CHILDRENS LEARNING CENTER - Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Job Classification
Hourly Full-time (35-40)
Position summary
The Crayon Box is seeking a caring, dependable, and energetic individual who enjoys working with young children to join our Pre-K classroom team. This position supports the Lead Teacher in maintaining a structured, engaging, and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. Responsibilities include assisting with daily routines, classroom activities, supervision, and positive guidance. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, exploration, and school readiness.
No formal early childhood education is required - reliability, teamwork, and a genuine love for working with children are most important.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Lunch: 1-hour unpaid lunch break daily
Qualifications summary
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Must be 18 years of age or older with a hs diploma/GED.
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Minimum of 1 year experience working with children.
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Demonstrated ability to be highly punctual and effectively manage time and classroom responsibilities.
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A genuine love for working with young children and supporting their growth/development.
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Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
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Must be reliable, collaborative, and genuinely enjoy working with young children.
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No formal early childhood education is required.
Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
Duties and responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The teacher is responsible for supporting a well-managed, nurturing classroom that promotes learning through consistent routines, structure, and clear expectations. Strong classroom management, reliability, and teamwork are essential to this role.
Support a Structured Learning Environment
Follow and implement the daily classroom schedule, helping maintain a balanced routine that includes academic learning, play, meals, rest, and transitions.
Engage Children in Learning
Assist in implementing age-appropriate lessons and activities that align with The Crayon Box curriculum and support children’s growth in all developmental areas.
Maintain Classroom Organization
Help ensure the classroom and shared spaces are clean, organized, and inviting. Participate in daily care duties such as distributing meals, washing dishes, and organizing classroom materials.
Ensure Safety and Supervision
Actively supervise children at all times—indoors, outdoors, and during transitions—to ensure a safe and secure environment.
Promote Positive Behavior
Model respectful interactions, encourage appropriate behavior, and use consistent, positive guidance techniques that support children’s social and emotional development.
Collaborate with Team Members
Work closely with the Lead Teacher, other classroom staff, and the Director to maintain consistent routines and support the overall goals of the program.
Communicate Effectively
Maintain clear and professional communication with coworkers, children, and families. Demonstrate strong oral and written English skills.
Demonstrate Professionalism
Uphold The Crayon Box’s mission, policies, and procedures while maintaining a calm, positive, and dependable attitude.
Comply with Regulations
Follow all Crayon Box policies and all local, state, and national standards for child health, safety, and licensing requirements.
Assist as Needed
Perform additional duties as requested to support smooth classroom operations and the overall success of the center.
No formal early childhood education is required - reliability, teamwork, and a genuine love for working with children are most important.
Supervisory responsibilities
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May serve as Staff in Charge when the Director is not on the premises, helping ensure smooth daily operations and maintaining professional communication with parents, staff, visitors, and licensing representatives.
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Independently supervise and manage the Pre-K classroom, maintaining consistent routines, safety procedures, and engaging learning activities when additional staff support is limited or unavailable.
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Provide support and guidance to assistant teachers, student workers, and volunteers, modeling appropriate classroom management, supervision, and professional conduct.
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Ensure active supervision of all children at all times, both indoors and outdoors, following all licensing requirements and center safety practices.
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Help maintain a positive, structured learning environment that reflects The Crayon Box mission, values, and commitment to hands-on, play-based learning.
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Support implementation of center policies and procedures, including health, safety, and licensing standards, and report concerns to the Director when needed.
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Assist in maintaining organized classrooms and shared spaces, helping ensure materials, equipment, and environments remain safe and ready for children’s use.
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Promote a team-oriented work environment, working cooperatively with the Director, Lead Teachers, and other staff to support smooth daily operations.
No formal early childhood education is required - reliability, teamwork, and a genuine love for working with children are most important.
Qualifications
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Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED.
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Minimum of one year of experience working with children required. Experience in an early childhood education center is preferred, but other relevant experience working with children may be considered in place of classroom experience.
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No formal early childhood education is required - reliability, teamwork, and a genuine love for working with children are most important.
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Willingness to complete MiRegistry-approved training, including required professional development hours in areas such as Program Management, Observation and Assessment, Teaching and Learning, Interactions and Guidance, Challenging Behaviors, and Trauma-Informed Practices, as required by Michigan child care licensing.
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Demonstrated ability to maintain strong classroom management, including establishing structure, clear expectations, and consistent routines.
