Preschool Teacher Assistant

Child Start, Inc. • Wichita, KS

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Teacher Assistants for Early Childhood and Head Start programs assist Lead Teachers in planning and implementing learning experiences that advance children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development within a safe, healthy learning environment. They encourage family involvement and support the development of relationships between children and their families.

The Teacher Assistant uses appropriate language, interactions, and positive discipline; models positive behavior; and assists with instructing and supervising children in classroom activities. The role supports age-appropriate activities aligned with Head Start performance standards and the Creative Curriculum, including family-style meals, screenings, assessment paperwork, lesson planning, and maintaining accurate classroom records and portfolios.

The Teacher Assistant also supports communication and engagement with parents, including conferences, home visits, sharing classroom information, and helping address concerns. The position works closely with the classroom teaching team, EC Manager, Assistant EC Manager, Senior Manager, and other content area specialists, and participates in meetings as requested.

The position starts at $16.40 per hour, depending on education and experience. The employee must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States without visa transfer or sponsorship, provide proof of measles vaccination or documented immunity during employment, and be able to commute daily to Wichita, Kansas.

Requirements

• Current CDA in Early Childhood for ages 3–5.
• One year of preschool experience working with children ages 3–5.
• A love for teaching and ability to build trusting relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds for classroom and event needs.
• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without visa transfer or sponsorship.
• Ability to commute daily to Wichita, Kansas.
• Provide proof of measles (MMR) vaccination or documented immunity during the employment process.

Nice To Haves

• Computer skills.
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with 9 hours in ECE.
• Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lead Teachers in planning and implementing learning experiences that support children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development.
• Encourage family involvement and support relationships between children and their families.
• Use appropriate language and interactions, apply positive discipline, and model positive behavior.
• Assist in instructing and supervising children during classroom activities.
• Help implement age-appropriate activities aligned with Head Start performance standards and the Creative Curriculum.
• Implement and model family-style eating during meal times.
• Continuously monitor children for safety and report suspected child abuse or neglect when necessary.
• Assist with administering screenings, including Creative Curriculum assessments and DECA and DIAL-4 screenings.
• Use the curriculum library and training resources to plan and develop age-appropriate lesson-plan activities with the Lead Teacher.
• Help incorporate required activities that support children’s development into lesson plans.
• Support open communication with parents, including scheduling and conducting parent/teacher conferences and home visits.
• Assist as a parent advocate and help resolve issues or concerns raised by parents.
• Inform parents about daily classroom routines, expectations, policies, field trips, and volunteer opportunities.
• Communicate with parents about incidents observed or recorded on site.
• Complete classroom paperwork in a timely manner, including meal count sheets, attendance, screenings, conferences, and home visits.
• Maintain current and accurate education folders, including incident reports and permission slips.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date portfolios.
• Assist with classroom supply lists and inventory.
• Complete assessment paperwork, including Creative Curriculum checklists and DECA and DIAL-4 screenings, within specified timelines.
• Work closely with the EC Manager, Assistant EC Manager, classroom teaching team, Senior Manager, and other content area specialists.
• Actively participate in meetings, including management and staff meetings, as requested.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plans.
• Dental insurance plans.
• Vision insurance plans.
• Company-paid short-term disability coverage.
• Company-paid long-term disability coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• 9 paid holidays each year.
• Competitive salary and additional benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed