Head Start Assistant Teacher

Kids for the Future; Grinnell (IA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Head Start Assistant Teacher 1,2,3 in Grinnell reports to Lead Teacher and supports a positive, safe learning environment for children and families. The role emphasizes teamwork, parent engagement and adherence to Head Start standards, with duties across classrooms and events.

Candidates must meet education requirements (HS diploma, CDA or higher) and enroll in further ECE studies within 2 years. The position is full-time, non-exempt, with a pay range aligned to state standards.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and speak English proficiently.
• Commitment to confidentiality and positive interaction with families.
• Supportive classroom teamwork and adherence to program standards.
• Enrollment in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in ECE or CDA within 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive relationships with children, families, staff and community partners.
• Develop learning experiences aligned with curriculum and standards.
• Implement and monitor activities to meet child learning goals.
• Provide safe, supervised educational setting and promote parent engagement.
• Attend events, support classroom operations and manage basic materials.

Skills

Reading English

Writing English

Speaking English

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Strong observation skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDA credential

2/4 year degree in Early Childhood

Related 4 year degree with CDA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Base Pay $16.52 - $18.49 / Hour


• Job Category Early Childhood Programs


• Employee Type Full Time Non-Exempt

Contact information

Description

TITLE: Head Start Assistant Teacher 1, 2, 3

Reports to: Lead Teacher

Job Summary

Contribute to the mission and vision of MICA by creating a positive, respectful, and safe environment when working with children, families and agency and community partners. Build and maintain positive relationships with children, families, program staff, and agency and community partners as needed to provide excellent services. Must be able to present MICA in a positive manner and maintain positive interaction with families and staff. Work and promote a team environment. Supports MICA’s mission, vision, values, Ways of Working, and Whole Family Approach.

Provide a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for children. Encourage parent engagement in all aspects of the program. This position must perform regular duties at the assigned worksite.

Essential Job Functions

Build and maintain positive relationships with children, families, program staff, and agency and community partners as needed to provide excellent services. General philosophical agreement with the agency mission, commit to the concept of diversity and inherent worth of every individual. Supervisor will provide guidance about specific tasks required of this position for completion on daily, monthly or quarterly cycles.

Contribute to and participate in an effective classroom teaching team

• Attend and assist with events for families and other county team activities as determined by county teams


• Develop and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and the Iowa Early Learning Standards to meet each child’s individual needs, interests, learning styles, and individual goals that are compatible with the child’s family culture

• Ensure the assigned curriculum is implemented with fidelity and support skills development in the areas of Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy, Cognition, and Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development


• Develop positive and nurturing relationships with children


• Engage in positive caregiving routines with children


• Interact and engage with children through conversations and facilitating activities in English

• Maintain a socially and emotionally safe and supportive climate in the classroom using Conscious Discipline practices and PBIS supports. Use Safety First strategies when appropriate

• Must maintain confidentiality of information about children and families at all times

• Maintain the safety and welfare of children at all times


• Must be able to identify and recognize children and to observe them in their daily environments in order to assure their safety at all times


• Assist in maintaining and arrange the equipment and materials in an appropriate, safe, healthy and orderly fashion in the classroom, on the playground and on field trips


• Must be able to assist all children in all emergency and disaster drills and situations

• Must be able to push and control an occupied wheelchair

• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certifications, bi-annually thereafter

• This position is a Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Staff who work in centers that serve infants will be required to have a Tdap immunization per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations

• Must take on the role of the Lead Teacher in their absence

Compliance

• Conduct child observations and enter into child assessment system


• Complete and submit all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and according to agency standards


• Maintain the program’s CLASS minimum thresholds in all domains

Develop skills and knowledge related to the position

• Must enroll in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education or enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) Preschool credential program through the Council for Professional Recognition to be completed within 2 years of hire


• Must be able to learn and adhere to extensive number of Head Start Performance Standards, Department of Human Services’ child care licensing regulations, and, as appropriate, NAEYC standards


• Attend all trainings as required


• Negotiate PDP with supervisor


• Implement action plans to meet compliance, program practices, and professional development expectations


• Complete and maintain certifications as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language; able to speak in other proficient language


• Dedicate to continuous learning


• Committed to the inherent worth of every individual


• Strong child observations and assessment skills


• Strong teamwork skills. Able to collaborate in a positive and respectful way with families, agency co-workers and community partners


• Strong commitment to achieving results


• Knowledge of early childhood development


• Must be able to maintain confidentiality


• Intermediate computer skills. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office. Must be able to learn and effectively use a variety of software, electronic devices and databases

Working Conditions (Essential physical, mental and emotional demands)

The 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.

