Full-Time Preschool Teacher Assistant

Full-Time Preschool Teacher Assistant

Overview

Lakeside Children’s Center, a cherished preschool in the heart of San Francisco's Lakeside neighborhood for 65 years, is seeking experienced, dependable, and proactive Preschool Teacher Assistants to join our team. Our school community, comprising committed staff, engaged parents, and a caring church, collaborates to create nurturing learning environments for our young learners. We are looking for someone who brings strong classroom experience, takes initiative, and works confidently and independently as part of a teaching team.

About the Position

The successful candidate will join an experienced and collaborative teaching team dedicated to creating a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

As a Teacher Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting the daily operation of the classroom and building positive relationships with children and families. The ideal candidate has prior preschool classroom experience, understands daily routines and expectations, and can step into an established classroom with minimal guidance. We are seeking someone who takes initiative, anticipates classroom needs, follows through on responsibilities, and actively contributes without needing constant direction or reminders.

Responsibilities include supporting classroom activities, transitions, mealtimes, rest time, outdoor play, and the school's Extended Care Program. During Extended Care, children from multiple classrooms are combined, providing opportunities to work with children ranging in age from 2.5 years old through Transitional Kindergarten. We are seeking someone who is adaptable, reliable, attentive, and comfortable working with different teachers and age groups while maintaining consistency in classroom routines and expectations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a minimum of 12 early childhood education/child development units.
• Minimum of two consecutive years of full-time experience working directly with children in a licensed preschool or early childhood education classroom.
• Demonstrated ability to manage classroom responsibilities independently, take initiative, and work collaboratively with a teaching team.
• Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, classroom routines, child supervision, and positive behavior guidance.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to follow directions, accept feedback, and complete assigned tasks.
• CPR/First Aid, Preventative Health, Epi-Pen, Mandated Reporter, Pesticides, and Sexual Harassment training required within 90 days of hire, with certification maintenance.
• LiveScan fingerprint and TB clearance.
• Capable and willing to give continuous attention to the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of children in a loving and caring way.
• Physically able to regularly stand, sit, walk, reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, squat, stoop, run, and climb in the performance of daily activities and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Required Adult-Child Ratios: Ensure a safe environment by adhering to the 1:6 adult-child ratio at all times.
• Constant Supervision: Provide constant supervision of children, remaining within sight and sound, to ensure their safety and well-being.
• Implement Classroom Policies: Follow classroom policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of children, promptly reporting incidents, injuries, or symptoms of illness to the appropriate staff and following established parent notification procedures.
• Classroom Organization: Keep the classroom clean, organized, and conducive to learning. Take initiative in preparing materials, maintaining supplies, cleaning up, and completing daily classroom tasks without repeated reminders.
• Support Lesson Execution: Assist lead teachers in carrying out lesson plans and promoting an enriching learning experience for the children. Be prepared to independently lead small-group activities and engage children in meaningful learning experiences when needed.
• Daily Transitions and Routines: Assist with daily transitions, routines, activities, and overall classroom management. Anticipate what needs to happen next and help keep the classroom running smoothly.
• Snack and Meal Preparation: Support the preparation of snacks and lunch, including setup and cleanup, while modeling appropriate meal etiquette.
• Bathroom and Hygiene Support: Assist children with bathroom usage and promote proper handwashing practices.
• Naptime Supervision: Set up and supervise children during naptime to ensure a comfortable and restful experience.
• Positive Communication: Maintain a courteous and professional demeanor when communicating with parents, children, and colleagues. Communicate openly with teaching team members, share responsibilities, respond constructively to feedback, and follow through on expectations.
• Awareness of Children's Needs: Remain attentive to the entire classroom, recognize individual children's needs, and respond appropriately. Recognize when children or colleagues need additional support and step in without waiting to be asked.
• Program Support: Assist in rehearsals for annual Christmas and graduation programs.
• Documentation: Contribute to Brightwheel by sharing photos, anecdotes, and other documentation to keep parents informed about their child's activities and progress. Complete documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Emergency Preparedness: Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures and be prepared to act swiftly in critical situations.
• Professional Development: Attend staff meetings and participate in professional development days. Apply feedback and new learning to daily classroom practices.
• Performance Evaluation: Participate in annual performance evaluations and demonstrate accountability for meeting job expectations.
• Flexibility: Adapt to changing classroom needs, assist in different classrooms or programs when needed, and willingly share responsibilities to support the teaching team and school community.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM

Salary

$19.61–$24.00 per hour, depending on education, experience, and qualifications.

Start Date

November 30, 2026

How to Apply

Please email your cover letter, resume, college transcripts, and three professional references, including at least one former supervisor, to mrsa@lakesidechildrencenter.org. Resumes must include employment dates (month and year) for each position.