Daycare Assistant

The Center for Discovery; Harris (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Discovery is seeking a compassionate Daycare Assistant to join our team. You will help create a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, working with experienced early childhood educators to deliver hands-on learning experiences.

As part of a collaborative team, you will promote curiosity, confidence, and meaningful relationships through play, outdoor exploration, sensory activities, and developmentally appropriate care in a supportive

Qualifications

• Experience working with infants and/or young children in a daycare, preschool, or early childhood setting is required.
• Must have a genuine passion for early childhood education and child development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers in implementing engaging, play-based learning experiences for children from infancy through preschool.
• Foster a warm, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to explore.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and fellow team members.
• Assist with daily classroom routines, transitions, meals, and care while promoting independence and confidence.
• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities, sensory play, creative arts, movement, water activities, and other developmentally appropriate experiences.
• Observe children's interests and developmental milestones and support individualized learning opportunities.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Uphold The Center for Discovery's mission, values, and philosophy of person-centered care and learning.

Skills

Experience with infants/young children

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Patience and flexibility

Job description

Daycare Assistant

At The Center for Discovery, our daycare is more than a place where children are cared for—it's a place where they are inspired to learn, explore, and grow. We believe that the earliest years of life are filled with opportunities for discovery, and our play-based curriculum encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence, and meaningful relationships.

We are seeking a compassionate, energetic, and engaging Daycare Assistant to join our team. Working alongside experienced early childhood educators, you will help create a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children thrive. Every day is filled with hands‑on learning, imaginative play, outdoor exploration, sensory experiences, music, movement, and even pool-based activities designed to support children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact during the most important years of a child's development while being part of a collaborative team that values creativity, respect, and individualized learning.

Responsibilities Include

• Support teachers in implementing engaging, play-based learning experiences for children from infancy through preschool.


• Foster a warm, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to explore.


• Build positive relationships with children, families, and fellow team members.


• Assist with daily classroom routines, transitions, meals, and care while promoting independence and confidence.


• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities, sensory play, creative arts, movement, water activities, and other developmentally appropriate experiences.


• Observe children's interests and developmental milestones and support individualized learning opportunities.


• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.


• Uphold The Center for Discovery's mission, values, and philosophy of person-centered care and learning.

Qualifications

• Experience working with infants and/or young children in a daycare, preschool, or early childhood setting is required.


• A genuine passion for early childhood education and child development.


• Positive attitude, high energy, creativity, patience, and flexibility.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.


• Understanding of or willingness to embrace The Center for Discovery's philosophy of innovation, inclusion, and compassionate care.

If you're passionate about helping young children learn through play, celebrate milestones big and small, and create joyful experiences every day, we'd love to welcome you to our team.