Laboratory Schools: Classroom Assistant, Family Life Programs

Job Summary

Family Life Programs (FLP) is seeking enthusiastic, dependable, and nurturing Classroom Assistants to support our Nursery 3 classrooms at the Earl Shapiro Hall Early Childhood Campus. This position plays an important role in providing consistency and continuity of care for our youngest learners as they transition from the school day into Late Day programming.

FLP Classroom Assistants begin their day in the late morning, collaborating with daytime classroom teachers and remain with students through the conclusion of the Late Day Program. The ideal candidate has experience working with nursery and preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) and is passionate about creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, supportive relationships with students, families, classroom teachers, and FLP colleagues.
• Create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment that supports children's social-emotional and developmental needs.
• Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate, play-based activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and peer interaction.
• Actively supervise and engage with students throughout classroom activities, outdoor play, and daily transitions.
• Support daily classroom routines, including snack time, rest time, toileting, handwashing, and classroom organization.
• Model positive behavior, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and age-appropriate social skills.
• Expands knowledge by participating in staff meetings, individual planning meetings, and/or parent-student staffings.
• May collaborate with teachers through classroom observation and curriculum discussions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree). Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Some Early Childhood Education or related courses.
• Experience working with nursery-aged children in a daycare, camp, or school setting.

Preferred Competencies

• Must be willing to work with children in a progressive learning and cultural environment.
• Receptive to feedback and able to make adjustments when necessary.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Strong customer service skills, as well as a friendly and professional demeanor.
• Comfort working with mobile technology.
• Must be comfortable independently supervising a group of up to 12 children.

Working Conditions

Ability to move in and around the classroom and building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community. Ability to facilitate programs inside and outside, even in winter months. Ability to escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of buildings during arrival and dismissal (where required), and in an emergency situation. This may include climbing stairs of up to 2 stories, where appropriate, with younger children.