Assistant Teacher

Join our dynamic team at Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence as an Assistant Teacher! This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about working with young children and creating a nurturing, structured, and engaging classroom environment.

Location: 601 Southlake Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA 23236

Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Reports To: Lead Teacher / Director

We're looking for a caring, dependable, and energetic Assistant Teacher to support classroom instruction, supervision, and daily care routines. This role involves working alongside the Lead Teacher to create a safe, structured, and engaging classroom environment where children feel loved, supported, and ready to learn.

At KALE, we believe that children need more than just supervision - they need warmth, patience, and adults who truly care. If you're someone who enjoys working with young children, understands the importance of consistency, and is willing to support classroom routines, child development, and family communication, then this role is ideal for you.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Teacher will:

• Support the Lead Teacher with daily classroom activities, lessons, transitions, meals, rest time, and outdoor play, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for our students.
• Help maintain active supervision of children at all times, adhering to Virginia licensing standards and our center's high standards.
• Assist with essential childcare tasks such as diapering, toileting, handwashing, feeding, nap routines, and age-appropriate self-help skills.
• Contribute to maintaining a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming classroom environment that promotes learning and development.
• Help implement daily learning activities, including early literacy, art, sensory play, music, movement, STEM exploration, and social-emotional learning, tailored to meet the unique needs of our students.
• Interact with children in a calm, respectful, nurturing, and professional manner, setting a positive example for their behavior and development.
• Help guide children using positive behavior support and redirection, ensuring they feel supported and understood.
• Assist with classroom preparation, sanitation, toy rotation, and end-of-day cleanup, maintaining a high level of cleanliness and organization.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and center operations, upholding the trust placed in us.
• Communicate classroom needs, child concerns, and safety issues to the Lead Teacher or Director, fostering open and effective communication.
• Support Brightwheel updates as directed by the Lead Teacher or Director, staying on top of our digital records and communication.
• Follow all KALE policies, VDOE licensing requirements, health and safety procedures, and emergency protocols, ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, and classroom coaching as required, staying current with best practices and industry standards.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, applicants should have:

• Experience working with children in a childcare, preschool, school, camp, church nursery, or similar setting, with a passion for creating engaging and supportive environments.
• A warm, patient, dependable, and professional attitude, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care and education.
• Ability to follow direction and work as part of a team, maintaining a collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.
• Strong communication skills with children, families, and staff, ensuring effective and respectful interactions at all times.
• Ability to maintain classroom structure and safety, adhering to our high standards and industry regulations.
• Willingness to complete required background checks and training, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of care and safety.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred, with a strong emphasis on lifelong learning and professional development.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred, or willingness to obtain, demonstrating a commitment to safety and emergency preparedness.
• Childcare experience preferred, but the right attitude and reliability matter, as we value a team member's enthusiasm and dedication to our mission.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an Assistant Teacher who is:

• Truly passionate about working with young children, with a genuine enthusiasm for their growth and development.
• Patient, kind, and dependable, with a calm and professional demeanor that sets a positive example for our students.
• Able to understand that childcare is serious work, requiring dedication, reliability, and a commitment to excellence.
• Capable of following routines and classroom expectations, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Able to work well with a Lead Teacher, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Taking initiative without needing constant direction, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Communicating respectfully and effectively with children, families, and staff, maintaining open and honest communication at all times.
• Bringing calm energy into the classroom, creating a peaceful and nurturing environment that promotes learning and development.
• Willing to grow in early childhood education, with a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates must be able to:

• Pass all required background checks and fingerprinting.
• Meet Virginia childcare licensing requirements.
• Complete required orientation and training.
• Lift and carry young children as needed.
• Sit, stand, bend, kneel, and move throughout the day, with a physical ability to keep up with the demands of a dynamic childcare environment.
• Supervise children indoors and outdoors, adhering to our high standards and industry regulations.
• Maintain professionalism, reliability, and confidentiality, upholding the trust placed in us as a childcare provider.
• Arrive on time and maintain consistent attendance, demonstrating a strong commitment to our team's success.

Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)M™ innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.