PreK Teacher Assistant (Start Date 8.3.26)

Black River Area Development, Corp.; Pocahontas (AR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

Employer Matched 401k

Sick, annual, and holiday pay

Job summary

Black River Area Development, Corp. in Pocahontas, AR is seeking a PreK Teacher Assistant to support preschool children’s learning and safety. This role involves instructing children in enriching activities while following strict safety protocols and engaging families in their children’s education.

Ideal candidates will hold an AA in Early Childhood Education or a CDA and possess strong communication skills. Benefits include health insurance after 60 days and a 401k plan.

Qualifications

• Experience working with preschool-age children is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret safety and procedure documents.
• Current driver’s license, First Aid and CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

• Instruct children in activities promoting growth.
• Follow health protocols to ensure child safety.
• Encourage parent engagement in children's education.
• Implement trauma-informed practices in the classroom.

Skills

Communication

Child Development Knowledge

Safety Protocols

Flexibility

Education

AA in Early Childhood Education or CDA

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

PreK Teacher Assistant (Start Date 8.3.26)

• at the Black River Child Development Center
• Date Posted: May 29, 2026

Job Responsibilities

Summary:

Carry out the mission statement of BRAD Child Development Programs: Close the achievement gap by focusing on positive child and family outcomes; resulting in a better future for children, families and communities. Instruct children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for later success in life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. ( Other duties may be assigned.)

Education

• Improve school readiness for children in literacy and math – with classroom experiences that enrich social, cognitive, physical and emotional development utilizing
• Maintain an environment that allows children to explore and learn by helping to carry out lesson plans and create meaningful experiences
• Use provided professional development opportunities to grow professionally

Health & Safety

• Follow Mandated Reporter protocols in an effort to protect young children from suspected neglect/abuse
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children’s health at all times
• Prioritize the safety of children using active supervision at all times
• Maintain and follow Emergency Healthcare plans for children
• Complete required protocol for health practices with and for children.
• Extend learning opportunities in small groups about health and safety
• Maintain a safe, healthy learning environment through cleaning & sanitation

Family Services/ERSEA

• Encourage attendance and participation in Parent Meeting and Parent Engagement Activities
• Encourage parents to read at home and track lending library books
• Recruit and promote regular attendance
• Assist children and model family style dining (setting the table/ serving)
• Encourage healthy food habits among children.
• Extend learning opportunities at meal times by engaging children in conversation

Mental Health

• Implement trauma-informed social-emotional curriculum, Conscious Discipline, in the classroom setting
• Provide positive support in teaching practices with children and families

Professional Development

• Complete and/or maintain all applicable certifications as required for the position
• Actively participate in center-based meetings, as applicable.
• Attend workshops and training programs to improve skills, increase awareness and enhance knowledge.
• Participate in cross-training initiatives for various roles to promote a well-rounded understanding of departmental functions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent required in addition to AA in Early Childhood Education or CDA. Experience working with preschool-age children is preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Computes accurate numerical reports such as in-kind, mileage forms, and timesheets.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be willing to advance computer skills as needed for the job.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Current driver’s license, First Aid and CPR certification, & Health Assessment.

Other Skills and Abilities: Skilled at reading aloud to children, using expression and emotion. Skilled at communicating and working with adults and young children. Willingness to sing and dance with children regardless of ability.

Other Qualifications: Must be able to attend evening classes, or meetings. Must be able to travel out of town to attend meetings or training that involves overnight stay up to one week if necessary. Must be able to work flexible hours and/or overtime if necessary for extended care programs and parent meetings as needed.

Training & Safety Culture: Flexibility to attend evening greetings or training as needed; willingness to travel for training and conferences. Attend necessary training to assure program compliance. Assure documentation collected is accurate to determine client eligibility for all programs such as Home Energy Assistance. Completion of all required training is mandatory. Employees must consistently adhere to and support the organization’s culture of safety by following safety policies, participating in safety-related training, and contributing to a safe work environment.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch, and sit on the floor with children. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

AP/EEO Statement

BRAD is committed to equal employment opportunity and a discrimination-free workplace in accordance with all applicable laws.

Schedule

Monday – Friday 7:30AM – 4PM

Job Start Date: August 3rd 2026

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application and take the first step toward making a difference with BRAD.

BRAD Child Development Programs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BRAD Child Development Programs offers sick, annual, and holiday pay. Employer Matched 401k. Also eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance after 60 days of employment. BRAD requires pre-employment background checks and drug screening.