Pre-K Teacher's Assistant

Five Star Kids Pre‑K Program

Pre‑K Teacher Assistant

Salary: $16.00—$17.50 an hour

Orientation and training to begin May, 2026.

Schedule:

11:15 am – 5:45 pm, Monday‑Friday. Holidays, nights, and weekends off.*

Location:

Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Regional Office, 1465 Lakeside Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (off Independence Blvd., ½ mile outside of JEBLC Gate
5).

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma and meet one of the following education/experience requirements:
  • Six credits in early childhood education (ECE) or early childhood development (ECD) and six months’ experience as a teacher; OR
  • Three credits in ECE or ECD and one‑year experience as a teacher; OR
  • Hold a national competency‑based credential such as the Certified Childcare Professional® (CCP) or Child Development Associate™ (CDA) (or an approved state equivalent) and one year of experience as a teacher.

• Complete background checks and comply with all Virginia Department of Social Services licensing requirements.
• Knowledge of curriculum and techniques for integrating curriculum, ASYMCA policies and effective instructional practices.
• Thorough understanding of the teaching and learning process.
• Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education.
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, parents and community.
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills.
• CPR and First Aid required. Daily Health Observations and MAT training desired.
• Basic understanding of technology, including Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of the military lifestyle and community social services agencies (a plus).
• Significant standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. Must be able to lift up to 55 pounds, go up and down stairs, and be outdoors at least 60 minutes a day.

Attendance & Punctuality:
Absences are infrequent and do not place an undue burden on supervisor or colleagues. Arrives within enough time to be ready to be fully engaged for the agreed‑upon schedule.

Organizational Skill:
With a large group of young children, teachers need to be organized. This includes having well‑planned lessons, easily accessible materials, and a safe and inviting classroom. A designated area for supplies creates a sense of order in the classroom. When everything is in place and there is a routine, children feel more comfortable and focused on learning.

Communication

Skills:

Teachers must clearly and concisely explain activities, expectations, and rules to young children. They also need to be good listeners to understand what children are saying and identify any problems they may have. When speaking with families, clear and frequent communication builds a strong partnership. Avoid using jargon and speak in a clear, direct manner when discussing their child’s progress with families.

Classroom Management

Skills:

A skilled preschool teacher uses effective classroom management strategies to create a positive learning environment for all children while still providing individualized attention. This includes choosing the optimal classroom layout, establishing daily routines, and managing transitions between activities. Avoiding downtime and creating consistent daily schedules will help keep children busy and engaged.

Lesson Planning

Skills:

Teacher’s Assistants must follow developmentally appropriate lessons that meet each child’s needs. This includes knowing what skills must be taught and how to teach them in an engaging and fun way. Teachers need to be flexible in their planning and be able to adjust lessons quickly if necessary. This might mean adding an extra activity or modifying an existing one to meet the children’s needs more successfully.

Behavior Management

Skills:

Children may get physical or throw tantrums at some point during their preschool years. Therefore, teachers need a system to respond to challenging…