Preschool Teacher Assistant

Lil Explorers•Buffalo, MN

22d•$14 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Preschool Teacher Assistant supports daily classroom activities and the implementation of Cadence Education programs under the direction of the School Director and classroom leadership, including the Lead Teacher or Teacher. The role helps maintain a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that supports children’s physical, social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs, including the needs of children with IEPs, while ensuring safety and licensing compliance. The assistant helps create a positive, respectful classroom, supports developmentally appropriate curriculum and Cadence Signature Programs, and builds welcoming professional relationships with children’s families, coworkers, and leadership. The role requires following safety and supervision policies and procedures, participating in meetings, training, and professional development, and maintaining flexibility as schedules may change based on enrollment, staffing ratios, and operational needs. Work schedules are not guaranteed to be eight-hour shifts, and daily start and end times may vary. The position is located in Buffalo, Minnesota. The stated hourly pay rate is $14–$18. Full-time assistants are offered benefits including childcare tuition discounts, retirement matching, insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, and career development support.

Requirements

Meet the minimum experience and education requirements for the state of employment.
Meet all state licensing qualifications for a Teacher Assistant in a licensed childcare center.
Obtain and maintain required background clearances and health screenings.
Read, write, and speak effectively in English.
Work collaboratively as part of a classroom team.
Consistently follow safety procedures, including Name-to-Face accountability, food allergy processes, bottle-feeding procedures, and Safe Sleep practices.
Be flexible, as schedules may change based on enrollment, staffing ratios, and operational needs; shifts are not guaranteed to be eight hours and start and end times may vary.

Nice To Haves

An associate or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; preferred but not required if state licensing requirements are met.
Prior early childhood or classroom experience.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; preferred but not required if state requirements are satisfied.

Responsibilities

Support a positive and respectful classroom environment where each child is treated with care, dignity, and respect.
Greet children and families daily and help build professional, welcoming relationships.
Help recognize and respond to individual developmental, behavioral, cultural, and learning needs, including following IEPs and behavioral support plans as directed.
Support classroom staff in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and Cadence Signature Programs.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with families, coworkers, and leadership using Cadence-approved tools.
Follow the Cadence Education Safety and Supervision Manual, including documenting and reporting accidents and incidents according to policy.
Assist with managing, documenting, and reporting escalated child behaviors in accordance with Cadence procedures.
Follow Cadence Education policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Participate in required meetings, trainings, and professional development, which may occur outside regularly scheduled work hours.
Follow safety procedures, including Name-to-Face accountability, food allergy processes, bottle-feeding procedures, and Safe Sleep practices.