Oakland Family Services·Pontiac, Michigan
The Childcare Assistant supports daily classroom operations, maintains safety and supervision of children, and implements developmentally appropriate activities. They also collaborate with teachers to ensure compliance with state licensing standards and support the overall learning environment.
Want to be a DIFFERENCE MAKER? Join our team and BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES.
Why work for oakland family services?
We know that in order for you to do your best work and meet our mission, you must be able to be your best self. At Oakland Family Services (OFS), we care about our staff as people first. We treat our team members like family and understand the importance of their families at home. We recognize the significance of flexibility and work/life balance.
We also know that your success…is our success. That’s why OFS not only honors the talent and experience you bring; we actively seek to develop it.
Oakland Family Services has proudly been named a Top Workplace for over ten (10) years in a row, voted on by our own staff. We offer a warm, engaging, equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
Oakland Family Services is a private, non-profit service organization serving our community and building brighter futures for more than 100 years. We proudly offer a continuum of prevention, education and treatment services that span the human life cycle.
Providing individuals and families the opportunity to build brighter futures.
Communities of thriving individuals and families.
Between our strong commitment to our mission and a workplace culture that puts our staff first, we enrich the lives of those we serve, strengthen families, and build brighter futures for those we serve and those we employ.
Competitive compensation.
Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts and HSA options.
Retirement plan with a company match.
Long-term disability insurance.
Voluntary short-term disability.
Life insurance and AD&D.
Malpractice insurance.
Paid time off benefits, including generous vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement days.
Twelve (12) paid holidays, including a floating holiday of your choice!
Annual pay increases, as approved.
Employee assistance program for you and immediate family.
Network of support for your health & well-being.
Verizon cellular plan discount.
Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
Loan forgiveness programs.
PLUS...
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Family friendly practices and support.
Flexible work schedules, as appropriate.
Hybrid and virtual work options, as appropriate.
Highly robust and comprehensive onboarding and training program.
Paid professional development.
Free online trainings that count toward continuing education credits.
Employee assistance programs.
“Dress for Your Day” approach to dress code.
Financial literacy education and workshops.
Collaborative annual performance appraisals.
“Dollars for a Difference” program for clients and staff in need.
And more!
*Some benefits applicable to regular, full-time employees only.
We know culture matters…
We spend many hours of our day working.
Workplace culture affects our well-being, how we feel about coming to work, and how we perform.
Oakland Family Services prioritizes having a healthy, inclusive, equitable, and effective workplace culture.
That’s why we proudly have twelve (12) defined cultural value statements that dictate how we operate.
Cultural values are embedded into all we do and how we do it!
…more about our award-Winning culture
Our CEO wants to get to know staff personally and has an open-door policy. She hosts regular staff lunches and townhalls to answer questions.
Open, honest, and transparent communication is celebrated.
We practice giving the benefit of the doubt.
We believe that feedback is the breakfast of champions! That’s why we have a staff suggestion program.
We want our team members to feel valued. That’s why we have a staff recognition program.
Having FUN is an important part of the job! We love hosting events such as staff recognition celebrations and luncheons, road rallies, seasonal parties, food truck lunches, ice cream days, surprise giveaways, spirit weeks, Bring Your Child to Work Day, cook off/bake off contests, and more.
The Childcare Assistant is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of the center and classrooms in Oakland Family Services Children’s Learning Centers (CLC). The Childcare Assistant will provide overall center support, assist in maintaining ratios, provide care and supervision of children and implement developmentally appropriate activities with classroom teachers. This position reports to the Early Childhood Education Site Manager/Supervisor.
Assist in the implementation of developmentally appropriate, engaging activities using the High Scope approach to learning with children.
Provide classroom coverage in the absence of Lead and/or Assistant Teacher.
Assist in maintaining accurate child records.
Maintain and adhere to standards of State licensure including knowledge of all licensing rules and timely reporting of potential violations to both internal and external authorities.
Participate in daily and weekly team planning meetings to support the creation of lesson plans, discuss classroom support needs and coordinate task responsibilities with the Lead Teacher and/or Assistant Teacher.
Implements coaching, mentoring, feedback and professional development suggestions and strategies provided by the classroom lead teacher.
Assist in implementing children’s behavioral support plans as needed.
Collaborate with classroom partners, supervisor and administrative team members on curriculum, student, and center needs.
Provide support in the maintenance of a clean, healthy, and esthetically pleasing learning environment for children.
Provide active supervision to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child.
Participate in professional development opportunities, meetings, and other program and agency activities as required by licensing, accreditation, and other funding requirements.
Support in the completion of classroom and center cleaning protocols.
Responsible for incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in work processes and in job functions. Responsible for promoting a feeling of welcoming, belonging, and acceptance to all clients and staff.
Other duties as assigned.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to be physical and capable of successfully managing an early learning environment. The employee is frequently required to sit and/or stand for 8 hours or more. Staff must have the ability to reach with hands and arms and must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) preferred.
Experience working with children 12 months through 12 years old or demonstrated knowledge of child development.
Experience utilizing or willingness to learn and implement the High Scope approach.
Communication skills that focus on positive and professional communication with parents and children.
Abilities and skills in the team approach to problem solving and task completion.
Selected candidates for this position must possess a sensitivity to the diversity of the agency’s service population including (but not limited to) differences of culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic.
Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the agency also will be considered. There may be some standards above that may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and experience working with children aged 12 months to 12 years. A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is preferred, along with a willingness to implement the High Scope approach.
Market context
In Michigan, teaching assistant openings often reflect steady demand in Title I and other school support settings, especially for candidates who can help with core subjects and classroom routines. These roles can be competitive because schools often prefer applicants with prior school or child-focused experience and strong fit for paraprofessional requirements. Review the AI-summarized job requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your Title I eligibility and highlight any school-based experience in your application.