Child Development Assistant Teacher

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University’s Center for Child Development is seeking a Child Development Assistant Teacher to support teachers in planning and leading activities for young children in an on-site setting at the Center for Child Development in Manhattan, Kansas.

Responsibilities include maintaining a safe environment, documenting progress, and communicating with families and staff while adhering to CCD policies. This role contributes to the quality of early childhood education on campus.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include high school diploma with required credentials and teaching experience or practicum in licensed center/preschool.
• Preferred qualifications include KDHE lead teacher eligibility, early childhood experience, and a CDA or associate’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers in designing, planning, and leading activities for children.
• Maintain a clean, safe classroom in line with CCD and state guidelines.
• Oversee staff/volunteers and monitor staff/child ratios.
• Record observations and collect work samples for child portfolios.
• Communicate with parents, staff, and administrators regarding children’s progress.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Relationship building

Flexibility

Education

CDA or associate’s degree in early childhood education

High school diploma + required credentials

Job description

About This Role

The School of Human Sciences, within the College of Health and Human Sciences, is seeking a Child Development Assistant Teacher to join their team at the Center for Child Development. This position is responsible for supporting teachers in designing, planning, and leading activities for children at the direction of, or in the absence of, the classroom teacher. Child Development Assistant Teachers ensure a clean and safe environment for all children in attendance and regularly communicate with teaching staff, parents, and administrators regarding issues that concern the children.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Intentionally implement a positive learning environment that adheres to NAEYC’s developmentally appropriate learning practices, both indoors and outdoors, that fosters development in motor, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and creative domains
• Assist teachers, as requested, in developing curriculum that fosters the children’s development in motor, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and creative domains
• Maintain orderly and sanitary conditions in the classroom in accordance with CCD, state, and national guidelines
• Oversee assigned classroom workers and volunteers, and monitor staff/child ratios at all times
• Complete maintenance requests as necessary for any repairs or improvements needed for indoor and outdoor environments
• Record observations and anecdotal notes to be used in a child’s assessment
• At the direction of teachers, collect photos and work samples to illustrate emerging abilities and activities of children to be used in child’s portfolio
• Assist in maintaining records of each child’s progress and experiences through individualized portfolios according to CCD policies and procedures
• Model collegiality and maintain confidentiality in and outside the classroom setting in regard to children, parents, staff, students, and volunteers

About Us

The Center for Child Development (CCD) serves as the clinical training site for students enrolled in the state-approved and nationally accredited undergraduate preservice teacher education program in early childhood education; provides quality childcare to K-State and the larger campus community; is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); is licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE); and meets high quality food service standards of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The College of Health and Human Sciences inspires and prepares passionate and caring individuals for a meaningful life and a career that promotes human well-being in the areas of business, design, teacher education, human behavior, and health sciences. Home to 16 undergraduate and 22 graduate degree programs housed in the Schools of Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Sciences, we provide students with the education and skills needed to make an impact in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Worksite Description

This position is on-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma and the following credentials:
  • Five sessions of observation for not less than two and one-half consecutive hours per observation in licensed preschools or childcare centers with one year teaching experience in a licensed center or preschool, or one year of supervised practicum in a licensed center or preschool, OR
  • Seven to nine semester hours of academic credit or equivalent training in child development or early childhood education and three months teaching experience in a licensed center or preschool, or one year of supervised practicum in a licensed center or preschool

Preferred Qualifications:

• Meet minimum requirements to be a “lead teacher” per KDHE regulations
• Experience in early childhood settings
• CDA or associate’s degree in early childhood education
• Ability to work under pressure and with distractions
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with children, parents, and peers
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule

Additional Role Information:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment
• Ability to pass a name-based and fingerprint background check, KDHE health assessment, and TB Test
• Ability to lift/move items up to 50 pounds unassisted on a repetitive basis
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time, stoop and bend throughout shift, and sit on floor
• Ability to work inside and outside under varying work and climatic conditions

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Application Window

Applications close on: November 17, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$12.27 - $17.78 per hour