Floater Teacher / Classroom Support Specialist

What You'll Do

The Floater Teacher / Classroom Support Specialist will support classrooms and center operations as assigned by the Center Director, Lead Teachers, or leadership team.

Classroom Support

• Provide classroom coverage for all age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschool, Pre-K, school-age, and aftercare.
• Rotate between classrooms throughout the day based on staffing needs, child-to-staff ratios, teacher breaks, transitions, and center operations.
• Support Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers with daily classroom routines and activities.
• Engage children in age-appropriate learning activities, play, reading, music, art, STE(AI)M, and hands-on exploration.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and structured classroom environment.
• Adhere to the daily schedule and classroom expectations established by the Lead Teacher and administration.
• Support children during learning centers, circle time, outdoor play, meals, rest time, and transitions.
• Assist with classroom setup, cleanup, organization, and preparation of learning materials.

Supervision and Safety

• Conduct active supervision of children at all times, maintaining their safety and well-being.
• Ensure proper child-to-staff ratios are maintained in every classroom.
• Perform regular headcounts during transitions, outdoor play, restroom breaks, meals, and classroom changes.
• Monitor children closely during indoor activities, outdoor play, hallway transitions, and group movement.
• Position yourself where children can be seen and heard.
• Identify and address potential safety concerns and respond quickly to child needs.
• Notify the Lead Teacher or Center Director immediately of any safety concerns, injuries, incidents, or unusual child behavior.
• Follow all center safety policies, emergency procedures, licensing standards, and child accountability practices.
• Support safe arrival, dismissal, and authorized pickup procedures as directed.

Child Care and Daily Routines

• Assist with diapering, toileting, handwashing, feeding, and personal care needs based on the assigned age group.
• Support meal and snack service in accordance with center procedures.
• Assist with nap/rest time setup, monitoring, and cleanup.
• Help children develop independence, confidence, and positive social skills.
• Use positive behavior guidance, redirection, and calm communication.
• Support children with kindness, patience, and respect.
• Adhere to each classroom’s routine without disrupting the learning environment.

Age Group Support

The Floater may be assigned to any age group and must be comfortable supporting:

• Infant feeding, diapering, safe sleep routines, bottle handling, tummy time, and nurturing interaction.
• Toddler toileting, diapering, redirection, emotional regulation, sensory play, and early language development.
• Preschool and Pre-K classroom routines, learning centers, group activities, bathroom transitions, and school-readiness activities.
• School-age and aftercare supervision, homework support, enrichment activities, outdoor play, and dismissal routines.

Operational Support

• Provide coverage for teacher breaks, lunch periods, planning time, restroom breaks, staff absences, and classroom transitions.
• Assist with classroom cleaning, sanitizing, organizing, and resetting learning spaces.
• Prepare classroom materials and supplies as needed.
• Support hallway, playground, bathroom, cafeteria, and transition coverage as needed.
• Assist with special events, enrichment activities, tours, field trips, or center-wide programming when assigned.
• Update Brightwheel as directed, ensuring accurate attendance and basic classroom communication.
• Maintain a professional, welcoming, and organized school environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, compliant, and effective center operations.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be able to demonstrate flexibility across all age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschool, Pre-K, school-age, and aftercare.
• Must be willing and able to support any classroom or program area assigned.
• Must be able to move between classrooms throughout the day based on center needs.
• Must be comfortable supporting diapering, toileting, feeding, rest time, outdoor play, and classroom transitions.
• Must be able to maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Must be able to help maintain proper child-to-staff ratios.
• Must be able to follow directions and adapt quickly to different classroom routines.
• Must be dependable, punctual, professional, and team-oriented.
• Must be able to communicate respectfully with children, families, staff, and leadership.
• Must maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, enrollment, tuition, subsidy status, behavior concerns, medical information, custody matters, and center operations.
• Must be able to pass all required background checks and eligibility requirements.
• Must be willing to complete all required childcare training, onboarding, orientation, health and safety training, emergency preparedness training, child abuse and neglect training, safe sleep training, food allergy training, and center-specific training.
• Must have a genuine interest in working with children.

Nice to Have

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous experience working in a licensed childcare center, preschool, school, camp, church nursery, or similar child-focused setting.
• Experience working with multiple age groups.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Knowledge of Virginia childcare licensing standards.
• Familiarity with Brightwheel or another childcare management system.
• Experience supporting infant, toddler, preschool, Pre-K, or school-age classrooms.
• Interest in early childhood education, child development, STE(AI)M, robotics, creativity, or school readiness.
• Ability to step into different classroom environments with confidence and professionalism.
• Strong classroom management and positive behavior guidance skills.

Benefits

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