Assistant Teacher
About The Position
The Assistant Teacher works collaboratively with the classroom teaching team to provide a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool-aged children. The role supports curriculum planning and implementation, classroom routines, child observation and assessment, family engagement, and activities that promote children's development and school readiness. The Assistant Teacher provides care and active supervision of children and supports classroom operations in accordance with program policies, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable funding and quality standards. The position is based at Farnam in New Haven, Connecticut. It is full-time, on the day shift, with a listed hourly salary range of $22.00–$28.60 and travel of up to 25%. Travel may be required for professional development opportunities. The work takes place primarily indoors in an environmentally controlled early childhood classroom, with regular outdoor activities and frequent close interaction with children, families, and coworkers.
Requirements
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
- Associate's degree in an unrelated field with 12 ECE credits.
- Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
- Ability to establish positive, nurturing, responsive relationships with young children while supporting individual developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
- Ability to maintain active supervision and ensure children's health, safety, and well-being.
- Ability to adapt to changing classroom needs, children's individual needs, and daily program priorities.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive child and family information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize responsibilities and complete documentation within established timelines.
- Ability to objectively observe children and accurately document developmental progress, behaviors, and classroom activities.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a classroom team and partner effectively with families, consultants, and other professionals.
- Ability to foster an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that respects the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities of children and families.
- Basic computer proficiency, including use of electronic documentation systems, email, and standard office software.
- Ability to perform the physical activities necessary for supervision and daily care of young children.
Nice To Haves
- Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
- Experience working with preschool-aged children in a licensed early childhood education, childcare, school, or similar setting.
- Experience working collaboratively with children and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Responsibilities
- Support a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment for preschool-aged children.
- Assist with planning and implementing curriculum, learning experiences, classroom activities, and routines based on children's developmental needs, interests, and program goals.
- Actively supervise children and support required staff-to-child ratios and classroom coverage.
- Conduct and document child observations and assist with developmental screenings, assessments, lesson planning, individualized goals, and required documentation.
- Support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and self-help skill development through daily interactions and learning experiences.
- Assist children with meals, toileting, diapering when necessary, handwashing, rest periods, transitions, and other daily care routines.
- Build positive relationships with children and families and communicate respectfully and regularly about classroom activities and children's experiences.
- Assist with family engagement activities, parent meetings, conferences, home visits, and referrals as appropriate to the program.
- Observe children for signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, developmental concerns, or other needs, and promptly report concerns according to program policies and mandated reporting requirements.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential child, classroom, and program records.
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, developmentally appropriate classroom and ensure equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are used and stored properly.
- Follow health, safety, sanitation, emergency preparedness, licensing, and program requirements.
- Participate in staff meetings, supervision, professional development, emergency drills, program self-assessment, and other required program activities.
- Collaborate professionally with teaching staff, supervisors, families, consultants, and community partners.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
