our awe-inspiring classrooms are designed to provoke curiosity, but it is our teachers who make Child Roots truly outstanding.

About the Role
Support Staff at Child Roots works Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day (unless hired as an on-call Substitute), offering care and teaching for classrooms of children between the ages of zero to five years old at our NW and SE locations, and two to five years old at our Fremont location. All support staff roles are supported in the classroom directly by the direction of the Lead Teachers, while they are supported through coaching and learning opportunities via their direct managers.
Support Staff roles include:

• Assistant Teacher, working with a single classroom

• Break Support, working with multiple (2-3) classrooms

• (On-Call or Full-Time [FTE 1.0]) Substitute Teachers

This role is perfect for educators who:

• Value collaborative classroom environments that focus on child-led learning and inquiry.
• Have a strong understanding of child development and pedagogy theory.
• Are passionate about mentoring young learners and guiding them through social and emotional development.

Compensation & Benefits
At Child Roots, we value fair, predictable compensation. Support start at $23.16/hour, regardless of experience or education.
And receive:

• Standardized annual merit-based raises and annual PFA wage adjustments
• Long-term commitment bonuses to incentivize teachers to remain with their cohort

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
✅ Health & Vision Insurance – majority employer-paid
✅ Dental Insurance – majority employer-paid
✅ Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid
✅ 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous company match
✅ Paid Time Off – Including holidays, a weeklong Winter Break, and professional development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Provide care and educational support for the students.
• Foster a safe, engaging, and child-centered learning environment.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, ensuring clear and supportive communication.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications & Requirements
To be considered for a Teacher role at Child Roots, applicants must:

• Be a Step 4 or higher in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) system
• Be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry (or begin the process and complete it upon receiving confirmation)
• At least 2 years of experience in an ECE classroom setting.
• Meet the teacher-qualification criteria as outlined by the Office of Child Care requirements, which may include:
  • Previous experience in a structured childcare environment.
  • Completion of college-level courses in early childhood education-related subjects.
    • Degree in Early Childhood Education (or equivalent) preferred.
  • Complete Oregon’s Safety Set Trainings and required certifications:
    • Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course (hybrid or fully in-person)
    • Oregon Food Handler's Card (online course)
    • Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety (online course)
    • Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect (online course)
    • Prevention is Better than Treatment (online course)
    • Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants (online course)

Our Work Culture
At Child Roots, we believe that children are authentic, powerful individuals. Our mission is to guide their social and emotional development and to foster a sense of wonder about the world around them. We know that teaching is more than just meeting physical needs—it is about understanding each child’s unique experience and supporting…