Classroom Substitute - North Sarasota Sites

The Classroom Substitute is accountable for assisting the Education and Child Development staff in creating and implementing a safe, healthy, supervised, and developmentally appropriate program in accordance with all relevant standards, accreditation, licensing, policies and procedures to promote the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of all children in the program. Classroom Substitutes, depending on qualifications and staffing needs may work in Early Head Start, Head Start, and Extended Care classrooms.

Children First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Licenses/Certifications

• ­Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record – proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation.
• ­Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division.
• ­Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years.
• ­Certification in First Aid and Adult, Infant and Child CPR.

Education/Equivalent Experience

• ­Minimum Required: The same educational qualifications needed for the position substituting.
• ­State mandated 45-hour coursework completion or ability to complete within established timeframes.
• One (1) year experience working in an early childhood setting with a diverse population of children ages Birth to Five.

Demonstrate/Knowledge to:

• ­Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions.
• ­Plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation.
• ­Set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• ­Use technology to plan, record, report and monitor education and child development services.

Skill/Ability to:

• ­Speak, read and write English; bilingual language(s) is helpful.
• ­Collect, analyze and utilize data to plan and monitor growth in child outcomes and school readiness, required when long-term substitute.
• ­Solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
• ­Manage time, solve problems and make appropriate decisions in varying situations.
• ­Work collaboratively and cooperatively with fellow staff, parents, and community representatives.

Physical/Mental Demands

• ­Lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs.
• ­Kneels, stoops, bends, reaches and sits on floor to attend to children’s needs
• ­Sitting, for working at keyboard and desk, standing, driving for home and site visits
• ­Moves quickly in response to active children in need of redirection to protect their and others safety
• ­Uses manual dexterity, reaches with hands and arms, stretches, and talks or hears
• ­Responds both physically and mentally to emergency or crisis situations

Environmental Conditions

• ­Variability in temperature, environment and noise.
• ­Potential sensory response associated with toileting and/or children who are ill.
• ­Contact with children who are ill and/or possibly contagious.
• ­Contact with chemicals to clean and sanitize equipment and facility.

Please see the link below to the new care provider background screening clearinghouse education and awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, “Every specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity.”