Assistant Pre-School Teacher

Assistant Pre-School Teacher

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is seeking a caring, dependable, and engaging Assistant Teacher to join our Early Education team. In this role, you will help create a nurturing classroom environment where young children can learn, grow, build relationships, and develop the skills they need for school success.

The Assistant Teacher works alongside lead teachers to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities while supporting each child's unique developmental needs. You'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children and families while supporting their intellectual, motor, social, and emotional development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preferred.
• Experience working with children in a group setting preferred.
• Valid driver's license preferred.
• Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to create a warm, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young children.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Children's Development

• Supervise and actively engage with children throughout the day while maintaining appropriate classroom ratios.
• Support children's intellectual, motor, social, and emotional development through meaningful interactions and activities.
• Implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that address individual and group needs.
• Model appropriate behavior, communication, and positive interactions.
• Facilitate problem-solving and reinforce positive social-emotional skills.
• Maintain active supervision and awareness of children's interactions and safety at all times.
• Implement trauma-informed practices and strategies that promote children's social-emotional development.
• Administer developmental assessments, such as DECA and Galileo, as required.

Classroom & Program Support

• Work alongside lead teachers to implement early childhood curriculum aligned with developmental assessments.
• Modify and document lesson plan adjustments to support individual children's needs.
• Help maintain a safe, healthy, welcoming, and age-appropriate classroom environment.
• Participate in maintaining classroom organization and completing shared housekeeping responsibilities.
• Maintain classroom materials and resources and help reduce unnecessary waste and expenses.
• Support daily attendance and other required classroom records.
• Assist with onboarding and supporting children as needed.

Family Engagement & Collaboration

• Build positive, respectful, and productive relationships with children and their families.
• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers regarding children's development and well-being.
• Communicate openly and professionally with teachers, staff, and other team members.
• Participate in team meetings, agency events, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Represent Best Point in a positive and professional manner.

Professional Growth & Quality

• Participate in required agency trainings, professional seminars, and conferences.
• Maintain knowledge and skills related to early childhood development and best practices.
• Follow all applicable licensing, accreditation, and Step Up To Qualitystandards and regulations.
• Participate in quality improvement and process improvement activities.
• Seek feedback and apply strategies that strengthen classroom practices and child outcomes.
• Complete all required training and professional development activities.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: $15 - $17 hourly based on qualifications and experience.

At Best Point, we believe taking care of our employees is essential to taking care of our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and affordable benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, career growth, and work-life balance. Our benefit costs are approximately 38% lower than those of other organizations our size, helping you keep more of what you earn.

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting as low as $27 per paycheck
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions of up to $1,200 annually for 2+ person plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Free preventive care and wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential emotional, financial, legal, and personal support
• Optional pet insurance

Financial Security

• Competitive 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance valued at 2.5x your annual salary, up to $300,000 — 100% paid by Best Point
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, along with educational loan forgiveness support and resources

Career Growth & Development

• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• 10% tuition discount for online programs through the University of Cincinnati
• Leadership Academy and professional development programs at no cost
• Interest-free personal computer loan program
• Employee referral bonus program with payouts of up to $1,000

Time Away to Recharge

• Generous paid time off package — up to 34 days off in your first year for eligible employees
• 10 paid holidays annually
• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster placement
• A work environment that supports healthy work-life balance and personal well-being

Work Environment

This position works primarily in an early childhood educational environment and involves working directly with young children throughout the day.

Employees may encounter children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges and may be exposed to shouting or children who are upset. The position requires the ability to remain calm, patient, nurturing, and safety-focused while supporting children's individual needs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The position regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting objects up to 20 pounds.

About Best Point

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is Greater Cincinnati's most prolific nonprofit specializing in education, behavioral and therapeutic health services, and autism services for vulnerable and at-risk youth, their families, and caregivers.

We are committed to creating an environment where employees can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

Our Culture

We lead our community with respect and tolerance, both internally and externally, and expect our employees to embrace these values in their day-to-day interactions.

Best Point is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category.

Apply today to begin your career in early childhood education and help young children build the foundation for a lifetime of learning and success!