Preschool Aide

Position Description

Grace Preschool Teacher’s Aide

Part time

Monday - Friday 8:30am-12:30pm OR 12:30pm-3:30pm

School year runs September 2, 2025 - May 22, 2026

With the addition of employee family orientation PD prior to start as well as end of year cleaning after school year end. Dates to be determined.

Grace Preschool seeks to hire a creative, competent, and passionate teacher aide to collaboratively foster the development, curiosity and creativity of young children in a warm, loving and play-based classroom.

Principal Function: The Grace Preschool Aide works collaboratively with the director, teachers, aides, families, students and community to foster an environment that supports the growth and development of all students.

Personal Abilities and Competencies

• Communication Skills: has excellent verbal and listening skills with both children and adults. Utilizes these skills to develop and maintain relationships.
• Self and Time Management Skills: maintains a calm demeanor with students, staff, and families when responding under pressure. Is punctual and reliable. Regular attendance is a core function of this role.
• Classroom Experience: is proficient in classroom management and has an understanding of early childhood development. Knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach is appreciated. Curiosity and/or a willingness to learn about this and similar pedagogy is required.
• Collaborative Mindset: is able to collaborate with the lead teacher, director, staff members, students and families to create a harmonious, constructive and differentiated classroom environment.
• Life Long Learner: is committed to lifelong learning and willing to utilize this competency to strengthen their teaching skills as well as come beside students as a co-learner in the classroom.

Primary Responsibilities

• Uphold the mission, vision, and values of Grace Preschool.
• Build genuine, nurturing relationships with students.
• Provide proactive care and supervision of students.
• Engage in observation and documentation of student growth throughout the year.
• Collaborate with other teachers to ensure individual needs of students are met in a positive and enriching way.
• Know and uphold all Grace Preschool policies and procedures.
• Attend staff meetings, school orientations, and other in-house training sessions. Maintain 16 hours of professional development each calendar year with the support of the director.
• Attend school events as required and/or possible.
• Assist with preparing and maintaining the learning environment prior to the beginning of the school year as well as on a daily basis throughout the year.
• Assist with the end of year classroom and school clean-up.

Qualifications

• Education: Some education in Early Childhood Education preferred, but not required.
• Experience: 1-2 years of Early Childhood experience preferred, but not required.
• Disposition: Willing to learn and curious about developing positive learning environments.
• Certifications: First Aid and CPR Certified. MiRegistry Health and Safety Trainings. (May be completed upon hire).
• Background Check: Must pass a background check prior to hiring.

Relationships of Support and Accountability

• The Teacher’s Aide will report to the Director of Grace Preschool. It is expected that there will be regular meetings and open communication to facilitate a harmonious working relationship.
• The Teacher’s Aide will be responsible for participating in a reflection with the Director after 3 months and an evaluation annually.

Pay and Benefits:

• This position will be paid $17/hr
• PTO to be determined based on hours worked/week
• Seasonal Breaks in alignment with the East Grand Rapids Public School calendar
• Professional Development

To Apply

Send cover letter, resume and professional references to . Direct inquiries to . Position will remain open until filled.

About Grace Preschool

At Grace Preschool we believe that all children are curious, capable and competent (and creative! and compassionate!). We seek to provide a learning environment where children are called to explore the world around them in meaningful and holistic ways. Through this exploration, we continue strengthening children’s innate love of learning and help build social skills for school and life. Children at Grace Preschool will hear about God’s never ending, never changing love and will explore how to share this love with the world around them. Students are supported and challenged as they develop across all domains of growth. We strive to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and work actively to learn more about what this means.

Grace Preschool is committed to building and sustaining a welcoming community that supports the inclusion of all families, educators, and administrators. We are committed to the recruitment and retention of diverse employees and families and believe that the diversity of children, families, and educators enrich the educational experiences of all children. Please visit our at gracepreschoolgr.org to learn more about us!

Grace Preschool’s equal employment opportunity policy provides that no applicant or employee be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, gender expression, marital status, age, sexual orientation, national origin, hairstyle, disability, pregnancy, or any other category protected by federal law. Such discrimination in any of its activities or operations is prohibited by law and will not be tolerated by Grace Preschool. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 20 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Application Question(s):

• Tell us a little bit about your experience and/or interest in working with preschoolers.
• Do you have experience in Reggio Emilia and/or the Emergent Curriculum? If so, please share a bit about how this philosophy resonates with you.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17