2026-2027 Daycare Paraprofessional

Dodge City Public Schools/USD 443; Dodge City (KS); On-site; USD 42,706,000 - 50,971,000; Full time

Job summary

Dodge City Public Schools/USD 443 is seeking a childcare assistant to support lead teachers and supervise students when the professional in charge is absent.

Requirements include a CDA credential or willingness to obtain, CPR/First Aid certification or willingness, and basic clerical skills. Starting pay is $14.91 per hour. This on-site position offers collaboration with staff and families and opportunities for training and growth.

Qualifications

• Child Development Associate credential or willingness to obtain.
• Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Preferred, 1 year teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or equivalent.
• CDA or commitment to ongoing career improvement.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow instructions without close supervision.
• Clerical and basic administrative skills are helpful.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing learning experiences using curriculum materials and resources.
• Manage daily classroom activities in compliance with standards and licensing.
• Support infant/toddler development with choices and independence.
• Develop each child’s self-worth and community roles.
• Communicate regularly with parents.
• Participate in program and professional growth activities.
• Support early childhood development values and adapt to change productively.
• React to change productively.

Skills

Teaching experience

Confidentiality

Follow instructions

Clerical skills

Education

CDA credential or willingness to obtain

Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain

CDA commitment to career improvement

Job description

• Provide assistance to professional employee in charge.
• Provide student supervision in the absence of the professional employee in charge.

Starting Pay Range: $14.91 Hourly

Purpose

• Provide assistance to professional employee in charge.
• Provide student supervision in the absence of the professional employee in charge.

Qualifications

• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or willingness to obtain.
• Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain.
• Preferred, 1 year of teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or an equivalent experience
• CDA or a commitment and understanding for the need to continue career improvement
• The ability to keep information confidential
• The ability to follow written or spoken instructions without close supervision
• Clerical and or tutorial skills required; basic administrative skills helpful

Essential Functions

• Assist in providing learning experiences designed for individual as well as group needs using program curriculum materials and various supplemental resources.
• Manage daily classroom activities in compliance with Performance Standards and State Licensing requirements.
• Nurture the individuality of infants and toddlers by giving them choices and by providing opportunities for them to do things for themselves.
• Develop in each child an awareness of his worth as an individual and his role in his family and community.
• Communicate regularly with parents.
• Be an active participant in both program and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Support the value of early childhood development.
• React to change productively.

General Responsibilities

• Prepare materials for activities and bulletin boards independently as directed by the Lead Teacher.
• Keep classroom clean and orderly at all times.
• Assist students with academic comprehension in small groups or one-on-one.
• Assist students at lunch and snack times if assigned.
• Relate well with children and provide a good role model.
• Assist the students in projects and activities as needed while allowing them to begin and complete projects with growing independence.
• Help maintain classroom control consistent with the Lead Teachers direction and program policies.
• Communicate closely with co-workers on a day to day basis.
• Provide coverage to insure all teaching staff get breaks as closely to schedule as is possible
• Assist with student screening, assessment, and individual learning plans, if necessary.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions and workshops as required.
• Record any conversations with parents on a contact sheet.
• Obtain approval of the lead teacher for all activities and expenditures.
• Encourage and facilitate child-initiated activities.
• Attend training yearly as outlined by supervisor.
• Assume lead teacher's responsibilities when necessary.
• Maintain confidentially.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Any oral or written statements or promises to the contrary are hereby expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employees. This job description is subject to change by the employer Dodge City Public Schools at the discretion of the employer, or as the needs of the employer and/or requirement of the job change. The Dodge City Public School District explicitly reserves the right to modify any of the provision of this job description at any time and without notice. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or essential function does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Dodge City Public Schools is equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.