Floating Assistant Teacher

Magical Beginnings•Croton-on-Hudson, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Magical Beginnings is seeking an experienced Floating Assistant Teacher for its Harmon center. The role primarily supports preschool classrooms, helping create a nurturing, engaging environment where children learn and thrive. The teacher works with classroom teachers to support developmentally appropriate activities, daily routines, attentive care, and end-of-day transitions. The position also provides coverage across toddler, preschool, and other daycare settings as needed, while following New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and center quality standards. The position requires availability Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Candidates must have prior experience working with toddlers, preschoolers, and in a daycare or early childhood education setting. Employment offers are contingent on required New York State background clearances and regulatory requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal history review, and Statewide Central Register clearance. Candidates must also meet applicable health, immunization, and training requirements under New York State OCFS regulations.

Requirements

At least one year of experience working with preschoolers and toddlers in a licensed childcare center, daycare, preschool, or early childhood education setting.
Strong understanding of early childhood development, positive classroom guidance, play-based learning, and young children's social-emotional needs.
Ability to support multiple classrooms as needed, primarily the preschool wing, and collaborate with lead teachers and other classroom team members.
Ability to assist with end-of-day classroom closing procedures, including maintaining cleanliness, organizing materials, and supporting safe transitions.
Ability to maintain compliance with New York State OCFS childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and applicable teacher-to-child ratios.
Excellent communication, teamwork, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
Ability to engage actively with children, including sitting on the floor, bending, kneeling, lifting up to 40 pounds, and participating in indoor and outdoor activities.
Availability Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Successful completion of required New York State background clearances and regulatory requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal history review, and Statewide Central Register clearance.
Meet applicable health, immunization, and training requirements under New York State OCFS regulations.

Nice To Haves

Child Development Associate (CDA), Associate's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
Experience supporting classroom routines, assisting with developmentally appropriate activities, and helping maintain a safe, engaging learning environment.

Responsibilities

Support developmentally appropriate curriculum and engaging classroom activities, primarily in the preschool wing.
Create a safe, nurturing, stimulating classroom environment that supports children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through play-based learning.
Assist with classroom routines, including learning activities, meals, toileting, outdoor play, rest time, and transitions.
Supervise and engage children while maintaining positive classroom guidance, continuous supervision, and required New York State OCFS teacher-to-child ratios.
Provide flexible classroom coverage across toddler, preschool, and other age groups as needed.
Assist with end-of-day classroom closing, including organizing materials, cleaning and sanitizing spaces, and preparing classrooms for the next school day.
Support children's individual developmental needs, independence, positive social interactions, and age-appropriate learning.
Collaborate with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and center leadership to maintain consistent routines and a positive team environment.
Maintain clean, organized, and sanitized classroom spaces in accordance with OCFS regulations and health and safety standards.
Prepare and organize classroom materials and learning environments that encourage curiosity, creativity, language development, and hands-on exploration.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with families and team members.
Follow applicable New York State OCFS childcare licensing requirements, company policies, and center quality standards.
Contribute to a positive center culture through flexibility, teamwork, reliability, and commitment to high-quality care and education.