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Education

Early Childhood Assistant

Perform duties that are instructional in nature or deliver direct services to students or parents. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, and overseeing educational and play activities. Serve in a position for which an Early Childhood Teacher has ultimate responsibility for design and implementation of educational programs and services. Required to meet one of the qualification options outlined in Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations.

Annual openings

1,034

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

Early Childhood Assistants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have completed two (2) of the early childhood education classes at a college or university with a course grade of “C” or better which may result in a certificate, depending on the institution.

Growth 2024–2034

+18%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Early Childhood Assistants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have completed two (2) of the early childhood education classes at a college or university with a course grade of “C” or better which may result in a certificate, depending on the institution.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

Early Childhood Assistants must follow licensing requirements as outlined by the Colorado Department of Human Services. However, individual organizations and settings might have preferred qualifications, including a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. For Paraprofessionals working in schools, requirements vary with each district. Guidelines from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recommend paraprofessionals in school-based settings demonstrate subject matter competency and a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on pre-hire, pre-service and orientation, and professional development requirements in early childhood education jobs, please see the ECE Credentials Overview.

Experience detail

In general, Early Childhood Assistants in most settings need 1+ years (1,820 hours) of verified experience in the care of at least four children under the age of six who are not related to the individual. Examples of experience include working as an Early Childhood Aide or in a Family Child Care Provider setting.

Employer competency information

  • ● Communication - Able to understand the needs of young children, who often have limited means of communication, and communicate those needs to others ● Instruction - Able to lead and demonstrate effective curriculum utilization and implement tools for assessment, such as TSG and CLASS, specific to early childhood needs ● Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to complete work assignments ● Problem Solving & Decision Making - Able to facilitate conflict resolution among children and think outside of the box to utilize resources that benefit children and families ● Customer Service - Able to listen to parent concerns openly and responsively to resolve issues. Able to create, utilize, and communicate center policies that set clear expectations to a diverse group of stakeholders
Filling an Early Childhood Assistant job is a great way to get paid while earning the experience or completing the education needed to become an Early Childhood Educator or gain the skills that will help you in other education jobs.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

A typical day

  1. Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
  2. Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
  3. Teach social skills to students.
  4. Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
  5. Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
  6. Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
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