Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Daycare

Software Placement Group, SPG; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A Birmingham, AL daycare center is seeking a dedicated Daycare-Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join its early childhood team, working under the supervision of a Licensed OT. The role supports infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in building fine motor, sensory, visual-motor, and self-help skills for daily play, routines, and early learning.

You will implement targeted interventions, support skill-building through play, and collaborate with teachers and staff to apply

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program.
• Active (or eligibility for) COTA license from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.
• Current NBCOT certification.
• Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Implement targeted occupational therapy interventions to support toddlers' and preschoolers' individualized developmental goals and early intervention plans.
• Support functional skill-building through play, including fine motor grasp, tool use, sensory regulation, self-feeding, dressing, and safely navigating play spaces.
• Collaborate with lead daycare teachers, early childhood aides, and support staff to implement sensory breaks, flexible seating modifications, and developmental accommodations during circle time and routine activities.
• Document child progress toward specific developmental milestones, log therapy sessions, and contribute data for progress updates and team meetings under OTR guidance.
• Assist with adaptive seating, floor-time support equipment, and assistive play devices tailored for infants, toddlers, and young children.
• Maintain warm, open communication with parents and caregivers to provide home activity ideas and reinforce daily developmental strategies.

Education

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program

Active (or eligibility for) COTA license from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy

Current NBCOT certification

Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Location: Birmingham, AL | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

An early childhood care center in Birmingham, AL is seeking a dedicated Daycare-Based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join its early childhood care team. Working under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR), this role supports infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in building the fine motor, sensory, visual-motor, and self-help skills necessary to participate fully in daily play, routines, and early learning environments.

What you'll do

• Implement targeted occupational therapy interventions to support toddlers' and preschoolers' individualized developmental goals and early intervention plans
• Support functional skill-building through play, including fine motor grasp, tool use (crayons, safety scissors, eating utensils), sensory regulation, self-feeding, dressing, and safely navigating play spaces
• Collaborate with lead daycare teachers, early childhood aides, and support staff to implement sensory breaks, flexible seating modifications, and developmental accommodations during circle time and routine activities
• Document child progress toward specific developmental milestones, log therapy sessions, and contribute data for progress updates and team meetings under OTR guidance
• Assist with adaptive seating, floor-time support equipment, and assistive play devices tailored for infants, toddlers, and young children
• Maintain warm, open communication with parents and caregivers to provide home activity ideas and reinforce daily developmental strategies

Required qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program
• Active (or eligibility for) COTA license from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy
• Current NBCOT certification
• Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, creative play-based problem-solving, and deep knowledge of early childhood developmental milestones

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience working with infants, toddlers, or early childhood pediatric populations preferred

Why this role

This position offers the opportunity to make a direct, positive impact on young children's growth and development within an early learning community in Birmingham.