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Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to support daily schedules, transitions, and classroom activities effectively.
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Basic understanding of child development and preschool learning practices.
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Knowledge of health, safety, sanitation, and child care licensing requirements, or willingness to learn and follow them.
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Ability to guide children’s behavior using positive, developmentally appropriate techniques.
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Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, when working with children, families, and coworkers.
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Dependable, punctual, and organized, demonstrating professionalism and reliability in daily responsibilities.
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Warm, patient, and genuinely enjoys working with young children.
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Ability to work collaboratively as part of a classroom team and contribute to a positive work environment.
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Willingness to uphold and support the mission, philosophy, and policies of The Crayon Box Children’s Learning Center.
Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
Technical competencies
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Ability to operate basic classroom technology, including a television, DVD player, and CD player for educational programming and classroom activities.
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Ability to learn and operate basic classroom devices, such as tablets or iPads, if implemented in the future for classroom communication or documentation.
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Ability to use basic office equipment, including printers, copiers, and telephones as needed.
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Ability to follow simple procedures for audio-visual equipment setup and use to support learning activities.
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Willingness to learn any new technology or systems introduced by the center to support classroom communication, documentation, or instruction.
Interpersonal interactions
This position requires frequent, positive interaction with young children, families, and coworkers. The teacher must serve as a positive Christian role model, demonstrating kindness, patience, and respect in all interactions. Strong collaboration with teachers, assistants, student workers, and administrators is essential to maintain a supportive and well-functioning classroom environment. The teacher must communicate warmly and professionally with children, families, and staff, even in challenging situations. This role requires building nurturing relationships with children through encouragement, active listening, and supportive presence, while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and needs is essential, and all interactions should reflect the Christ-centered mission and values of The Crayon Box Children’s Learning Center.
Physical demands
The usual and customary methods of performing this position require the following physical demands:
- Frequent physical activity, including significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling
- Regular stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, and balancing
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Ability to actively supervise children in a classroom and outdoor playground environment for extended periods of time.
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Ability to bend, kneel, squat, sit on the floor, and move quickly to respond to children’s needs and ensure safety.
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Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds occasionally (such as assisting children, moving classroom equipment, or supplies).
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Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
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Ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions.
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Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness of children at all times to ensure active supervision.
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Sufficient manual d
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Ability to actively supervise children in a classroom and outdoor playground environment for extended periods of time.
-
Ability to bend, kneel, squat, sit on the floor, and move quickly to respond to children’s needs and ensure safety.
-
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds occasionally (such as assisting children, moving classroom equipment, or supplies).
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Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
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Ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions.
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Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness of children at all times to ensure active supervision.
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Sufficient manual d
-
Ability to actively supervise children in a classroom and outdoor playground environment for extended periods of time.
-
Ability to bend, kneel, squat, sit on the floor, and move quickly to respond to children’s needs and ensure safety.
-
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds occasionally (such as assisting children, moving classroom equipment, or supplies).
-
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
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Ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions.
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Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness of children at all times to ensure active supervision.
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Sufficient manual dexterity to handle classroom materials, food service tasks, and basic cleaning duties.
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exterity to handle classroom materials, food service tasks, and basic cleaning duties.
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exterity to handle classroom materials, food service tasks, and basic cleaning duties.
- Fine motor skills and significant finger dexterity for tasks such as assisting with children’s activities and materials
- Ability to safely lift and carry young children as needed
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The general physical expectations for this role include:
- 5% sitting
- 25% walking
- 70% standing
The work is performed in an early childhood classroom environment which may involve:
- Exposure to temperature fluctuations (indoor/outdoor transitions, playground supervision)
- Potential exposure to childhood illnesses and minor injuries typical of working with young children
Staff members are expected to maintain physical stamina, flexibility, and awareness to ensure a safe and engaging environment for all children in their care.
Work environment
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Work is performed primarily in an early childhood classroom and playground setting that is active, fast-paced, and child-centered.
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The environment may include moderate to high noise levels due to children’s activities, play, and group learning experiences.
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Staff must be comfortable working in a setting that requires constant movement, supervision, and interaction with young children.
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Responsibilities include both indoor classroom work and outdoor supervision in varying weather conditions.
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The position requires frequent interaction with children, parents, staff members, and visitors, requiring professionalism and positive communication at all times.
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The role may involve handling classroom materials, assisting with meals, and maintaining cleanliness and organization throughout the day.