Lead Teacher / Teacher Assistant – Early Head Start Collaboration Classroom

Glassboro Child Development Centers (GCDC)

Help young children learn, grow, and thrive every day!

Do you enjoy working with infants and toddlers? Are you patient, dependable, and passionate about supporting children during their earliest stages of development?

Glassboro Child Development Centers is seeking a caring and enthusiastic Lead Teacher and/or Teacher Assistant for our Early Head Start (EHS) collaboration classroom.

Depending on your qualifications and Child Development Associate (CDA) credential status, you may be considered for either position. Both roles work collaboratively to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that supports each child's individual growth, development, and well-being.

Position Details

- Schedule: Monday–Friday

- Hours: 40-hour workweek

- Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

- Pay Rates:

$17.98/hour: Teacher Assistant

- $19.31/hour: Teacher Assistant with qualifying CDA coursework/hours or actively working toward a CDA

- $20.65/hour: Lead Teacher with a current, qualifying CDA credential

What You'll Do

Our classroom team works together to provide high-quality early childhood education and responsive care while meeting GCDC and Early Head Start collaboration standards.

Responsibilities include:

- Create a welcoming, inclusive, and nurturing environment that supports positive relationships with children and families.

- Plan, implement, and support developmentally appropriate learning experiences through play, exploration, and daily routines.

- Provide attentive, active supervision while maintaining appropriate child-to-staff ratios and ensuring children's safety.

- Support individualized learning, developmental milestones, and children's social-emotional growth.

- Observe children, document developmental progress, and assist with screenings, assessments, and individualized learning plans.

- Maintain accurate classroom records and documentation in accordance with program expectations.

- Support positive behavior guidance and responsive caregiving practices.

- Communicate professionally with families regarding children's daily experiences, progress, and needs.

- Assist with feeding, diapering, toileting, handwashing, rest periods, and other personal care routines.

- Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and engaging classroom environment.

- Follow GCDC policies, childcare licensing regulations, health and safety requirements, and applicable Early Head Start standards.

- Participate in classroom planning, team meetings, professional development, and continuous quality improvement activities.

Lead Teacher Responsibilities: In addition to the above, the Lead Teacher takes primary responsibility for classroom planning, curriculum implementation, developmental documentation, and coordination of daily classroom activities in collaboration with the Teacher Assistant and Site Director.

Qualifications

Required:

- High school diploma or equivalent.

- Ability to meet applicable childcare licensing, background check, and Early Head Start collaboration requirements.

- CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain required certification within the designated timeframe.

- Ability to work collaboratively with children, families, classroom staff, and supervisors.

- Dependability, patience, professionalism, and a commitment to providing high-quality care.

Position-Specific Qualifications:

- Lead Teacher: Current, qualifying CDA credential appropriate to the classroom age group, or another credential that satisfies applicable Early Head Start qualification requirements.

- Teacher Assistant: Candidates without a CDA are welcome to apply. Relevant coursework, experience, or active progress toward obtaining a CDA is preferred.

Preferred:

- One year of experience working with infants or toddlers in a licensed childcare setting.

- Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices.

- Experience with observations, developmental assessments, and individualized learning activities.

- Familiarity with Early Head Start, Head Start Program Performance Standards, or similar early childhood programs.

Professional Development

Employees complete a minimum of 12 hours of annual professional development, along with any additional training required by childcare licensing, Early Head Start collaboration standards, or GCDC.

Training may include child development, curriculum, assessment, infant and early childhood mental health, health and safety, positive guidance, family engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and other relevant early childhood topics.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in an infant/toddler classroom and requires active indoor and outdoor supervision, frequent standing, bending, lifting, and movement throughout the day. Employees must be able to safely assist children with daily care routines and respond appropriately to their developmental and physical needs.

Occasional evening or weekend agency meetings, training sessions, or events may be required.

Relationships

This position works collaboratively with:

- Children and families

- Classroom team members

- Site Directors

- GCDC administration

- Early Head Start collaboration partners

- Community partners and support professionals

Join a team where relationships, fun, trust, and excellence are at the heart of what we do!

If you're ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children while growing your career in early childhood education, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today by submitting your resume and a brief cover letter telling us why you'd be a great addition to the GCDC team!