Pre-K Teacher Assistant (HS)

YWCA; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis is seeking an assistant in our Head Start classroom to support children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.

You will help develop daily learning activities, conduct health checks, maintain a safe environment, and communicate with families to promote parental involvement.

An associate degree in early childhood education or related field with coursework in Early Childhood Education is preferred; we offer a supportive team and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of early childhood development and education.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures for young children.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and implementing developmentally appropriate activities daily.
• Conduct daily health checks and ensure environments are safe and hazard-free.
• Assist in creating learning environments in classroom and outdoor spaces for young children.
• Communicate effectively with parents to promote parental involvement in early learning.
• Maintain records for all children enrolled in the classroom.

Skills

Communication with parents

Organizational skills

Lifting 40 lbs

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Description

About YWCA

YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis (YWCA) has been serving the community for more than 120 years, providing essential, wraparound services that support women and families throughout their time in our programs. Each year, YWCA serves approximately 10,000 women and their families, offering a multitude of services. YWCA is the largest provider of direct Head Start services in Missouri, operating 8 centers and 11 partner sites, and we are proud to hold the National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association.

Why Work With Us?

• Meaningful Work - Every role at YWCA helps create positive change in the community.
• Supportive Environment - Join a team that values collaboration and mutual respect.
• Professional Development - Opportunities for training and career growth.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible scheduling and generous paid time off.
• Competitive Benefits - Health, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, and wellness programs.
• Community Impact - Be part of programs that make a real difference for women, children, and families.

Our Signature Programs

• Early Childhood Education & Childcare – Providing safe, nurturing environments for children to learn and grow.
• Family Support Services – Helping families access resources and build stability.
• Health & Wellness Initiatives – Promoting physical and mental well-being through community programs.
• Advocacy & Outreach – Connecting individuals to opportunities and support systems that improve quality of life.

Purpose

Assist in planning and implementing learning opportunities that further the children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical growth and development while acting as a support and resource for parents to ensure Head Start Program Performance Standards are met.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities

No formal responsibility. The policies associated with the job’s purpose, essential responsibilities, and operation is set by others.

Routine Decision-Making

Taking appropriate actions to assure each child’s health and safety.

Formal Supervisory Responsibility

None

Description

• Assist in developing and implementing developmentally appropriate activities on a daily basis.
• Conduct daily health checks and ensure environment is clean, safe, and free of hazards.
• Assist in developing and implementing individualized activities based on the developmental level of each child.
• Assist with creating learning environments in the classroom and outside for young children which promote experimentation and exploration.
• Communicate effectively with parents in promoting parental involvement in their child’s early learning experience.
• Assist with conducting screenings and ongoing assessments of each child’s growth and development. Use information to refer children with potential delays.
• Facilitate and assist children in developing positive relationships that support a caring community within the classroom.
• Assist with maintaining and updating records on all children enrolled in the classroom.

To perform this job satisfactorily, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability, and environmental conditions required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Required Knowledge

• A working knowledge and understanding of early childhood development and education.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures for young children.

Required Skills or Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with parents and including them in their child’s learning process.
• Organizational skills that facilitate meeting designated timelines.
• The ability to lift 40lbs.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.

Formal Education

An associate degree in early childhood education or an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ classes in Early Childhood Education or Pre‑K CDA.

YWCA of Metro St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind as defined by applicable federal, state, and local laws.