Description
Guide and teach young children using developmentally appropriate curricula to promote social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive growth; assess milestones, individualize learning, and partner with families in a safe, inclusive early childhood environment.
- • Provide varied, open-ended materials and learning centers that support exploration and imaginative play.
- • Attend to children's basic care needs, including feeding, toileting/diapering, dressing, and rest routines.
- • Teach foundational skills—color, shape, number, letter recognition—and social skills and self-care.
- • Establish and model positive behavior expectations and consistent routines.
- • Read aloud to whole groups and small groups to build language and early literacy.
- • Plan and lead play-based activities that foster physical, cognitive, and social development, including arts, music, movement, storytelling, and field trips.
- • Observe and document each child’s growth, behavior, and health using checklists, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.
- • Screen for potential developmental, behavioral, or health concerns and consult with supervisors, families, and specialists.
- • Partner with families to discuss progress, goals, and strategies to support learning at home.
- • Follow and enforce program policies, licensing regulations, and safety procedures.
- • Prepare learning environments, materials, and schedules for daily activities.
- • Teach and reinforce healthy eating, nutrition awareness, and personal hygiene.
- • Serve and supervise meals and snacks that meet nutritional guidelines and allergy plans.
- • Welcome children daily, support transitions, and guide choice of meaningful activities.
- • Differentiate instruction and materials to meet diverse abilities, languages, and interests.
- • Set clear, age-appropriate learning objectives and share them with children and families.
- • Model and scaffold activities to demonstrate new skills and concepts.
- • Arrange indoor and outdoor spaces to promote safe, creative, and gross- and fine-motor play.
- • Maintain accurate child records and documentation in compliance with program and regulatory requirements.
- • Prepare progress reports and summaries of learning, behavior, and program activities.
- • Design balanced schedules that integrate instruction, investigation, play, and rest.
- • Organize, label, and display materials and children’s work to reflect learning and support independence.
- • Engage in ongoing professional development, trainings, and conferences.
- • Collaborate with colleagues to plan, align, and reflect on curriculum and assessment.
- • Supervise, coach, and schedule teaching assistants, aides, and volunteers.
- • Participate in program development, evaluation, and improvement initiatives.
- • Attend staff meetings and contribute to committees or accreditation efforts.
- • Coordinate with therapists, nurses, social workers, and other professionals on individual plans.
- • Plan and supervise projects, community walks, guest visits, and other experiential learning.
- • Select, maintain, and inventory classroom materials, equipment, and supplies.
- • Implement inclusive practices and provide supports and adaptive tools for children with disabilities.
- • Perform ancillary duties such as arrival/dismissal, playground, and meal supervision.
- • Conduct developmental assessments and screenings to inform instruction.
- • Create and implement targeted supports or small-group interventions for children needing extra help.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
