Careers

Earned 2023 Great Place to Work Certification

Do you love working with children? 

If you have a love for children, a desire to care and teach, and a knack for working and communicating with others as a team, then take the next step and choose a career in early childhood education! 

Are you interested in a career in early childhood education?  Child Care Associates offers a paid apprenticeship!  As an Early Head Start Apprentice, you will earn your Infant/Toddler CDA while gaining rich, hands-on experience with children ages 0-2 in an Early Head Start classroom.  Child Care Associates covers all costs of the Infant/Toddler CDA and provides coaching and development to prepare you to become an Early Head Start Teacher.    

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must complete CDA class and receive credential within 8 months of employment.
• Ability to read a textbook, create a professional portfolio, and participate in a Child Development Associate Credentialing Class
• Must demonstrate an understanding of human behavior and have expressive and receptive language abilities.
• Possess a special ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers and parents.
• Ability to work with infants and toddlers warmly, calmly and in an unhurried way.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment and/or periodic physical examination, annual TB skin test, and complete background check every 24 months.

The physical requirements for this position 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.

• Must be able to walk at a fast pace for extended periods of time.
• Participate and incorporate brisk ten (10) minute walks with children into daily routine/lesson plans.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able frequently to twist, turn, kneel, bend and stoop multiple times per day.
• Must be able to perform physical activities with children.
• Must be able to monitor children’s safety in all activities.
• Must be able to move quickly in order to keep children safe.

• Assist Early Head Start Teachers to prepare child development materials and arrange a physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers.
• Utilize positive guidance strategies to redirect young children.
• Engage in developmentally appropriate activities with children as assigned.
• Use the appropriate skills to meet social, emotional, physical and developmental needs of individual infants and toddlers.
• Observe children in order to make sure that they are playing safely with each other.
• Assist in ongoing communications with each child and their family.
• Assist in home visits and parent teacher conferences as applicable.
• Supervise and guide children during mealtime, toileting, hand washing, rest periods and play activities.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary classroom area.
• Participate in all staff development activities, in-service training and workshops.
• Engage in a 120 hour Child Development Associate Credential Class.
• Create a Professional Portfolio for the CDA Professional Development Specialist visit.
• Receive a passing grade on the CDA Exam (taken on a computer).
• Perform other related duties as required.