Preschool Assistant Teacher

Chs Kids; Elizabethtown (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning seeks an Assistant Teacher to support Lead and Associate Teachers in delivering daily programs for children birth to age 5. You will help implement lesson plans, engage children to foster development, and maintain a safe, nurturing classroom environment in a fast-paced center opening mid-2027.

On the CHS professional track, you’ll participate in Seeds to Lead, a six-month paid onboarding to ready you for fidelity to the CHS model as the center opens.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or CDA readiness within two years of hire.
• CDA Accreditation from the Council of Professional Recognition preferred.
• Up to 1 year experience with birth to 5 years/early childhood education.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher with lesson plan implementation linked to child outcomes.
• Participate in classroom coaching cycles.
• Engage with children to support development and learning.
• Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.
• Communicate with families through approved channels.
• Maintain daily attendance and meal participation reports.

Skills

MS Office Suite

Education

High School Diploma or CDA readiness

CDA Accreditation preferred

PA ECE Pathway Level A or B

Tools

MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Assistant Teacher is motivated by the opportunity to help children learn by supporting classroom activities. This individual is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher and the Associate Teacher in implementing the daily program for children. The Assistant Teacher is expected to encourage the social and emotional learning of children through engagement during group and individual learning experiences. The Assistant Teacher reports to the Assistant Director with progress, updates, risks, and issues. The starting pay rate is approximately $19.29 to $20.08 per hour, based on experience.

Candidate review and selection is currently underway for this position. The anticipated start date for the position is 01/05/2027.

As part of their employment, successful candidates will participate in Seeds to Lead, CHS's six-month pre-opening professional learning program. This structured onboarding and paid professional experience equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on practice needed to confidently implement the CHS model to fidelity from day one when the center opens.

The center is expected to begin operations in the Summer of 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Lead Teacher and the Associate Teacher with the implementation of classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines and schedules
• Participating in classroom coaching cycles
• Engaging with children to support development and learning
• Supervising and providing a safe and nurturing environment for children
• Recognizing the needs of individual children and groups
• Providing the appropriate social emotional and learning supports
• Providing a safe and nurturing environment
• Assisting children with self-help and hygiene
• Completing all required program documentation and submitting them in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher
• As assigned by the Lead Teacher, communicating with families through program approved channels
• Completing daily attendance and meal participation reports
• Remaining compliant with all state licensing requirements as they pertain to health, safety, and professional requirements
• Acting as a role model for child development
• Maintaining confidentiality as it pertains to program, staff, and families

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma with the ability to obtain the CDA (Child Development Associate) Accreditation within two years of hire, or qualifications equivalent to CDA (12 college credits in Early Childhood education, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development)
• CDA (Child Development Associate) Accreditation from the Council of Professional Recognition preferred
• Up to 1 year experience working with children from birth - 5 years/Early Childhood Education
• Level A or B certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families preferred
• Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and /or willingness to learn
• Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
• Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
• Ability to physically interact with children (e.g., talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, etc.) and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
• Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for children
• U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who we are and what we’re looking for

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

At Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, we nurture children, support them in discovering their world, and help them grow to reach their fullest potential. We are passionate educators, caregivers, and role models dedicated to successful early childhood development. We believe that a rich and solid foundation, along with a nurturing and supportive environment, is critical to helping children grow. We focus on the whole child, helping them flourish in mind and body. And we set them on a path to become their strongest, brightest, and best selves in school and beyond.

Catherine Hershey's dream was to provide children with a well-rounded education. That dream lives on in her name and is our mission at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and are staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law (collectively "Protected Characteristics"), against any applicant for admission, enrolled children, or any other individuals who participate in the programs, services, and activities at our Centers.