How to Write a Job Description for Daycare Staff

One of the important aspects of hiring and retaining high-quality staff for your daycare or preschool program is writing accurate job descriptions. From an employee’s perspective, it is helpful to know exactly what the expectations are for the role and how success is being measured. From an employer’s perspective, a quality job description helps keep everyone on the same page, and allows you to be sure everyone knows what is expected of them. 

Crafting thoughtful job descriptions is a bit of work ahead of time, but is worth it in the long run. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about early childhood job descriptions and how to write them, along with a handy template for you to fill out and use!

Overview

What makes a good job description?

Lead Teacher job description

Assistant Teacher job description

Teacher's Aide job description

Editable job description template 

All about daycare job descriptions

The jobs you need at your daycare may vary from the needs of another program depending on where you are located, how many classrooms you have, and whether you are center or home-based. For example, a larger daycare center may need a variety of roles whereas a home daycare may only have a few caregivers. 

You know the needs of your program and the families you serve, so feel free to take these descriptions and make them your own. You may also want to combine some of them if you don’t need as many roles in your program. 

What makes a good job description?

Job descriptions should be a detailed outline of the duties and responsibilities of the role. It should include a list of daily responsibilities as well as any long-term projects or outcomes that are expected. It’s important for this list to be as detailed and thorough as possible, so perspective candidates know what to expect if they accept the position. 

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of the position, a job description should list the qualifications needed to qualify for the role. For example, if you are hiring a lead teacher they may need a Bachelor’s degree depending on where you are located. Do you want your staff to have specific training, or characteristics (empathetic and attention-to-detail are good ones!)

If your program follows a certain philosophy or curriculum, you might want to list this in your qualifications section if you prefer a candidate to have some experience with whatever methodology you follow. 

Lastly, it’s important to describe how success will be measured in the position. Will staff receive feedback through evaluations? Will you be observing in their classroom and providing feedback? People appreciate knowing what kind of support and feedback they’ll be receiving as they develop in their role. 

A high-quality job description makes it easier to start off a working relationship on the right track. It is a document that can be used as a contract, having every new staff member sign a copy of their job description when they are hired. It can be referred back to during staff evaluations or when considering whether the staff member is eligible for a raise or promotion. 

Top tips for writing job descriptions

Here are some of our favorite tips for writing job descriptions. 

• Write in a descriptive, direct style.
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. Other people reading the position description may not be familiar with them. 
• Avoid gender-specific language, such as, “He manages,” “She is responsible for.”
• Focus on essential duties, and write the most important ones first!

Lead Teacher job description

Job summary: The lead teacher is responsible for the care and supervision of a classroom of children. The primary responsibilities include curriculum development and implementation, parent-teacher communication and supervision of assistant teachers as needed. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement the daily schedule of developmentally appropriate experiences for a classroom group of children  
• Plan and implement a curriculum based on the interests and needs of the children in the classroom
• Gather and prepare materials needed for lessons and activities each day
•  Maintain a clean and safe classroom environment conducive to children’s growth and development.
• Work with the Administrator/Director to help meet the needs of children with high support needs. 
• Keep daily written observations of the children, documenting their progress.
•  Hold at least two parent-teacher conferences and seek to involve parents in the program by inviting them to volunteer as needed.
• Maintain progress records and portfolios on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of the children in the classroom.
• Work with parents to solve behavior challenges; arrange parent meetings as necessary and field parent’s concerns.
• Supervise and encourage the professional development of assistant teachers, aidse, volunteers and other child care personnel in the classroom. 
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops and other career development and professional activities.  
• Complete continuing education hours per State requirements each year.
• Assure that furniture and materials are accessible, appropriate and in good condition at all times.
• Perform classroom related and other maintenance duties as requested  
• Assist Administrator/Director in evaluation of assistants as needed  
• Write a monthly newsletter for parents, outlining what the children have been working on and any important dates to remember.
• Facilitate meal and snack times, helping children serve themselves and encouraging them to try new foods. 

Qualifications:    

• Associates or Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Atleast 1 full year teaching in an early childhood program/daycare/classroom.  
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid, CPR certification and MAT (Medication Administration Training).
• Be responsive to the unique needs and culture of families, such as single parents, grandparents as caregivers, co-parenting relationships, LGTBQ families, non-English speaking, teen parents, domestic violence situations and more.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, Google Docs, Zoom or other online meeting platforms.
• Be willing to obtain an initial health exam post job offer and prior to employment.

Supervision and support

• The Lead Teacher will report directly to the Director/Administrator and will meet weekly to go over lesson plans and classroom management.
• Director/Administrator will observe in the classroom once a month and provide feedback and coaching 
• Newer teachers will be paired with an experienced teacher in a mentorship role 

Assistant Teacher job description

Job summary: Daycare Assistant Teachers work with or under the supervision of Lead Teachers to perform the following general duties:

• Work with children, either individually or in small groups, to help reinforce lessons presented by lead teachers
• Supervise students in class, during lunch and nap, playtime or recess, and at special events, like field trips
• Assist in classroom management: reinforcing desired behavior and helping children develop social skills 
• Participates in classroom staff meetings to consult on program planning, goal setting and implementation, planning for individual children and to discuss program and working conditions. 
• Assist with record keeping, such as attendance records, student progress notes and parent-teacher communication
• Help teachers prepare for the day by assembling materials and necessary equipment
• Act as a Lead teacher in the event that the Lead teacher is absent.

Qualifications:    

• Associates in Early Childhood Education or similar credential
• At least 1 full year of experience in an early childhood program/daycare/classroom.  
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid, CPR certification, and MAT (Medication Administration Training).
• Be responsive to the unique needs and cultures of families, such as single parents, grandparents as caregivers, co-parenting relationships, LGTBQ families, non-English speaking, teen parents, domestic violence situations, and more.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, Google Docs, Zoom or other online meeting platforms.
• Be willing to obtain an initial health exam post job offer and prior to employment.

Supervision and support

• The Assistant Teacher will report directly to the Director/Administrator 
• Director/Administrator will observe in the classroom once a month and provide feedback and coaching 
• Newer teachers will be paired with an experienced teacher in a mentorship role 

Teacher’s Aide job description

Job Summary: Works with classroom teachers to promote the educational and social development of the children enrolled in the program.

Responsibilities: 

• Work with classroom teachers to ensure the classroom is running smoothly
•  Implement activities based on knowledge of child development 
• Open classroom in morning, greets parents and children, assists in making a smooth transition 
• Assist with meals, toileting, and hand washing 
• Participate in classroom staff meetings to consult on program planning, goal setting and implementation, planning for individual children and to discuss program and working conditions. 
• Perform general housekeeping tasks
• Perform other duties necessary to the functioning of the program as assigned by the Administrator/Director.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience with children under the age of 5.
• Must be willing to obtain a physical prior to employment 
• Must be willing to be CPR certified

Editable template

How to use this template:

1. Open the template by clicking below
2. Copy the text in the document, open a new document and paste the job descriptions into the new document.
3. Use our descriptions, edit them or create your own!

Daycare job descriptions template