Join the Mini University Family!

Make a difference every day in the lives of young children.

At Mini University, we believe every child deserves caring, knowledgeable educators who inspire curiosity, build confidence, and create a lifelong love of learning. If you are passionate about early childhood education and enjoy working as part of a collaborative team, we'd love to meet you!

As an Assistant Teacher, you will partner with Lead Teachers to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom where children can learn, grow, and thrive. You'll help build meaningful relationships with children and families while supporting a nationally recognized, research-based early learning program.

What You'll Do

As an Assistant Teacher, you will:

• Build warm, respectful relationships with children and families.
• Support children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through engaging daily experiences.
• Help implement our research-based Creative Curriculum and developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Encourage language development through meaningful conversations and interactive learning.
• Foster positive behavior using Conscious Discipline strategies.
• Create engaging science, literacy, art, and play experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Actively supervise children and ensure all health, safety, licensing, and NAEYC standards are followed.
• Communicate professionally with families about their child's daily experiences and development.
• Work collaboratively with your teaching team to provide exceptional care and education.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and continuous learning opportunities.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals who:

• Have a passion for working with young children.
• Enjoy building positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Believe every child deserves a high-quality early learning experience.
• Are dependable, positive, and committed to teamwork.
• Embrace learning and professional growth.
• Value collaboration, respect, excellence, and lifelong learning.

Why Mini University?

At Mini University, we're more than a childcare center—we're a community of educators committed to achieving positive outcomes for children and families.

You'll enjoy:

• Professional coaching and mentorship
• Paid training and ongoing professional development
• Research-based curriculum and classroom resources
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Supportive leadership and collaborative teams
• A mission-driven organization committed to excellence
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of children every single day

If you're ready to begin or continue your career in early childhood education with an organization that values quality, relationships, and professional growth, apply today!

Mini University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS of the ASSISTANT TEACHER POSITION:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or NAEYC equivalent (12 semester hours in ECE, Elementary Education, Child Development, or Early Intervention) and CPL 2.
• Basic Health Training - Current certification in each of the following areas: Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR, Child Abuse Recognition & Prevention, and Common Childhood Illnesses. Applicants without certification in these areas may still be considered for this position, however, if hired, certification in these areas is required according to the timeline on the PD Plan. Assistant Teachers must always maintain current certification in all these classes.
• Continuing Education & Professional Development (PD) - PD Plans will be used to guide future professional growth, ensuring that educational goals are met. Assistant Teachers must continue taking college level ECE courses or obtain a minimum of 15 hours/year of Ohio Approved in-service to ensure they remain current with the latest research and meet all regulatory requirements from the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS of the ASSISTANT TEACHER POSITION:
Assistant Teachers must:
1. be willing and able to impart information and orally communicate with children, families and others.
2. be willing and able to understand and respond to oral communications and directions.
3. be willing and able to read, write, understand and respond to written instructions, communications and materials.
4. have the capacity to ensure the safety of, observe, and assess all situations involving a child, a group of children and co-workers.
5. have mobility, strength, and dexterity to be able to lift a child weighing up to 40 pounds; interact at each child's level; and retrieve children who wander and/or run from the group.

Assistant Teachers

Full-time, 5 days per week (M-F), 7.5 hours per day

Pay: $19.00 per hour

Summary of Position: Professionals Caring About Your Child’s Education
This is the motto that has served Mini University well for over 35 years. Each word indicates the significant role an assistant teacher accepts when joining the Mini U Team. Assistant Teachers are responsible for assisting with the emotional and educational needs of young children. They must assist with intentionally preparing and maintaining an enriched learning environment and engage in meaningful conversations with children all day, every day. Assistant Teachers are held accountable for supervising and nurturing children, responding to their interests and needs, and making learning meaningful. They assist with implementing the curriculum and work with diverse families, administrators, and team members. Assistant Teachers are expected to maintain a very high level of quality and excellence in early care and education by being able to understand, articulate and meet the standards, assessment items, and guidelines outlined in the following:

ALL ASSISTANT TEACHERS: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Child Care Licensing Regulations, LENA: Building Brains through
Early Talk, Step Up to Quality, and Conscious Discipline
NURSERY/TODDLER & TWOS: RIE: Resources for Infant Educarers; Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos (Volumes 1-3)
PRE-KINDERGARTEN: Creative Curriculum for Preschool (Volumes 1-5), Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and Heggerty Curriculum
SUMMER CAMP: Ohio’s Learning Standards

The profession of Early Childhood Education is always changing in Ohio and across the country. Assistant Teachers must make a commitment to stay abreast of these changes by reading the latest research on achieving positive child outcomes, preparing children for school success with early talk and being willing to try new strategies to best serve the needs of young children and their families. Each day you should laugh, play, grow and learn as you nurture and teach young children.