Substitute Child Care Teacher

Zero to Five Montana – Substitute Solutions 

Job Position: Substitute Child Care Teacher 

Position Type: As needed / Substitute 

Reports to: Program Director or On-site Lead Teacher 

Wage: Child care programs list wage on Alliance CARE 

Position Summary:  

The Substitute Child Care Teacher provides high-quality, developmentally appropriate care for children in licensed and registered child care programs in the state of Montana. The role supports programs by maintaining safe, nurturing, and engaging environments in alignment with Montana Child Care Licensing Requirements 

The substitute follows all licensing rules, provider-specific policies, and established daily routines to ensure continuity of care during staff shortages.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Child Supervision & Safety  
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios at all times and never leave children unsupervised. 
• Conduct active supervision, including positioning, scanning, and engaging with children 
• Ensure safe sleep practices for infants in compliance with state safe sleep regulations. 
• Monitor indoor/outdoor environments for hazards and follow sanitation and health policies.  
• Respond immediately to injuries, incidents, or emergencies per the program’s emergency plan.  
• Health, Hygiene and Licensing Compliance 
• Follow sanitation and diapering procedures, including handwashing and glove use. 
• Adhere to illness exclusion policies and document symptoms according to licensing rules. 
• Comply with medication administration policies if permitted and trained. 
• Implement food safety guidelines and support mealtimes in alignment with CACFP standards (when applicable). 

Curriculum & Daily Routines 

• Support age-appropriate routines including arrivals, meals, rest time and transitions 
• Facilitate learning experiences that promote social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.  
• Follow lesson plans and activity schedules provided by the site’s lead teacher or director. 
• Encourage positive guidance strategies; no punitive, humiliating or restrictive practices.  

Communication & Documentation 

• Maintain professional communication with staff, families, and children. 
• Document incidents, injuries, or unusual behaviors according to licensing procedures. 
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter under Montana Law. 

Collaboration & Professional Responsibility 

• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready to follow all site-specific policies. 
• Adapt quickly to new environments, routines, and expectations. 
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information. 
• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and positive relationship-building. 

Additional responsibilities:  

It is the expectation of substitute teachers to have a mandatory responsibility to report any signs of neglect, physical, and sexual abuse.   

General understanding use of devices and software for procedure and policy of child care program 

Qualifications & Licensing Requirements 

Required 

• Must be 16 years of age or older 
• Must complete a Montana Child Care Licensing background check, including fingerprints 
• Completion of required orientation classes 
  • New Staff Health & Safety Orientation 
  • Early Childhood Essentials  
  • Infant Safety Essentials: practices including Safe Sleep Preventions and Shaken Baby Syndrome 
  • Together We Grow 
  • CPR/FA (pediatric-focused) 
• Be an active member Practitioner Registry  

Preferred 

• Experience in a licensed child care, preschool, or early education setting. 
• CDA, early childhood coursework, or related training. 
• Ability to quickly adjust to new environments, classrooms, and teaching teams. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are important. 
• Comfortable working with mixed-age groups.