Preschool Afternoon Teacher Assistant
About This Role
Employment Details
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 2:00-5:30 PM (17.5 hours/week)
Location: New Haven, CT (On-site)
Reports To: Executive Director
Additional Work Opportunities: Substitute shifts may be available based on school needs and employee interest
About Leila Day
Leila Day is a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school where childhood is honored. We innovate and build on the best traditions and practices of progressive, early childhood education. We believe in teaching and learning grounded in caring relationships, filled with joyful, learning adventures, and powered by the creativity of children at play. Teachers plan learning experiences around the needs and interests of the children and the opportunities provided by the natural world and our multicultural community.
Our indoor and outdoor classrooms encourage children to explore, wonder, learn, and grow. Located beside East Rock Park in New Haven, we use the woods, trails, streams, and surrounding neighborhood as an extension of the classroom.
Position Summary
The Afternoon Assistant Teacher supports the preschool teaching team in creating an engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environment rooted in children's interests, meaningful relationships, and joyful exploration. Working alongside lead teachers, this role helps implement an emergent curriculum that encourages curiosity, creativity, experimentation, and play. The Assistant Teacher contributes to a classroom culture that reflects Leila Day's commitment to progressive early childhood education, emphasizing inquiry, emotional intelligence, outdoor learning, collaboration, and respect for every child. Their
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities
- Support lead teachers in implementing classroom activities, learning experiences, and emergent curriculum.
- Contribute to an environment that is welcoming, child-centered and developmentally appropriate by engaging with children during play, preparing materials for teacher led activities and setting up the learning environments.
- Encourage children's positive self-concept while supporting and respecting the cultural backgrounds, languages, individual interests and learning style of each child with a care and attention paid to issues of equity and implicit bias.
- Assist with the maintenance of the classroom and outdoor spaces, including stocking of supplies and organizing instructional materials.
- Care for materials and equipment to ensure the indoor and outdoor spaces are properly tidied and organized at the close of each day.
- Relay messages to and from teachers and families as needed.
- Carry out daily routines and procedures under the direction of lead or co-teachers (e.g. behavioral expectations, group management, limit setting and transitions) reflective of children's different needs and that ensure the safety and well-being of the group.
- Engage in ongoing professional learning opportunities to remain current with early childhood research and best practices.
- Build and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with teachers and colleagues.
- Attend relevant staff meetings, school wide events, professional development trainings, conferences, and other activities outside of regular hours as deemed necessary by leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Education & Experience
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Minimum 1-2 years of childcare, classroom, camp, babysitting, or youth development experience.
- Physical, Health & Safety Requirements
- Ability to lift, move, or assist children weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to walk, squat, climb, kneel, and sit on the floor.
- Ability and willingness to spend significant time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Must maintain the physical and mental alertness needed to respond to emergencies.
- Must comply with Connecticut licensing requirements and Leila Day policies regarding health screenings, immunizations, CPR, First Aid, medication administration, and other required training.
- Reliable, dependable, and conscientious.
Nice to Have
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
- Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework or credits
- Experience teaching or learning in an outdoor education setting
Benefits
- Professional Development
- Benefits & Professional Growth
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Opportunities to work substitute shifts based on school needs and employee interest
- Opportunities for career growth within Leila Day
- Daily outdoor experiences in one of Connecticut's most beautiful learning environments
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?
No credentials required for this role.
What does this position pay?
This Preschool Afternoon Teacher Assistant role pays $18 to $21/Hr.
Is this full-time or part-time?
This job is Part Time.
Where is Leila Day Nurseries located?
Leila Day Nurseries is located at 100 Cold Spring Street, New Haven, CT