Classroom Aide – Early Head Start

About the Role

The Classroom Aide is an integral member of the Early Head Start classroom team, responsible for meal preparation and nutrition compliance, classroom sanitation, and providing reliable classroom coverage throughout the day. This role directly supports child health and safety, program continuity, and compliance with Head Start and USDA CACFP standards.

This is a full-time, in-person position, funded through childcare revenue and designed to support long-term program sustainability.

Why This Role Matters

By supporting food service, sanitation, and classroom operations, the Classroom Aide helps maintain safe adult-to-child ratios, reduces teacher burnout, and ensures that infants and toddlers receive consistent, high-quality care in a nurturing environment. This role plays a key part in creating stable, well-functioning classrooms that support both children and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Meal Preparation & Nutrition Compliance

• Prepare, portion, and serve meals and snacks in accordance with USDA CACFP standards
• Safely prepare infant bottles according to individualized feeding plans
• Maintain awareness of food allergies and special dietary needs
• Sanitize kitchen equipment, dishes, and food service areas after meals
• Restock classroom refrigerators and maintain required temperature logs

Healthy Learning Environment

• Complete daily cleaning and sanitizing of classroom and food service areas
• Manage classroom laundry so linens and comfort items are clean and available
• Sanitize toys and learning materials per established schedules
• Monitor and restock classroom supplies such as diapers, wipes, and paper products

Classroom Coverage & Program Continuity

• Provide classroom coverage during teacher breaks and planning time
• Support smooth transitions during arrivals, departures, and nap routines
• Assist with playground safety checks and emergency preparedness audits
• Step into kitchen aide duties as needed to maintain uninterrupted service

Qualifications

Required

• Prior experience in food service, childcare, or a related environment
• Ability to follow safety, sanitation, and checklist-based procedures
• Willingness to obtain Food Safety Certification within 90 days of hire
• Current or ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role (lifting up to 40 lbs, standing, bending, and working at floor level)

Preferred

• Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, or CACFP-regulated environments
• Bilingual skills (Spanish, Portuguese, or Cape Verdean Creole)
• Interest in pursuing a long-term career in early childhood education or human services

Schedule & Work Environment

• Full-Time (30+ hours per week)
• Monday–Friday
• Standard hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This schedule is consistent; however, limited flexibility may be required on occasion.
• In-person role at the Newport/Chafee site

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate: $16.50 – $19.50
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (after one year)
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, personal and sick time)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Agency-paid training and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supportive, mission-driven team environment

Apply Today

If you enjoy working with young children, value cleanliness and safety, and want to contribute to a program that supports families and early childhood development, we encourage you to apply and join the EBCAP Early Head Start team.