Apprentice Classroom Aide

Apprentice Classroom Aide

The Apprentice Classroom Aide position is a structured, paid pathway into early childhood education. It combines hands-on classroom experience with training, professional development, and credential attainment.

In this role, you will work directly with children while building your skills and knowledge as an early childhood educator. You will also participate in ongoing training and learning cohorts, supported by experienced educators and program staff through coaching, mentorship, and structured learning opportunities.

This opportunity is perfect for anyone who is motivated to grow, open to learning, and ready to make a meaningful commitment to a career in early childhood education.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Within first 9 months: begin and complete Child Development Associates (CDA) credential
• Within 18 months: Be enrolled in a degree program

Throughout the program, apprentices are expected to actively engage in both their classroom responsibilities and their professional learning.

Under the direction of the Managing Associate Teacher assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children.

Major Responsibilities and Key Tasks:

• Ensure an emotionally safe climate by upholding and demonstrating the practices outlined in the NAEYC code of Conduct in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
• Utilize strategies for Active Supervision throughout the day and in all spaces (indoors and outdoors) to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
• Perform the functions of this position with a growing understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and Developmentally Appropriate Practices;
• Assist in facilitating activities with the children, including daily activities, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
• Collaborate with the MAT, Teacher Assistant, and Program Advisor team in the creation and facilitation of studies to support weekly lesson plans including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain sound functioning of the program in compliance with all state and federal regulations, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children;
• Under the direction of the MAT, the Aide supports a comprehensive and ongoing developmental portfolio for assigned children, including annual developmental screening, Teaching Strategies Gold observational data in each core objective, examples of the child's work, and informal observations.
• Implement family style meals and eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices;
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills and the ability to meet widely held expectations across all developmental domains.
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are responsive to children's needs, properly maintained and stored;
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe;
• Collaborate with family support staff to exchange information pertinent to serving children and families;
• Collaborate with the mental health and program advisor teams to support the developmental needs of children and ensure developmentally appropriate practices;
• Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Functions performed with Managing Associate Teacher and Assistant Teacher Support and Guidance

• Under the direction of the Managing Associate Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher:
  • Assist in using information from home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;
  • Assist in supporting children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P (Individual Family Service Plan) goals, seeking clarification for any aspects that is not well understood;
  • Assist in maintaining a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
  • Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed;
  • Assist in conducting the daily health and environmental checklist.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Minimum HS Diploma/GED required;
• Completion of Gateways to Opportunity Level 1 Early Childhood Education/Infant Toddler credential required within 90 days of employment;
• Upon employment offer, proof of a medical examination conducted within the last six months, including tuberculosis testing, and completion of background checks as required by the agency and/or DCFS licensing, is required.

Within 18 months of employment:

• Obtain Child Development Associate certification;
• Be on a pathway to degree attainment or completion of Gateways to Opportunity Level 2-3 --associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development preferred;
• Have beginning knowledge of the philosophy and practices of early childhood education

Additional Requirements:

• Requires ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning, and analytical skills in: training, Evaluation, and program development;
• Requires strong interpersonal and oral communication skills;
• Requires effective writing and verbal communication skills;
• Requires proficient use of technology, Microsoft word, Outlook, and the ability to acclimate to online portal usage for recording observations, assessments, and lesson planning.
• Successful experience working in a team setting;
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community;
• Visual and auditory 3acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need;
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including , but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tablet;
• must be able to lift 55 pounds;

Working Conditions:

• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
• Job requires sitting long periods of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during work with children, observations, and training), as well as stooping squatting, and running.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Retirement Savings Plan (401(k))
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 2026-27 CRCL Benefits Guide
• CRCL 2026-2027 Bi-Weekly Rate Sheet

If you are having issues accessing the link, please be sure to check out our Careers page for more information!

Carole Robertson Center for Learning Provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Pay Range: $18.25 - $19.60 per hour