Assistant Preschool Teacher

Job Purpose

As an Assistant Preschool Teacher, you will help foster a nurturing environment that is rich in developmentally appropriate activities that will encourage children's curiosity and learning. We care for the whole child as an individual including their social -- emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs.

How You Will Impact Education

• Assist in the development and implementation of lesson plan activities.
• Assess and observe children on a daily basis.
• Adjust learning goals for each child as needed.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Collaborate with co-teacher and other staff members.
• Communicate with teachers, staff, and parents in a professional manner.
• Assist with creating classroom newsletters.
• Assist with classroom documentation.
• Assist with creating and maintaining classroom and children's portfolios.
• Be familiar with Early Childhood theorists and philosophies such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Reggio Amelia, Montessori, and others.
• Participate in at least 25 hours of professional development per year.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Communicate with co-teacher and other staff members on a daily basis.
• Mentor and train new staff as needed.
• Collaborate with other staff members to plan activities.
• Lead by example in the classroom and school
• Ensure children's safety and well-being at all times.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Be a team player and an active, engaged member of the teaching staff.
• Communicate with parents daily regarding the child's progress and development.
• Maintain a positive can-do attitude.
• Maintain accreditation and state childcare standards.
• Uphold company vision and mission at all times.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma/GED
• CDA - preferred
• 1-year experience working in a licensed childcare facility
• Meets state childcare education requirements.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)
• Familiar with NAEYC standards
• Familiar with continuity of care
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to maintain professional composure in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Familiar with accreditation process -- preferred
• College level coursework, Associate's, or Bachelor's degree - preferred
• Must be able to sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 40lbs.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• VPK certified if applicable.
• May perform other duties as assigned.
• The following childcare training courses must be completed within specified timeframes:
  • Preschool Appropriate Practices - upon hire
  • Florida early learning and developmental standards- Birth to kindergarten (2017) Online -- upon hire
  • Florida early learning and developmental standards- Birth to kindergarten (2017) Instructor-Led - within 180 days of employment
  • Special Needs Appropriate Practices -- within 90 days of employment
  • CPR and First Aid -- within 90 days of employment
  • Other training requirements identified by leadership team.

Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter:

• Usual school working conditions.
• May be noisy during high student traffic.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• No physical exertion required.
• Somewhat stressful due to frequent student activity.
• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.

FLSA Overtime Category

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.