Preschool Teacher Assistant

Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc.; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc. is seeking a dedicated Teacher Assistant to join the preschool instructional team.

You will work closely with the Preschool Teacher to plan, implement, and assess developmentally appropriate activities, ensuring a safe, engaging classroom where children can learn and thrive.

Qualifications

• CDA Preschool Endorsement or ParaPro Assessment or degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Understand developmentally appropriate instruction and child development principles.
• Strong communication and collaboration with instructional teams.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing coaching and professional growth.
• Meet background checks, health, clearance, and training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily lessons and routines, support learning centers.
• Lead small-group activities and read-aloud sessions.
• Document children's progress using the designated system.
• Provide individualized support following approved plans.
• Maintain a safe, engaging classroom environment.
• Collaborate with Preschool Teacher on curriculum planning and assessment.

Skills

Team collaboration

Technology for documentation

Observation and assessment

Education

CDA Credential with Preschool Endorsement

ParaPro Assessment

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Tools

Electronic assessment system

Job description

About Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc.

Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc. is a nonprofit early childhood education organization dedicated to preparing children for lifelong success through exceptional educational experiences, strong family partnerships, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children through a variety of high-quality early childhood programs designed to foster academic achievement, social-emotional development, and school readiness.

Our team is united by a commitment to professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and excellence. We believe that every child deserves educators who are knowledgeable, compassionate, and committed to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environments where children can thrive.

At Clinton Hill, we invest in our employees through professional development, coaching, and opportunities for growth while maintaining high expectations for performance and ethical conduct. We seek individuals who embrace continuous learning, demonstrate initiative, communicate with professionalism, and are passionate about making a lasting impact on children, families, and our community.

If you are looking to join an organization where your work matters every day and excellence is the standard—not the exception,we encourage you to apply.

About the role

Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center is seeking an engaged, dependable, and reflective Teacher Assistant to serve as an active member of the preschool classroom instructional team.

Working collaboratively with the Preschool Teacher, the Teacher Assistant prepares for and delivers developmentally appropriate learning experiences, leads assigned instructional activities, observes and documents children’s progress, and provides individualized support responsive to each child’s strengths and learning needs.

The Teacher Assistant is an instructional partner who understands the classroom’s learning goals and contributes directly to curriculum implementation, assessment, classroom planning, and children’s developmental progress. Through purposeful interactions, responsive instruction, and positive classroom support, the Teacher Assistant helps create a safe, nurturing, and academically engaging environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

What you'll do

• Help implement daily lessons, learning centers, classroom routines, and individualized learning experiences.
• Lead assigned small-group activities, read-alouds, and one-on-one learning experiences.
• Engage children in purposeful conversations and interactions that extend their learning.
• Observe and document children’s development and enter observation data into the designated electronic assessment system.
• Provide individualized support and consistently implement approved learning, behavior, and support plans.
• Use positive guidance strategies to encourage cooperation, independence, self-regulation, and positive behavior.
• Maintain active supervision and meaningful engagement throughout the school day.
• Prepare instructional materials and help maintain an organized, welcoming, and learning-ready classroom.
• Support children’s health, safety, hygiene, toileting, and personal-care needs with dignity and care.
• Collaborate with the Preschool Teacher and participate in planning, coaching, training, and professional development.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, coworkers, and school leadership.
• Follow agency policies, licensing requirements, confidentiality standards, and health and safety procedures.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess at least one of the following:

• A current Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential with a Preschool Endorsement;
• A passing score on the ParaPro Assessment; or
• An associate or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

The ideal candidate will also:

• Understand or be eager to learn about child development and developmentally appropriate instruction.
• Be warm, patient, reliable, and genuinely committed to helping children succeed.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively as part of an instructional team.
• Be comfortable using technology for classroom documentation and assessment.
• Welcome coaching, feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Meet all applicable background-check, health, clearance, and training requirements.
• Be able to perform the physical responsibilities of a preschool classroom, including sitting on the floor, bending, standing, lifting, and moving throughout indoor and outdoor learning environments.