Teacher Aides

Teacher Aide – Early Childhood Education

Head Start of Rockland, Inc. (HSOR)
Location: Rockland County, New York
Schedule: School Calendar | Paid Holidays | Employee Benefits

Make a Difference in a Child’s Life—Every Day!

Do you love working with young children and helping them learn, grow, and discover the world around them? Head Start of Rockland, Inc. is looking for caring, enthusiastic, and dependable Teacher Aides to join our early childhood education team!

For over 60 years, Head Start of Rockland has provided high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive family services to more than 1,000 children and families throughout Rockland County.

At HSOR, you will be part of a supportive team that values collaboration, professional development, and the important role educators play in preparing children for success in school and life.

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Head Teacher, the Teacher Aide assists in creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that supports children's physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive development.

The Teacher Aide actively participates in daily classroom operations, supports engaging learning experiences, and helps children develop the skills necessary to achieve HSOR's school readiness goals.

The Teacher Aide may also assume responsibility for leading classroom activities during the Head Teacher's absence, as authorized by program leadership and consistent with applicable staffing, supervision, and qualification requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Learning and Development: Assist the Head Teacher in planning and implementing engaging, hands-on, developmentally appropriate learning activities that encourage creativity, exploration, problem-solving, and school readiness.
• Create a Positive Classroom Environment: Help maintain a welcoming, organized, culturally responsive, and inclusive classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.
• Promote Social-Emotional Growth: Encourage positive interactions, independence, self-confidence, emotional regulation, and respectful relationships among children.
• Assist with Daily Classroom Routines: Support arrival and dismissal, meals, toileting, handwashing, rest periods, transitions, outdoor play, and other daily activities.
• Maintain Active Supervision: Ensure children are appropriately supervised at all times, following HSOR's health, safety, and child supervision policies.
• Support Individualized Learning: Work with children of varying abilities, including children with disabilities and developmental delays, to ensure meaningful participation in classroom activities.
• Lead Classroom Activities: Facilitate small-group and large-group activities and support classroom continuity during the Head Teacher's absence, as assigned and permitted.
• Observe and Document Progress: Assist with observations, developmental assessments, classroom documentation, and monitoring children's progress toward school readiness goals.
• Build Positive Family Relationships: Support respectful communication and positive partnerships with parents, families, and caregivers.
• Collaborate with the Education Team: Work cooperatively with teachers, supervisors, specialists, and other staff to support children's educational and developmental needs.
• Maintain Compliance: Follow HSOR policies, agency education plans, Head Start Program Performance Standards, NAEYC guidelines, and applicable New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) child care regulations.
• Participate in Professional Development: Attend required training, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children in a classroom, child care center, or similar early childhood setting preferred.
• Must be willing to pursue professional development and meet applicable Head Start Teacher Aide qualification requirements.
• Must obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or be actively working toward an appropriate early childhood education qualification within one year of employment, consistent with program requirements.
• Candidates who do not already hold an appropriate credential are expected to begin CDA coursework or an Early Childhood Education associate degree pathway following successful completion of their probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current CDA credential.
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in any discipline, preferably with coursework in Early Childhood Education.
• Completion of, or progress toward, at least 18 college credits in Early Childhood Education.
• Previous experience in a Head Start, preschool, or licensed child care setting.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with children, families, and colleagues.
• Patience, flexibility, reliability, and a genuine passion for early childhood education.
• Ability to support children's daily care needs and participate actively in classroom activities.
• Successful completion of all required background checks, clearances, and employment screenings.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and a safe learning environment.

Why Join Head Start of Rockland?

Enjoy meaningful work, a supportive team, and a schedule that supports work-life balance!

• School Calendar Schedule: Enjoy a work schedule aligned with the school calendar.
• Paid Holidays: Benefit from paid holidays in accordance with HSOR policies.
• Employee Benefits: Access applicable employee benefits based on position and eligibility.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities to pursue your CDA, further your education, and develop your career in early childhood education.
• Supportive Work Environment: Collaborate with dedicated early childhood professionals who are passionate about children and families.
• Purpose-Driven Career: Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families in your community.

Join Our Team!

If you are compassionate, energetic, dependable, and excited about helping young children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, we encourage you to apply!

Become part of the Head Start of Rockland family—where every child matters, every family is valued, and every educator makes a difference.

Head Start of Rockland, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful workplace.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16