Building Substitute

Position Summary

The Sunnyside Academy is seeking a dependable, adaptable, and responsive individual to serve as a Building Substitute.

The Building Substitute provides coverage for employee absences, scheduled leave, training, appointments, and other staffing needs throughout the center. This position is designed for an individual who enjoys variety, can comfortably work in different classrooms and age groups, and is willing to support the center wherever their assistance is most beneficial.

The Building Substitute may work up to 40 hours per week. While hours are based on staffing and operational needs and are not guaranteed, The Sunnyside Academy generally has opportunities for an effective and productive Building Substitute to assist throughout the center even when direct substitute coverage is not needed.

Previous childcare experience and Early Childhood Education coursework are preferred but are not required. The Sunnyside Academy is willing to train candidates who demonstrate strong reliability, professionalism, patience, initiative, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.

Scheduling & Availability

The Building Substitute position provides more scheduling variety than a regularly assigned classroom position while still providing structure whenever possible.

When there are no scheduled employee absences requiring specific coverage, the Building Substitute will generally be provided with an established work schedule.

When planned absences are known in advance, the employee's schedule may be adjusted to provide the coverage needed for the absent staff member. Depending on the assignment, this could include an earlier or later start time, opening or closing responsibilities, or a different classroom assignment.

Occasionally, an unexpected staffing need may result in a request to adjust an established schedule. The Sunnyside Academy understands that employees may not always be able to accommodate a last-minute scheduling change and will utilize other available staffing options when appropriate.

The nature of substitute coverage means that daily responsibilities may vary even when scheduled working hours remain consistent.

Hours & Productive Work Expectations

This position may provide up to 40 hours of work per week, depending on staffing needs and the employee's ability to remain productive and effectively support center operations.

When direct substitute coverage is no longer needed, the Building Substitute may have the opportunity to remain at work and assist with other productive responsibilities throughout the center. 

These may include supporting classrooms, providing additional staff coverage, cleaning and sanitizing, organizing materials, preparing or gathering supplies, assisting with office tasks, completing approved training or professional development, or addressing other identified center needs.

Employees are expected to use scheduled work time productively and to seek direction when they have completed an assigned responsibility and are unsure what should be completed next.

Remaining on the clock is dependent upon meaningful and productive work being available and performed. Hours are not guaranteed solely for the purpose of reaching 40 hours per week.

At times, an employee may be offered the opportunity to leave earlier when direct coverage is no longer needed. When productive work remains available and the employee is effectively completing assigned responsibilities, the employee may generally continue working within their approved schedule.

The goal of this position is to provide flexibility for both the employee and the center while ensuring that paid working time is used effectively.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Substitute Classroom Coverage

The Building Substitute may be assigned to classrooms serving children of different ages and developmental stages.

Responsibilities may include:

• Providing classroom coverage for absent employees.
• Maintaining required staff to child ratios.
• Following established classroom schedules and routines.
• Receiving and following information provided by classroom staff or administration.
• Maintaining consistency with classroom expectations whenever possible.
• Supporting children during activities, meals, toileting, rest periods, transitions, and outdoor play.
• Assisting with classroom opening or closing responsibilities when assigned.
• Supporting classroom teachers when additional staffing assistance is needed.
• Adapting appropriately to different classrooms, age groups, and daily routines.

The Building Substitute should be prepared to step into an established classroom environment and continue the routine already in place.

Active Supervision & Child Safety

When assigned responsibility for children, the Building Substitute is expected to provide the same level of active supervision required of regularly assigned classroom educators.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining active supervision of children at all times.
• Knowing the number of children assigned to their care.
• Maintaining applicable staff to child ratios.
• Remaining aware of children's locations and activities.
• Positioning themselves appropriately throughout indoor and outdoor environments.
• Supervising children during classroom activities, meals, toileting, rest periods, transitions, and outdoor play.
• Responding promptly to children's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
• Following classroom specific information regarding allergies, medical needs, dietary requirements, and individual care plans.
• Following all applicable health, safety, supervision, and licensing requirements.
• Promptly reporting injuries, incidents, safety concerns, or other concerns according to center procedures.

Working With Multiple Age Groups

Building Substitutes may be assigned to classrooms serving children of different ages.

Depending on assignment, responsibilities may include working with infants, toddlers, two-year-olds, preschool or PreK children, and other age groups served by the center.

Employees must be willing to learn and follow developmentally appropriate practices for each age group.

Responsibilities may include:

• Feeding and caring for infants.
• Holding, comforting, and appropriately interacting with infants and young children.
• Changing diapers and assisting with personal care.
• Supporting toilet learning.
• Responding to toileting accidents.
• Assisting with handwashing and hygiene.
• Supporting daily classroom transitions.
• Participating in preschool and PreK activities.
• Supporting age-appropriate independence.
• Assisting with learning experiences.
• Supervising indoor and outdoor activities.
• Supporting children during meals and snacks.
• Assisting with rest and nap routines.

A preference for a particular age group does not guarantee assignment to that age group.

Diapering, Toileting & Personal Care

Personal care may be part of a Building Substitute's responsibilities when assigned to applicable classrooms.

Employees must be willing to:

• Change diapers and pull ups.
• Assist with toilet learning.
• Respond appropriately to toileting accidents.
• Assist children with wet or soiled clothing.
• Support proper handwashing and hygiene.
• Follow required diapering, toileting, sanitation, and infection control procedures.
• Safely assist or steady children during personal care routines when necessary.
• Maintain children's privacy and dignity.
• Provide personal care without punishment, embarrassment, or shame.

Learning & Classroom Participation

Building Substitutes are expected to actively participate in the classroom environment while providing coverage.

