Center Support Assistant

Episcopal Children's Services, Inc.; Gainesville, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Career development

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

ECS4Kids provides a warm, nurturing environment for children across Northeast and Central Florida, including Gainesville. The Center Support Assistant role supports daily activities, implements age-appropriate learning, and maintains safety and records within ECS4Kids' standards.

Responsibilities include assisting in classrooms, following the day’s plan, communicating with families, and upholding policy while contributing to a positive, educational environment in our center.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with DCF 45-hour training; CDA preferred.
• Knowledge of child growth and development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children.
• Ability to maintain records and communicate effectively with families.
• Ability to plan, organize work and participate in staff trainings.
• Willingness to learn and pursue ongoing education.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and manage behavior.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the classroom as needed.
• Implement developmentally appropriate activities in group settings.
• Maintain safety, supervision and health procedures.
• Develop nurturing relationships to support social and emotional development.
• Maintain portfolios and required records.
• Communicate with families and encourage parental involvement.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings.

Skills

Knowledge of child growth

Supportive environment

Classroom discipline

Curriculum implementation

Emotional development

Family communication

Grammar & communication

Safety procedures

Confidential information

Plan and organize

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma or GED with DCF 45-hour training

Job description

Description

JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM

ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.

ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Center Support Assistant provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe and loving environment where each child can develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills appropriately.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist in the classroom as needed.
2. Familiarize self with the day’s planned activities.
3. Implement culturally sensitive educational activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child’s age and language in an individual or small group setting.
4. Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment, using positive guidance techniques and upholding the ECS Discipline Policy.
5. Develop nurturing relationships with each child which encourage his or her social and emotional development.
6. Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards. (These may include those set forth by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF and Early Head Start.)
7. Follow policies and procedures regarding medical and dental emergencies, short-term exclusion of children, and the administration, handling and storing of medications.
8. Ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
9. Maintain sanitation & hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.
10. Provide and encourage effective communication and relationships with families so that parents feel comfortable talking to staff about their children.
11. Encourage parental involvement in all aspects of the program.
12. Participate in family-style meals with the children, encouraging proper eating habits and conversation.
13. Follow infants’ individual feeding schedules and hold infants who cannot sit independently while feeding (EHS).
14. Communicate regularly with other staff in order to better serve children and families, including attending staff meetings, trainings, and sharing information.
15. Maintain appropriate record keeping, including maintaining children’s portfolios as needed when regular staff are absent.

Kitchen (If applicable)

1. Assemble and deliver breakfast, lunch, and/or snack on time to the classrooms.
2. Maintain daily Temperature Tracking form.
3. Coordinate maintenance of milk, formula, baby food and paper product stock.
4. Wash all dishes (according to Health Department standards) daily.
5. Turn in all Vendor Delivery Slips to supervisor at the end of each month.
6. Clean and sanitize countertops, sinks, refrigerator(s), warmer(s), microwaves and floors.
7. Discard trash and empty supply boxes daily.

Janitorial (If applicable)

1. Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming them.
2. Gather and empty trash.
3. Regularly clean and maintain all bathrooms and public areas.
4. Monitor building security and safety by performing such tasks as locking doors and checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
5. Clear hallway of obstructions, observing fire codes and alerting staff and management of any possible safety hazards.
6. Notify supervisor concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
7. Maintain inventory of job-related supplies, such as toiletries and cleaning materials, and order more when needed.
8. Maintain cleaning and kitchen supplies in a clean, organized and safe manner.
9. Maintain janitorial equipment in a clean, safe and operable condition.
10. Ensure proper labeling, dilution and use of all chemicals.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

This position reports to the Center Manager.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED with DCF 45-hour training and CDA highly preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of child growth and development as well as developmentally appropriate practices for children ages birth to 5 years
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children
• Ability to exercise control and maintain appropriate classroom discipline
• Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity
• Ability to build and establish collaborative relationships with diverse staff & families
• Demonstrates proper use of grammar and communication skills
• Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Complete TB screening & physical before having direct contact with children. Renew every 2 years.
• Commence within ninety (90) days and complete within 1 year of employment the DCF required 45-hr training.
• Complete on-line Food Handlers Course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
• Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
• Complete a minimum of 25 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Work involves constant visual supervision of children and tolerance of loud noise
• Environment includes indoor classroom and outdoor playground

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

Background Requirements

A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust. To learn more about the system used to conduct these checks, you can use this link - https://info.flclearinghouse.com/