Assistant Teacher, Floater, Full-Time

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Floater — Teacher Assistant (Full-Time)

Location: Child Development Center, South Side of Columbia, MO

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Position Summary

The Floater Teacher Assistant supports the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in delivering and supervising a dynamic and individualized developmental classroom for children of all abilities. You’ll step into various classrooms as needed, ensuring consistency, continuity, and quality in daily operations. In addition, you help uphold a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment while engaging with children, families, and staff.

About the Center & Role Purpose

The center is located on the south side of Columbia, offering care for children of all abilities in a developmental, inclusive setting. As a Floater Teacher Assistant, you play a critical role in maintaining classroom continuity, supporting diverse learners, and ensuring program quality across multiple classrooms.

Why This Role Matters

This position provides immense variety and impact: you’re not tied to one classroom but contribute where need is greatest, supporting children’s learning, growth, and inclusion. You’ll work with teams, families, and children each day while building your experience and continuing professional training.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with implementing scheduled daily activities and lesson plans under guidance.
• Serve as a floater to multiple classrooms based on daily needs.
• Support classroom organization by setting up learning centers and preparing materials.
• Provide housekeeping duties and maintain a clean, safe, healthy learning environment.
• Maintain adequate supervision of children at all times.
• Actively engage in children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
• Adapt environments and activities for inclusion of children with disabilities.
• Support documentation and child-specific goal monitoring.
• Build and maintain professional, confidential relationships with children, families, and UCP personnel.
• Participate in staff, parent, team meetings, and in-service trainings.
• Physically assist children as needed (lifting, bending, etc., up to 50 lb).
• Stay current with required trainings, including licensing/NAEYC standards, and complete 18 annual continuing education hours.

Skills & Abilities

• Outgoing, creative, organized, and exceptionally reliable.
• Strong soft skills: excellent communication, teamwork, adaptability, and relational skills.
• Professional demeanor with children, staff, families, and agency personnel.
• Able to interact frequently and positively with families.
• Tech-savvy: Proficient in Relias, ADP, Microsoft 365, and MOPD systems.

Education & Certifications

• Required: Minimum 12 college credits in Early Childhood Education or actively enrolled in a CDA or equivalent program.
• Preferred: CDA credential or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education; CPR/First Aid certification (UCP offers support to obtain these).
• At least one year of experience working with children, preferably including those with physical and/or developmental disabilities.
• Must pass a Family Care Safety Registry background check and TB screening.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off (Generous PTO Policy and 10 company holidays!)
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Pet insurance