Description
Provide nurturing care and early education for infants and toddlers in center-based or home settings, managing routines like feeding, diapering, naps, and play-based learning while ensuring health, safety, and strong family communication.
- • Support infants' and toddlers' social-emotional development with responsive caregiving.
- • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based activities for ages 0-3.
- • Observe, document, and assess developmental milestones and share progress with families.
- • Maintain safe, clean, and engaging classroom and outdoor play environments.
- • Sanitize toys, equipment, and surfaces per health regulations.
- • Follow safe sleep practices and regulate nap schedules.
- • Prepare bottles, breast milk, and formula; feed children and support self-feeding skills.
- • Dress children, change diapers, and assist with toilet learning.
- • Teach and model health and personal habits such as handwashing and gentle hygiene.
- • Read aloud, sing songs, and lead fingerplays and simple art activities.
- • Monitor play and interactions, facilitating turn-taking and positive peer engagement.
- • Use positive guidance and redirection to support behavior and self-regulation.
- • Identify signs of developmental or health concerns and notify supervisors and families.
- • Keep daily records of activities, meals, diapering, naps, and medications.
- • Communicate with parents or guardians about routines, behaviors, and learning.
- • Assist with meal prep and serve snacks and meals according to dietary needs and allergies.
- • Organize and store materials to maintain order and accessibility.
- • Accompany children to playgrounds and on short supervised walks or stroller outings.
- • Implement individualized care plans, including for children with disabilities.
- • Comply with licensing, ratio, and health and safety standards, including incident reporting.
- • Perform classroom housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, and linen changes.
- • Collaborate with co-teachers; train and mentor aides and volunteers.
- • Perform administrative tasks such as attendance, screening paperwork, and phone calls.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
