East Bay Community Action Program·Newport, Rhode Island
The substitute teacher is responsible for following lesson plans, maintaining classroom routines, and providing continuous supervision to ensure a safe and nurturing environment. They must also assist with meal service, transitions, and cleaning tasks while reporting any safety or policy concerns to the Education Coordinator.
East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is seeking dependable and caring On-Call Substitute Teachers to support classrooms at our Newport (Chafee) Head Start Center. This role is essential to maintaining safe staff-to-child ratios, classroom continuity, and a calm, nurturing learning environment when regular teaching staff are out.
On-Call Substitute Teachers are scheduled as needed and may receive same-day or short-notice assignments. This is an excellent entry-level opportunity for individuals interested in early childhood education, Head Start, or community-based work, with potential pathways into more regular roles.
Status: Part-time, On-Call / Per Diem Schedule: Monday–Friday, variable shifts between approximately 7:00 AM–5:00 PM Location: In-person at the Chafee Head Start Center (Newport) Pay Range: $16.00–$23.95 per hour (based on education and credentials) Funding: Grant-funded (Head Start & childcare revenue) through January 2027 Why Join EBCAP? Support children’s learning and well-being during critical early years Gain hands-on experience in a high-quality Head Start program Join a mission-driven organization committed to equity and community impact Build experience that may lead to regular or full-time opportunities
Key Responsibilities What You’ll Do Follow daily lesson plans and classroom routines prepared by permanent teaching staff Provide continuous supervision of children during classroom activities, meals, rest periods, toileting, and outdoor play Support children using established positive behavior guidance strategies Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom environment Assist with family-style meal service and daily transitions Greet families and communicate basic information at arrival and departure, following staff guidance Complete assigned cleaning and sanitizing tasks Report safety concerns, incidents, or policy issues promptly to the Education Coordinator Attend required trainings and remain current on program expectations Remain flexible and responsive to on-call staffing needs at the Chafee site
Qualifications: Who Thrives in This Role
Are attentive, calm, and genuinely enjoy working with young children Notice needs and step in appropriately without always being directed Follow guidance well and work collaboratively with classroom teams Show up reliably, on time, and ready to help Value professionalism, confidentiality, and teamwork We hire for heart, judgment, and reliability, and provide training for the technical aspects.
Experience working with young children in any setting Familiarity with Head Start or licensed childcare programs Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, or Cape Verdean Creole strongly valued) Current Pediatric First Aid & CPR certification
Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED, CDA credential, or an associate/bachelor degree in early childhood education or a related field. Candidates should be reliable, attentive, and capable of working variable on-call shifts at the Newport facility.
Market context
Rhode Island schools often need substitute teachers to cover daily absences and maintain classroom continuity, especially in special education settings where consistency matters. These roles can be competitive because districts look for candidates with the right certification, relevant experience, and comfort supporting students with diverse needs. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your Rhode Island Department of Education certification and highlight any special education experience in your application.
