Child Care Assistant

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama; On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking a dedicated Wraparound Classroom Assistant and Daytime Floater for the Early Learning Center. The role combines substitute teaching/caregiver duties during primary hours (8:00 am - 2:30 pm) with lead caregiver responsibilities in wraparound programs (7:00 - 8:00 am and/or 2:30 - 5:30 pm).

Responsibilities include supervising children, assisting with meals and potty training, supporting classroom activities, ensuring safety, and coordinating with

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• Willing to pursue CDA certification or 12 credit hours of Early Childhood coursework.
• At least 2 years of work experience in any field.
• Experience working with young children.
• Must be able to adhere to the assigned work schedule reliably and on time.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to meet DHR License-Exempt qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the safety of children at all times.
• Assist with feeding, diapering, and/or potty training; basic first aid.
• Lead or assist in wraparound programs according to schedule.
• Prepare activities and manage classroom resources.
• Communicate with families via Brightwheel and maintain a positive environment.
• Adhere to safety, sanitation, and licensing standards.
• Support inclusion of children with and without disabilities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Reliability

Experience with young children

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDA certification or 12 credit hours Early Childhood coursework

Associate's degree in Child Development or 12 hours Early Childhood Education (preferred)

Job description

Purpose of the Position

The Wraparound Classroom Assistant and Daytime Floater will function in two primary roles: 1) as a substitute teacher/caregiver during the UAH Early Learning Center's primary daytime program (8:00 am - 2:30 pm) when full-time teaching staff is absent, or providing extra assistance in classrooms when full-time staff is present, and 2) as the lead caregiver in a wraparound program classroom (7:00 - 8:00 am and/or 2:30 - 5:30 pm).

Position duties may involve feeding children, diapering, and/or assisting with potty training, administering basic first aid for injuries, and interacting with and ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, including those with special needs.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Physical Duties - 35%

• Maintain the safety of children at all times. This will involve walking, running, twisting, reaching, and pulling/pushing to respond to the needs of the children and the classroom. This will involve listening to and watching the children to maintain a safe environment. The individual will be required to routinely lift up to 50 pounds in caring for the children, depending upon the classroom assigned.
• Interact with the children during learning/free-choice time and gross motor time to facilitate children's play. This will involve squatting, crouching, stooping, bending, crawling, etc., to interact with the children.
• Adhere to all standards for licensed child care centers (safety/sanitation) and NAEYC accreditation guidelines. The individual will be required to perform some tasks involving repetitive motion, such as cleaning.
• Daily duties will include diaper changing, sterilizing/cleaning toys and equipment, assisting with children’s snacks/lunches/feeding, vacuuming/sweeping, mopping, laundry, washing dishes/utensils, and other general cleaning duties involving repetitive motion.

Daytime Support (8:00am - 2:30pm) - 20%

• Maintain an appropriate classroom environment with direction from the lead teacher or teacher's assistant.
• Assist the lead teacher or teacher's assistant in the preparation and implementation of classroom activities.
• Assist in the management and organization of center resources.

Wraparound Program Support - 10%

• Ensure maintenance of an appropriate classroom environment at all times.
• Direct on-call workers and/or student workers assisting in the classroom.
• Work with the Lead Child Care Assistant to develop and implement lesson plans for your classroom for the wraparound program hours.
• Work with Lead Child Care Assistant to prepare activity kits for your classroom for the wraparound program hours as necessary.
• Ensure after-school snacks for your classroom are prepared and ready for distribution.
• Ensure all snacks given are safe and appropriate, given specific allergy or dietary concerns of children in your classroom.

General Instructional Duties - 10%

• Interact frequently & positively with all children.
• Encourage language and independent functioning using positive reinforcement.
• Maintain communication with families via telephone calls and Brightwheel.

Specialized Educational Duties - 10%

• Facilitate integration of children with and without disabilities in the classroom.
• Utilize technology and adaptive equipment as appropriate.

Performance Expectations - 5%

• Follow policies & procedures of the UAH Early Learning Center.
• Treat colleagues with respect; willingly communicate with team members; display a positive attitude; maintain confidentiality; keep the director and the lead teacher informed of special needs or problems of children or parents.
• Treat parents with respect; direct parent concerns to the director and lead teacher; make parents feel welcome.
• Perform routine duties and responsibilities on time; take initiative in recognizing what needs to be done and do it.
• Arrive on time for work, maintain good attendance; request leave following set policies and within the required amount of time (unless in an emergency situation).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• Must be willing to pursue either CDA certification or 12 credit hours of Early Childhood coursework.
• At least 2 years of work experience in any field.
• Experience working with young children.
• Must be able to adhere to the assigned work schedule reliably and on time.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to meet DHR License-Exempt qualifications.

Desired Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Child Development or 12 hours of equivalent training in Early Childhood Education is preferred.
• Knowledge of infant or child CPR and First Aid is desired.
• Knowledge of DHR minimum standards for daycares is preferred.

Published Salary (if available)

$28,000 - $31,900 ($23,728 budgeted)

Advertised: Nov 04 2026 Central Standard Time
Applications close:

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.