ECE Child Care Teacher Assistant

NWIFC
NWIFC

Washington, USA

Posted on Jul 24, 2026

NOOKSACK INDIAN TRIBE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Child Care Teacher Assistant

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports To: Lead Teacher

Job Status: Hourly- Non-Exempt

Type: Regular Full Time

Grade: A

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Lead Teacher and in partnership with the Program Manager, this position assists with the supervision, teaching of, and interaction with students in the classroom, playground, and during field trips or any other activity. Teacher Assistants will assist with the health & safety of the children, prepare materials, set up classroom, clean up after the children on a daily basis, and assist in planning activities when requested by the Lead Teacher.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Responsibilities:

  1. Assists in supervising up to 20 students with at least one or two other staff in the infant, toddler or preschool classroom.
  2. Assists Lead Teacher in preparing for daily activities, planning and implementing lessons for the following weeks.
  3. Assists in setting up and maintaining order in the large and small motor areas.
  4. Conducts a thorough cleaning of all play and work areas.
  5. Serves as a positive role model to children by displaying appropriate behavior and offers guidance and assistant in resolving conflicts, and instruction in age-appropriate behavior within the guidelines of the program.
  6. Interacts with children in ways that encourages language opportunities such as asking open-ended questions, reading, labeling their artwork, and participating in their dramatic play.
  7. Assists in supervising, teaching, interacting, guiding, and observing children during all aspects of the daily schedule.
  8. Interacts and assists in teaching children during large group, language lessons, Behavioral Health, small group, mealtime, and outside time. Sits on the circle time rug during circle time to assist children with difficulties.
  9. Reports to Lead Teacher ongoing development and concerns by accessing and observing children.
  10. Is aware of children’s allergies or health issues and assists in ensuring health plans are followed.
  11. Follows health and safety policy and procedures.
  12. Ensures the first aid kit backpack is properly stocked with supplies and available during field trips, outside play, and emergency drills.
  13. Assists the children with tooth brushing and self-help skills.
  14. Observes and reports individual children’s significant behavior, injuries, and incidents using the Incident or Accident Report forms.
  15. Assists Lead Teacher with attendance, health checks, meal counts, planning, screenings, and observations, as requested.
  16. Directly supervise infants/toddlers/preschoolers by sight or hearing at all times, even when children are in sleeping areas.
  17. Follows diapering procedures during diaper change and documents on the Diaper Log.
  18. Supervises children using the bathroom while maintaining classroom staff/child ratio; assists children with self-help skills.
  19. Present in assigned classroom at all times and clearly communicates with the Lead Teacher regarding whereabouts and breaks if leaving the classroom for any reason.

Meal Time Responsibilities:

  1. Encourages good personal hygiene by practicing proper hand washing before and after meals.
  2. Sits with children during meals and role model and actively engages them in age-appropriate conversation.
  3. Sets tables with students; teaches children how to set tables for snacks and mealtimes.
  4. Teaches children how to serve themselves and how to pour milk and water or other beverages served.
  5. Helps children clean up their plates after meal and snack time (scraping plates, emptying cups, stacking dishes, and pushing in chairs).
  6. Encourages children to try new foods and uses mealtime as an opportunity to teach children about nutrition.
  7. Cleans tables before and after meals using a three-step procedure with soap, water, and bleach solution. Follows Kitchen staff instructions for mealtime cleanup of food and used dishes.
  8. Checks for safety hazards. Aware at all times of food or spills on the floor and cleans up immediately.
  9. Is aware of specific food allergies and health issues. Children with food allergies will have a doctor’s order and it will be posted in the kitchen and the classroom. Check meals served to children with food allergies to ensure the cook has prepared appropriate food.

Outdoor Learning Environment Responsibilities:

  1. Checks for safety hazards, such as garbage, animals, open gates, damage to fence, damage to play equipment, animal waste, and unsafe vegetation and holes in play area.
  2. Ensures children riding bikes are wearing a helmet that is properly fitted to them anytime they are on a bike.
  3. Informs Lead Teacher or Program Management when playground and/or playground equipment needs repair to request a Maintenance Work Order.
  4. Ensures tricycles are put away every day. Checks for damage and reports to Lead Teacher.
  5. Ensures Grab and Go backpack is taken on the playground and is aware of its location.
  6. Assists in supervising the children’s activities during outdoor time, constantly monitoring and interacting with students.

Other Responsibilities:

  1. Willing to attend training, workshops, conferences, and or classes. Some training may occur after hours and may require travel for more than one day, and may last longer than a normal workday.
  2. Meets with Teaching Team as needed to discuss strategies on supporting children’s needs. Attends program staff meetings as assigned.
  3. Must sign Confidentiality Policy and maintains strict confidentiality of child, parent, and staff information at all times.
  4. Works evenings up to once a month as needed for program activities.
  5. Follows Nooksack Tribe and Early Childhood policy and procedures, including cell phone use, attendance and punctuality, visitors, food and beverages in classrooms, chain of command, personal appearance and dress attire, confidentiality, and social media.
  6. Maintains excellent attendance and punctuality. Calls in at least 30 minutes before shift start time if you will be late or absent.
  7. Is familiar with licensing and/or performance standards for the Early Childhood program.
  8. Is respectful when communicating and interacting with coworkers, supervisors, and families.

OTHER DUTIES:

The Tribe is committed to community service and the well-being of its members. Therefore, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

PREFERENCE:

  • Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING FOR THE POSITION:

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Must be 18 years or older

OR

  • Must be able and willing to enroll in an Early Childhood Associates Degree program upon hire.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must pass alcohol/drug test upon job offer and throughout employment.
  • This position requires regular contact with or control over children and is therefore subject to an extensive Criminal Background Check, including fingerprinting, at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
  • Complete any required medical tests and vaccinations as required by regulations that govern the program such as TB Test, and COVID-19 Vaccination.
  • Must pass an initial health examination and pass a re-examination every two years as recommended by their health care provider in accordance with tribal, state, or local requirements that includes screeners or tests for communicable diseases, as appropriate.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).
  • Obtain and maintain Infant, Child & Adult First Aid & CPR Certified, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire.
  • Obtain and maintain Food Handler’s Permit, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire.
  • Bloodborne Pathogens Training, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire and periodically thereafter as required of the program.
  • Child abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, completed no later than first available training offered upon hire and periodically thereafter as required of the program.
  • Must complete fire extinguisher training no later than first available training offered upon hire, and annually thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):

  • This position may be required to work varying, 8-hour shift during the standard program operation hours which are 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, (occasionally may have to work evenings for special events).
  • Be able to stand, walk, sit, twist, bend/stoop, squat/kneel, crawl, move quickly, and reach on a daily basis.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision with or without corrective lenses, as well as peripheral vision and depth perception.
  • Willing and able to interact with children at their level (i.e. sitting on the floor)
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods and frequently required to talk and listen.
  • Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard and telephone system
  • Ability to lift up to 40+ pounds without assistance occasionally.
  • Read, write, speak and understand English
  • Ability to listen, understands customers, and has the ability to translate rules, regulations, and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems.
  • Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
  • May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.

DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION

The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.

  • Ability to work in a Native American community.
  • Ability to maintain health and safety standards.
  • Must adhere to the Confidentiality Policy and statement must be signed.
  • Must be culturally sensitive.

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however the Tribe is an employer at-will therefore you may terminate the employment relationship at any time and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.

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Employee’s Signature Date

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Supervisor’s Signature Date

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