Daycare Teacher Assistant

This position is for the 2026-27 School Year

GROUP: Classifed

SALARY: Daycare Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS: Non- Exempt

WORKDAYS PER FISCAL YEAR: 188

HOLIDAYS: 10

SUMMARY:

The Teacher Assistant supports the healthy growth, development, and early learning of infants, toddlers, and young children by partnering with Lead Teachers to provide exceptional care in a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. This position helps create meaningful early childhood experiences through responsive caregiving, play-based learning, positive relationships, and developmentally appropriate instruction that supports each child's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.

As part of the Chief Leschi Schools employee childcare program, the Teacher Assistant plays an important role in providing families with confidence that their children are receiving high-quality care from trusted professionals. The position works collaboratively with families and colleagues to foster a welcoming, culturally responsive environment that reflects the values and traditions of the Puyallup Tribe and Chief Leschi Schools while supporting every child's unique strengths and developmental needs.

ABOUT CHIEF LESCHI SCHOOLS:

Formerly known as the Puyallup Tribal School, Chief Leschi Schools was founded in 1976 to address the high dropout rate of the youth of the Puyallup Tribe. It is the largest of seven tribal schools in the state of Washington and one of approximately 200+ tribal schools in the United States. It is also one of the largest tribal schools to be funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Assists Lead Teachers in providing exceptional care and early learning experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children through developmentally appropriate, play-based instruction.
• Builds warm, responsive, and trusting relationships with children that promote emotional security, confidence, independence, and healthy social development.
• Creates a safe, welcoming, and inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued, respected, and supported.
• Supervises children at all times, ensuring their health, safety, and well-being while maintaining required staff-to-child ratios.
• Supports children's cognitive, language, social-emotional, physical, and creative development through engaging daily activities and meaningful interactions.
• Observes children's development and shares relevant information with Lead Teachers to support individualized learning and developmental goals.
• Assists with preparing classrooms, learning centers, materials, and outdoor environments that encourage exploration, curiosity, and active learning.
• Models positive behavior guidance techniques that promote self-regulation, problem-solving, and respectful interactions while maintaining consistent expectations.
• Assists children with feeding, diapering, toileting, dressing, handwashing, and other personal care routines while preserving each child's dignity and promoting independence.
• Follows safe sleep practices, health procedures, sanitation requirements, medication protocols, and emergency procedures in accordance with DCYF licensing requirements and school policies.
• Maintains a clean, organized, healthy, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment by following established cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
• Welcomes families each day with professionalism and warmth while supporting positive communication during child drop-off and pick-up.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff in accordance with school policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Supports children with diverse developmental, behavioral, medical, and learning needs by implementing individualized strategies under the guidance of Lead Teachers and specialists.
• Participates in cultural activities and incorporates Indigenous perspectives, Puyallup language, traditions, and values into daily interactions and learning experiences.
• Attends staff meetings, professional development, required trainings, and maintains all required certifications.
• Works collaboratively with teachers, administrators, specialists, and families to support each child's success.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed, while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Two years of study at an accredited institution of higher education (72 quarter credits or equivalent);

• Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or

• Passing score on an approved Washington State Paraeducator Assessment.

• Minimum of six (6) months of experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, or other groups of young children in a licensed childcare, preschool, educational, or similar setting.

• Demonstrated ability to provide nurturing, responsive, and developmentally appropriate care for young children.

• Ability to establish positive, respectful relationships with children, families, and coworkers.

• Commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive, and emotionally supportive learning environment.

• Must complete Washington State Basic STARS training within one (1) year of hire.

• Must successfully complete all Washington State Early Childhood Education Stackable Certificate requirements (47 credits) within three (3) years of hire and meet all required milestones.

• Ability to obtain and maintain all required certifications and clearances as a condition of employment.

• Proof of all required education and qualifications must be submitted with the application.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Family Studies, or a closely related field.
• Current Washington State Early Childhood Education Initial, Short, State, or Advanced Certificate.
• One (1) or more years of experience working in a licensed childcare center, Early Head Start, Head Start, ECEAP, preschool, infant/toddler program, or similar early learning environment.
• Experience caring for infants and toddlers.
• Experience implementing developmentally appropriate, play-based learning activities that support children's cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development.
• Experience working with children from culturally diverse backgrounds and integrating culturally responsive practices into daily instruction.
• Experience supporting children with developmental delays, disabilities, trauma, behavioral needs, or individualized learning plans.
• Current Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, Food Handler's Permit, Safe Sleep Training, and Washington State MERIT account in good standing.
• Working knowledge of Washington State DCYF licensing requirements and early learning best practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional growth in early childhood education.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successful criminal background clearance.

• Successful and/or clear drug screening.

• Proof of CPR, First Aid certification, and TB test within two weeks of hire.

• Valid Food Handler's Permit.

• WA DCYF Safe Sleep Training compltion.

• Maintain current immunizations and attend all required trainings.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles of infant, toddler, and early childhood growth and development.
• Developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth through school age.
• Positive behavior guidance, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care.
• Responsive caregiving techniques that foster secure attachments and healthy child development.
• Child health, nutrition, hygiene, safe sleep practices, and emergency response procedures.
• DCYF licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and child care regulations.
• Inclusive practices that support children with diverse developmental, behavioral, and learning needs.
• Family engagement strategies that promote strong partnerships between caregivers and educators.
• Culturally responsive teaching practices and the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into early childhood education.
• Classroom organization, observation, and documentation practices that support child development.

ABILITY TO:

• Build trusting, nurturing relationships with infants, toddlers, young children, and their families.
• Create engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, independence, and exploration.
• Maintain a calm, patient, and positive demeanor while responding effectively to children's individual needs.
• Recognize potential health, safety, or developmental concerns and communicate them appropriately.
• Prioritize child safety while supervising multiple children in both indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Work collaboratively with Lead Teachers to implement daily routines, curriculum, and individualized support plans.
• Adapt quickly to changing classroom needs while maintaining a structured, predictable environment.
• Maintain accurate records and complete required documentation with attention to detail.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with families, coworkers, and administrators.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, dependability, and confidentiality in all aspects of the position.
• Lift, carry, and safely assist infants and young children while performing the physical demands of early childhood education.
• Demonstrate a genuine passion for early childhood education and a commitment to providing exceptional care for every child.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Building Principal or Designee

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Workplace accommodations may be provided in accordance with CLS Tribal policy.

• Employees may be required to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks involving reaching, talking, hearing, bending, stooping, twisting, squatting, kneeling, and fine motor coordination.
• This position may require regularly lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds, with appropriate assistance or equipment as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed in an indoor educational environment with moderate noise levels. Employees may work in and/or proximity to classrooms, students, and standard office or instructional equipment. Conditions may vary based on program needs.

SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY NOTICE:

Chief Leschi Schools operates under the authority of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Employment is governed by Tribal law and policy and does not create a contract of employment. Nothing in this job description or related materials shall be construed as a waiver of CLS's or the Tribe's sovereign immunity.

INDIAN PREFERENCE & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Chief Leschi Schools is an equal opportunity employer operating under the authority of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Employment decisions are made in accordance with Tribal law, including applicable Indian preference requirements. Chief Leschi Schools provides employment opportunities without unlawful discrimination as defined by Tribal policy and aligns with applicable federal requirements where expressly required under law or the State-Tribal Education Compact. Nothing in this statement shall be construed as a waiver of CLS's or the Tribe's sovereign immunity.