Location
Marion County, Missouri
Salary
$21 - $21 / HOUR
Support the classroom team in creating a safe and nurturing environment for infants and toddlers to promote developmental growth. Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to implement lesson plans and maintain communication with families and service providers.
Requires an Infant/Toddler CDA within 18 months of hire, with an Associate's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education preferred. Candidates should have 1-3 years of experience working with young children and the ability to obtain specific certifications.
Help Shape Bright Futures Do you have a passion for early childhood education and a desire to support infants and toddlers during their most important stages of development? Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can help children grow while supporting families and building strong classroom partnerships? Join our Early Head Start team and become part of a caring, collaborative classroom environment where every child is supported to reach their fullest potential. As a Co-Teacher, you will work alongside teaching staff to create safe, nurturing, and engaging learning experiences that promote growth in all developmental areas.
Why You'll Love Working Here Competitive Pay (Level 25 non-exempt) $17.72/hour with Infant/Toddler CDA $19.49/hour with Associate Degree $21.44/hour with Bachelor’s Degree
Outstanding Work-Life Balance Full-time schedule: 40 hours per week, 49 weeks per year No evenings, weekends, or overtime required Paid winter/holiday break
Exceptional Benefits Health, dental, and vision insurance FREE life insurance 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) 14 paid holidays annually Paid inclement weather days Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities Career growth and advancement opportunities
Ensuring a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for infants and toddlers Supporting children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development Assisting in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans Working collaboratively with the Lead Teacher and classroom staff to manage daily activities Supporting individualized learning experiences based on each child’s strengths and needs Building positive relationships with families to encourage engagement in their child’s learning Incorporating health, nutrition, and self-care routines into daily classroom activities Completing required documentation, assessments, and computer-based data entry accurately and on time Supporting developmental, behavioral, and health screenings and follow-up services Making appropriate referrals to community agencies when needed to support children and families Maintaining ongoing communication with families, staff, supervisors, and service providers Following confidentiality standards and program policies at all times
What We're Looking For Infant/Toddler CDA required within 18 months of hire Associate’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education preferred (or related field with relevant experience/credentials per Head Start requirements) 1–3 years of experience working with young children highly preferred Ability to successfully complete Teaching Strategies GOLD Inter-Rater Reliability Certification within 6 months of hire Strong communication skills (written and verbal) Ability to write and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans Computer proficiency, including data entry and word processing CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain and maintain) Reliable transportation required Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and work effectively as part of a team Strong commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics
The above description is not a comprehensive listing of all job specific responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Apply today at douglassonline.org Douglass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and Drug-Free Workplace.
Market context
In Missouri, classroom teacher roles in early childhood settings are typically driven by ongoing demand for educators with infant-toddler experience and formal training in Early Childhood Education or a related field. These positions can be competitive because Montessori preparation and hands-on experience with children ages 0-3 are often required, along with standard benefits such as health, dental, vision, paid holidays, and paid time off. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your Montessori credentials and age-group experience before applying.
Salary benchmark
$42,512 avg / yr
Typical range: $31,200–$46,524 based on 260 active listings in Missouri