• This is a full-time non-exempt position, typically a 36-hour week. Must be able to work assigned schedule. Occasional overtime required


• Must be able to navigate stairs to access some classrooms


• Must be able to maintain a calm, composed demeanor in a highly active physical, social and emotional environment


• Must be able to move about in indoor and outdoor environments to appropriately monitor and interact with the children


• Must understand and appreciate the development of young children and be able to use appropriate guidance techniques at all times


• The person in this position frequently communicates with children, parents and colleagues, both one-on-one and in larger groups. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.


• The person in this position occasionally drives to pick up food or run other errands for the classroom


• Must have and maintain reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance


• The person in this position occasionally lifts, carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 40 pounds when stocking supplies or setting up equipment


• Must have a pre-employment physical examination, and every three years thereafter, to prove ability to perform work duties.


• The physical exam must include any necessary testing for communicable diseases, including a TB assessment as required by the Iowa Department of Human Services Child Care Licensure standards.

Education and Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent

OR

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential appropriate for the age group with which they will be working

OR

• 2 year or 4 year degree in Early Childhood or Child Development

OR

• Related 4 year degree AND a Child Development Associate Credential for the appropriate classroom age group

Preferred:

• Applicants enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education AND experience working with children 0-5 years of age

Head Start Assistant Teachers (1, 2, or 3) at the Grinnell, Hope 1 and 2, and Nevada Head Start sites may be required to perform food duties in classrooms as a regular part of the job.

• Prepares and/or serves meals according to CACFP Standards using approved menus and recipes.


• Utilizes portion specifications and product specifications.


• Substitutes and/or alters the menu, in consultation with program registered dietitian, to provide for children’s individual needs, including developmental needs, allergies, appropriate textures, and other as needed.


• Responsible for emergency food supplies for each classroom.


• Assists teaching staff in classroom preparation and clean-up before and after meals.


• Supervises and assists children in setting the table and clean up as directed by Lead Teacher.


• Eats with children


• Washes and sanitizes kitchen, dishes, equipment, utensils, counters, tables and food carts to comply with state Health Department Standards and to prevent food-borne illness.


• Utilizes the re-cycling program.


• Properly complete and assemble food records each day.


• Receive and verify all supply deliveries against invoices.


• Must maintain strict confidentiality at all times

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes required for these additional duties are:

• Must possess and demonstrate knowledge of sanitary methods.


• Must possess and demonstrate knowledge of food preparation methods.


• Must possess and demonstrate food safety techniques, knowledge and skills.


• Ability to perform basic mathematics as related to calculating or converting units of measure to determine proper amounts of food ingredients for mass food production.

All Candidates offered the position must meet the following criteria

• Minimum age requirement of 18 per NAEYC and/or DHS licensing standards


• Successful completion of all background checks at hire and thereafter according to agency and program standards


• The person in this position will be required to either have a CDA or to be enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program through the Council for Professional Recognition to be completed within 2 years of hire

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional information

Program

Early Childhood

Management? (Yes/No)

No

Generic title

HS Assistant Teacher 1,2,3

FLSA status

Hourly/Non-exempt

Pay grade

A

Revised

September 2025

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Requirements

Education and Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent

OR

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential appropriate for the age group with which they will be working

OR

• 2 year or 4 year degree in Early Childhood or Child Development

OR

• Related 4 year degree AND a Child Development Associate Credential for the appropriate classroom age group

Preferred:

• Applicants enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education AND experience working with children 0-5 years of age

Summary

If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a difference every day in the lives of children ages 3 to 5, then join our dedicated teaching team! Help children learn new shapes, colors, numbers, and more while developing important social skills they need to succeed at home, school and in the community.

We offer an excellent benefit package including paid holidays, generous paid time off, and medical, dental and vision insurance. We provide ongoing training opportunities, including assistance in completing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential during work hours. Educational opportunities are available through our partnerships with Iowa AEYC TEACH Program and Buena Vista University.

Position is full-time, 36 daytime hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 months per year.