Preschool Teacher Assistant

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 23,694 - 25,072; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Yakima seeks a Preschool Teacher Assistant to support the Lead Teacher in providing quality early childhood education. Responsibilities include implementing educational activities, fostering emotional support, and maintaining a safe learning environment. Ideal candidates will have a passion for working with young children and their families. This full-time role offers a pay range of $17.20/hr - $18.20/hr based on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood education preferred.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with children and families.
• Knowledge of child development principles.

Responsibilities

• Implement activities supporting children's health and education.
• Maintain a positive emotional climate in the classroom.
• Ensure safety and sanitation standards are met.

Skills

Positive interactions with children

Establishing a learning environment

Effective communication with parents

Individualized developmental approach

Job description

Join to apply for the Preschool Teacher Assistant role at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington.

Pay range: $17.20/hr - $18.20/hr (actual pay will be based on skills and experience).

The Teacher Assistant position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the overall care and planning for the classroom and individual children, including the learning environment and volunteers. The Teacher Assistant under the direction of the Lead Teacher provides and implements a developmentally and culturally appropriate early childhood experience for children.

Responsibilities

• Implement activities and experiences supporting children’s health, education, and social‑emotional development.
• Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achiever quality standards, and ECEAP if applicable.
• Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage an individualized approach to the developmental level and learning style of each child.
• Foster a positive emotional climate in the classroom based on licensing standards.
• Provide guidance and support through positive interactions between children and adults.
• Maintain an atmosphere that encourages open communication with children and adults through back‑and‑forth conversations, warm, nurturing tones, and being at the child’s level.
• Help children understand, acquire and use verbal and non‑verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
• Create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.
• Communicate with parents on a daily basis by greeting them and discussing, as needed, events of the children’s day.
• Communicate with parents regarding classroom‑to‑classroom transitions, as applicable.
• Maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date timesheet by clocking in and out on a consistent basis; schedule a substitute when planning time off.
• Maintain inventory and upkeep of classroom supplies and materials; report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor.
• Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment through use of the Safety and Sanitation Checklist.
• Apply health standards and care for the children and classroom according to licensing, Early Achiever, and ECEAP standards.
• Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
• Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, lead teacher meetings, teacher learning groups, and other assigned meetings as required.

Seniority Level

Entry level

Employment Type

Full‑time