Preschool Teacher's Aide

Bright Beginnings Center for Learning is seeking a caring, dependable, patient, and hardworking Preschool Teacher's Aide to join our team. This position will primarily provide support in our Pre-K 3 classroom, working closely with children ages 3-4. Because our youngest students are still developing independence, a significant part of this position involves restroom assistance, personal care, and helping children develop age-appropriate life and self-help skills. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working hands-on with young children and understand that patience, encouragement, and consistency are important parts of helping preschoolers become more independent. ### Primary Responsibilities 1. Assist the Pre-K 3 lead teacher with daily classroom routines, activities, transitions, and supervision. 2. Provide frequent restroom assistance to children ages 3-4, including helping with clothing, toileting, wiping, flushing, and proper handwashing. 3. Must be willing and comfortable cleaning up ALL types of bathroom and potty accidents, including urine and bowel movement accidents. This includes assisting children with changing soiled clothing, cleaning and sanitizing affected areas, and following proper hygiene procedures. 4. Handle restroom accidents and personal-care needs with patience, kindness, discretion, and respect for each child's dignity. 5. Encourage children to develop independence with age-appropriate life and self-help skills, including: 6. Using the restroom independently 7. Proper handwashing 8. Putting on and taking off coats and other belongings 9. Opening lunch and snack items 10. Cleaning up after themselves 11. Following classroom routines 12. Taking responsibility for personal belongings 13. Provide positive encouragement and guidance as children develop social, emotional, behavioral, and independence skills. 14. Assist with classroom activities, crafts, centers, small groups, and other learning experiences as directed by the lead teacher. 15. Help supervise students during arrival, dismissal, transitions, playtime, and throughout the school day. 16. Serve as the lunch room teacher on duty, supervising students during lunch, assisting children with opening food and drink items, encouraging appropriate table manners and independence, and maintaining a safe and orderly lunch environment. 17. Complete light cleaning and organization of the Pre-K classroom and small lunch room, including wiping and sanitizing tables, sweeping, cleaning up after meals and activities, sanitizing commonly used areas, and keeping spaces neat and organized. 18. Assist with preparing classroom materials and setting up or resetting learning spaces as needed. 19. Maintain a safe, positive, clean, and nurturing environment for all students. 20. Follow all preschool procedures regarding student safety, supervision, confidentiality, hygiene, and cleanliness. 21. Work cooperatively and respectfully with lead teachers, the Preschool Director, other staff members, volunteers, children, and families. 22. Assist with additional classroom, student, cleaning, supervision, or preschool responsibilities as assigned by the lead teachers or Preschool Director. 23. Be flexible and willing to help in other areas of the preschool when needed. ### Restroom & Personal Care Expectations Restroom assistance is an important and regular responsibility of this position. Applicants should understand that many children in the Pre-K 3 classroom are still developing independent toileting skills. The Preschool Teacher's Aide must be willing and able to assist children with restroom needs and clean up all types of potty accidents as needed throughout the school day. This may include urine accidents, bowel movement accidents, soiled clothing, and cleaning and sanitizing areas affected by an accident. All personal-care situations must be handled calmly and respectfully hile helping the child feel comfortable and encouraging continued independence. ### Qualifications & Expectations The ideal candidate will: 1. Enjoy working with children ages 3-4. 2. Be patient, nurturing, dependable, punctual, and responsible. 3. Be completely comfortable and willing to provide restroom assistance and clean up all types of toileting accidents. 4. Understand that personal-care assistance is a regular and expected part of working with young preschool children. 5. Be willing to help children develop independence rather than simply completing tasks for them. 6. Be able to follow directions and work cooperatively as part of a team. 7. Be flexible and willing to help wherever needed throughout the preschool day. 8. Take initiative when something needs cleaned, organized, prepared, or completed. 9. Use positive, patient, and developmentally appropriate interactions with children. 10. Maintain professionalism and confidentiality regarding students and families. 11. Be comfortable working in a faith-based preschool environment. 12. Prior experience working with young children is preferred but not necessarily required for the right candidate. ### Physical Requirements This is an active, hands-on position. The Preschool Teacher's Aide must be able to: Sit on the floor and actively interact with young children. Bend, kneel, squat, and get to a child's level. Stand and walk for periods of time throughout the school day. Assist children with restroom and personal-care needs. Participate in classroom setup, cleanup, and daily activities. []{.ql-ui}