Preschool Assistant Teacher

About This Role

This Preschool Assistant Teacher opportunity at Leila Day Nurseries serves Preschool (3–5) and requires no formal credential — just relevant experience. Based in New Haven, CT, candidates bring experience in early childhood education and development.

What You'll Do

• Contribute to an environment that is welcoming, child-centered and developmentally appropriate by engaging with children during play, preparing materials for teacher-led activities, organizing, setting and cleaning up and maintaining the learning environment.
• Assist Co/Lead Teachers with planning, implementing, and documenting an emergent child-centered curriculum with activities in all developmental areas: cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language; spend a large portion of the day directly involved in facilitating children's play and demonstrating patience, respect and nurturance of children.
• Encourage children's positive self-concept while supporting and respecting the cultural backgrounds, languages, individual interests and learning style of each child and being aware of and sensitive to issues of equity and implicit bias.
• Carry out daily routines and procedures under the direction of Co/Lead Teachers (e.g. behavioral expectations, group management, limit setting and transitions) reflective of children's different needs and that also ensure the safety and well-being of the group.

Requirements

• Physical, Health & Safety Requirements:
  • Must adhere to all CT State guidelines and Leila Day policies regarding immunizations, physical exam, and required health and safety training such as CPR, First Aid, and Administration of Medications
  • Must have the physical ability to participate in activities that may include lifting, moving or holding children from 20-60 pounds as well as walking, squatting, climbing and sitting on the floor.
  • Must have desire and ability to regularly spend as many as 3 hours per day outdoors.
  • Must be able to maintain mental and physical alertness, appropriate level of energy and respond quickly to emergencies or unexpected situations.
• Education & Experience:
  • At least 20 years of age
  • Minimum 1 year experience working in child care or school setting
  • A minimum of an associates degree or its equivalent
• Nice to Have:
  • Experience in outdoor education
  • Experience in art education
  • Experience in literacy education
  • Experience in multicultural education
  • A Bachelor's degree
  • ECE credits

Benefits

About Leila Day Nurseries: Leila Day is an accredited, nonprofit child care center serving children of working families from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds from New Haven and surrounding towns. In operation since 1878, this celebrated program's mission is to foster children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development within a warm and nurturing environment built on sound principles of child development. Leila Day emphasizes nature and outdoor education. The children and teachers spend time learning outside every day.

Common Questions

• What ECE credentials are required for this position?

• This Preschool Assistant Teacher role pays $19 to $23/Hr.

• Is this full-time or part-time?

• Leila Day Nurseries is located at 100 Cold Spring Street, New Haven, CT