The Role
The Classroom Aide supports infants and toddlers by ensuring safe meals, clean classrooms, and overall program continuity in a hands-on role.
Summary Generated by Built In
East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is seeking a Classroom Aide to join our Early Head Start team at our Newport/Chafee location. This is a hands-on, in-person role supporting infants and toddlers by ensuring safe meals, clean and sanitary classrooms, and smooth daily transitions—giving teachers the support they need to focus on child growth and development.
This position is an excellent entry point for individuals interested in a career pathway in early childhood education or human services.
About the Role
The Classroom Aide is an integral member of the Early Head Start classroom team, responsible for meal preparation and nutrition compliance, classroom sanitation, and providing reliable classroom coverage throughout the day. This role directly supports child health and safety, program continuity, and compliance with Head Start and USDA CACFP standards.
This is a full-time, in-person position, funded through childcare revenue and designed to support long-term program sustainability.
Why This Role Matters
By supporting food service, sanitation, and classroom operations, the Classroom Aide helps maintain safe adult-to-child ratios, reduces teacher burnout, and ensures that infants and toddlers receive consistent, high-quality care in a nurturing environment. This role plays a key part in creating stable, well-functioning classrooms that support both children and staff.
Key Responsibilities
Meal Preparation & Nutrition Compliance
- Prepare, portion, and serve meals and snacks in accordance with USDA CACFP standards
- Safely prepare infant bottles according to individualized feeding plans
- Maintain awareness of food allergies and special dietary needs
- Sanitize kitchen equipment, dishes, and food service areas after meals
- Restock classroom refrigerators and maintain required temperature logs
Healthy Learning Environment
- Complete daily cleaning and sanitizing of classroom and food service areas
- Manage classroom laundry so linens and comfort items are clean and available
- Sanitize toys and learning materials per established schedules
- Monitor and restock classroom supplies such as diapers, wipes, and paper products
Classroom Coverage & Program Continuity
- Provide classroom coverage during teacher breaks and planning time
- Support smooth transitions during arrivals, departures, and nap routines
- Assist with playground safety checks and emergency preparedness audits
- Step into kitchen aide duties as needed to maintain uninterrupted service
Qualifications
Required
- Prior experience in food service, childcare, or a related environment
- Ability to follow safety, sanitation, and checklist-based procedures
- Willingness to obtain Food Safety Certification within 90 days of hire
- Current or ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification
- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role (lifting up to 40 lbs, standing, bending, and working at floor level)
Preferred
- Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, or CACFP-regulated environments
- Bilingual skills (Spanish, Portuguese, or Cape Verdean Creole)
- Interest in pursuing a long-term career in early childhood education or human services
Schedule & Work Environment
- Full-Time (30+ hours per week)
- Monday–Friday
- Standard hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This schedule is consistent; however, limited flexibility may be required on occasion.
- In-person role at the Newport/Chafee site
Benefits
- Hourly rate: $16.50 – $19.50
- Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (after one year)
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, personal and sick time)
- Mileage reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Agency-paid training and professional development
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Supportive, mission-driven team environment
Apply Today
If you enjoy working with young children, value cleanliness and safety, and want to contribute to a program that supports families and early childhood development, we encourage you to apply and join the EBCAP Early Head Start team.
About
East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides high-quality, comprehensive, and accessible health and human services to people across eastern Rhode Island. Founded as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty in 1965, EBCAP now serves ten communities with over 20 distinct programs — including primary medical and dental care, behavioral health services, early childhood education, and community support programs for children, youth, families, adults, and seniors.Our 521 employees work across more than ten locations, addressing everything from immediate needs like food and housing to long-term health and wellness. If you are looking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Rhode Islanders, we encourage you to apply.
Skills Required
- Prior experience in food service, childcare, or a related environment
- Willingness to obtain Food Safety Certification within 90 days of hire
- Current or ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification
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The Company
What We Do
East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is a private, non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive range of health and human services to residents in Rhode Island's East Bay area. Their offerings include health and dental services, behavioral health programs, and various community initiatives aimed at supporting individuals and families of all ages. EBCAP is dedicated to helping clients achieve their full potential by connecting them with the appropriate services at the right time.
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