Preschool Assistant Teacher - Hickory

YMCA of Catawba Valley•Hickory, NC

15d•$13 - $15

About The Position

The Preschool Assistant Teacher supports the lead teacher in creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children. The role assists with classroom management, lesson implementation, and daily supervision to promote children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. The Assistant Teacher collaborates with the preschool team to ensure a high-quality program aligned with YMCA values and early childhood best practices. The announcement notes that it is representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria, and is not inclusive of all functions, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with children, families, and coworkers.
Ability to implement positive behavior management strategies and support children’s social-emotional growth.
Patience, enthusiasm, and a passion for working with young children.
Commitment to following YMCA policies, state childcare regulations, and early learning best practices.
Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, kneel, and engage in hands-on activities.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, supporting the lead teacher and other staff.
Maintain current and active status for all safety, risk, and programming certifications defined by the YMCA of Catawba Valley.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in Early Childhood Education.
Previous experience working with young children in a childcare, preschool, or educational setting.

Responsibilities

Support the preschool teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities.
Supervise and interact with children to promote a positive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.
Assist with classroom management, ensuring children’s safety, well-being, and active participation.
Help with daily routines, including mealtimes, rest periods, toileting, and transitions between activities.
Encourage social-emotional growth by modeling positive behaviors and reinforcing YMCA core values.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment while following health and safety regulations.
Communicate with families and staff, providing updates on children’s progress and classroom activities.
Monitor children’s development and behavior, reporting concerns to the lead teacher or preschool director.
Assist with classroom setup and cleanup, ensuring materials and supplies are well-maintained.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development to improve teaching effectiveness.
Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by leadership.
Help create a safe, inclusive environment by following YMCA abuse-prevention policies and procedures, immediately reporting concerns or incidents, and maintaining appropriate boundaries with youth and members.