Depending on assignment, responsibilities may include:

• Following activities prepared by the classroom teacher.
• Reading and communicating with children.
• Participating in music, movement, art, sensory activities, and other learning experiences.
• Supporting language, social emotional, fine motor, and gross motor development.
• Assisting children with classroom routines and transitions.
• Supporting age-appropriate independence.
• Preparing or organizing classroom materials.
• Maintaining classroom learning areas.
• Following instructions provided by Lead Teachers, classroom staff, or administration.

Meals, Snacks & Rest Periods

Depending on assignment, Building Substitutes may be responsible for:

• Preparing classroom areas for meals and snacks.
• Serving food according to established procedures.
• Actively supervising children during meals.
• Following applicable allergy and dietary information.
• Supporting age-appropriate mealtime routines.
• Cleaning and sanitizing eating areas.
• Assisting with meal and snack cleanup.
• Preparing children and classroom areas for rest periods.
• Supervising children during rest or nap periods.
• Assisting children as they transition into and out of rest periods.

Cleaning, Organization & Center Support

When classroom coverage is not immediately required, the Building Substitute may be asked to assist with other reasonable center responsibilities.

These may include:

• Cleaning and sanitizing classroom or common areas.
• Organizing classroom materials or supplies.
• Preparing or gathering classroom materials.
• Assisting with office tasks.
• Delivering supplies throughout the center.
• Helping prepare classrooms for upcoming activities.
• Supporting opening or closing responsibilities.
• Completing routine organizational tasks.
• Providing additional classroom support where beneficial.
• Completing other reasonable center responsibilities as directed by administration.

Employees are expected to remain productive during scheduled work time, including periods when substitute classroom coverage is not immediately required.

Attendance, Reliability & Communication

Dependability is an essential component of the Building Substitute position.

The Sunnyside Academy relies on substitutes to provide coverage when regularly scheduled employees are unavailable. Employees in this role are expected to:

• Report to scheduled assignments on time.
• Maintain accurate and current availability with administration.
• Respond to scheduling requests within a reasonable timeframe.
• Communicate promptly when unable to accommodate a requested schedule adjustment.
• Follow established procedures when unable to report for a previously accepted or scheduled assignment.
• Maintain professional and reliable communication regarding scheduling.

The Sunnyside Academy understands that employees may not be available for every unexpected scheduling request. However, consistent communication and reasonable flexibility are important expectations of this position.

Personal Devices

Active supervision requires employees to remain attentive and available to the children in their care.

Personal cell phones, smart devices, and other personal electronics may not be used while supervising children or while counted within required staff to child ratios, except when specifically authorized for an emergency or legitimate work-related purpose.

Education & Professional Growth

Previous Early Childhood Education coursework or credentials are preferred but are not required for this position.

Continued education and professional growth are encouraged and supported. Building Substitutes have the opportunity to gain experience across multiple classrooms, age groups, and teaching environments, making this position a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in developing their knowledge and skills within Early Childhood Education.

The Sunnyside Academy will provide information regarding applicable education pathways, professional development opportunities, and available New Mexico Early Childhood Education scholarship programs.

Employees who choose to pursue qualifying Early Childhood Education coursework may be eligible for scholarship opportunities administered through New Mexico programs.

Training & Regulatory Requirements

Building Substitutes must maintain all training, background clearance, and professional requirements applicable to their role within a New Mexico licensed childcare facility.

Employees must:

• Meet applicable New Mexico ECECD employment requirements.
• Successfully complete and maintain required comprehensive background clearance.
• Complete fingerprinting and required background check procedures.
• Maintain required background clearance throughout employment.
• Establish and maintain a Professional Development Information System (PDIS) profile when required.
• Complete required orientation, health, safety, and professional development training.
• Maintain all ongoing training requirements established by ECECD and The Sunnyside Academy.
• Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification as required.
• Maintain required employment and regulatory documentation.
• Comply with applicable New Mexico childcare licensing requirements.
• Comply with The Sunnyside Academy's policies, procedures, confidentiality requirements, and professional standards.

Current CPR and First Aid certification is preferred but is not required at the time of application. The Sunnyside Academy coordinates required CPR and First Aid training for employees who are not currently certified.

Physical Requirements

The Building Substitute position requires regular physical activity and the ability to work in environments designed for children of varying ages.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation when applicable, including:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Frequently bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
• Sitting at child level and on the floor.
• Repeatedly transitioning between standing and floor level.
• Moving throughout indoor and outdoor environments while actively supervising children.
• Safely assisting or steadying children during personal care and daily routines.
• Responding promptly when necessary to protect a child's health or safety.
• Participating in indoor and outdoor classroom activities.
• Handling routine classroom materials, equipment, meals, and supplies.

Professional Expectations

Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate:

• Dependability and punctuality.
• Reasonable scheduling flexibility.
• Initiative and productive use of working time.
• Clear and timely communication.
• Professional conduct.
• Patience and appropriate interactions with children.
• Ability to adapt to different classrooms and age groups.
• Ability to follow established classroom schedules and routines.
• Ability to accept direction from different Lead Teachers and administrators.
• Willingness to participate fully in diapering, toileting, cleaning, meals, supervision, and other classroom responsibilities.
• Ability to identify productive work and seek additional direction when assignments are completed.
• Ability to work independently when completing center support tasks.
• Willingness to accept constructive feedback.
• Appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Commitment to maintaining required professional training.
• Interest in continued professional growth.
• Commitment to providing children with safe, respectful, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care.

Apply

Candidates interested in the Building Substitute position are encouraged to submit an application for consideration.

The Sunnyside Academy is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws.