Part-time Assistant Preschool Teacher

College Park Nursery School, a family-run cooperative school for children ages 2-5, is seeking a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Assistant Preschool Teacher to join their teaching staff. This is a part-time position of approximately 12-18 hours/week. The position runs during the CPNS school year, which runs from September through May. For the 2026-27 school year, shifts are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8.30AM to 3PM, with Tuesday required and the remaining days negotiable based on availability.

The Assistant Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing support to the lead teachers in caring for children enrolled in the program. This position involves assisting with various tasks such as supervising indoor and outdoor play, snack and lunchtime, toileting and hygiene routines, facility cleaning, and other assigned duties. As desired, this individual may also be involved with designing and implementing activities for the students. There is the potential for hours and responsibilities to be expanded depending upon the school’s needs and the individual’s performance.

Pay is commensurate with experience and training, and ranges from $18.30 to $25.17/hour. Benefits include paid holidays and paid time off, retirement matching through a SIMPLE IRA account, and a tuition discount for a child enrolled at CPNS (if applicable). This individual reports to the Director and the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, you MUST must meet any items below marked as “required”:

• Experience working with young children (ages 2-5) - Required

• Minimum age of 18 years old - Required

• Pass a state and federal background check as required by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) - Required

• CPR and first aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification immediately upon hire - Required

• Current Maryland Child Care Credential or willingness to apply for credential within 60 days of hiring - Required

• Up-to-date immunizations, including COVID-19 - Required

• Fluent in computer and communication programs (text, email, Google Workspace, Zoom, etc.)

• Experience with a cooperative preschool as an employee, parent participant, or consultant.

Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist lead teachers in providing care for children between the ages of 2 and 5.

• Collaborate with lead teachers to supervise indoor and outdoor play activities.

• Engage with children using developmentally appropriate methods and strategies.

• Assist with snack and lunchtime routines, ensuring children's well-being and proper hygiene practices.

• Support children with toileting needs, including assisting with handwashing and other hygiene tasks.

• Support the other staff and family co-opers in facility cleaning tasks to maintain a clean and safe environment.

• Participate in monthly staff meetings.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by lead teachers.

• Complete all MSDE annual training requirements.

• Assist lead teachers in the staffing of the Aftercare and Summer Camp program.

• Maintain Maryland State Child Care Credential, submitting renewal materials annually and upgrade/update materials when appropriate.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

These non-essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in school meetings and events.

• Contribute to designing and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for students, as desired and assigned.

• Assisting with administrative duties in the school office.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the Assistant Teacher to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Ability to physically interact with children, including bending, stooping, and kneeling.

• Capability to lift and carry children and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to stand for extended periods during classroom activities and events.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic and energetic environment with frequent noise and activity.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• The work environment primarily consists of a preschool classroom setting, including both indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Adherence to health and safety guidelines, including COVID-19 protocols, is essential.

• Availability to work 2-3 mornings a week (per the preschool's schedule) and up to 3 afternoons for aftercare.

Training Requirements

The selected individual must pass a background check and have completed the following health, safety and childcare training prior to the start of work.

• First Steps in Child Care: An Orientation

• Basic Health and Safety

Application Process

For consideration, please submit a resume, letter of interest and three professional references here.

The position officially begins in September 2026. We will begin reviewing the first round of applications on Monday, August 31 2026, though this posting will remain open until the position is filled.