Jobs

About the position:

The Pre-K Classroom Assistant / Afterschool Generalist supports the Beginners (Pre-K) program during the school day by partnering with the Beginners teaching team to provide consistent student support and maintenance of daily routines, in a warm and welcoming play-based environment. Each afternoon, this educator joins the Auxiliary Programs team to provide engaging programming and supervision in Beginners Extended Day and Afterschool.

Working closely with the Beginners teachers, the Pre-K Support Teacher supports lunch, rest time, classroom routines, transitions, and learning activities. This position provides flexible support throughout the Beginners program while fostering children’s growing independence, curiosity, and social-emotional development. The role also serves as an important bridge between the school day and Auxiliary Programs, helping ensure a smooth and consistent experience for students as they transition into Extended Day and Afterschool.

In the afternoons, this educator becomes a member of the Auxiliary Programs team, helping facilitate engaging, play-based activities for students in Beginners Extended Day and Afterschool for students in Beginners through Grade V. This is an in-person, part-time, school-year position (August–June) with a standard schedule of 24 hours per week. The regular schedule is:

• Monday: 1:15–5:45 pm
• Tuesday: 1:15–5:45 pm
• Wednesday: 11:45 AM–5:45 pm
• Thursday: 1:15–5:45 pm
• Friday: 1:15–5:45 pm

Occasionally, the schedule may vary to accommodate special school events or adjusted school-day schedules. Hourly employees are paid for all hours worked, rounded to the nearest quarter hour. The target start date for this position is August 26, 2026. This position is eligible for benefits including prorated health, dental, and vision insurance, paid school holidays, and retirement plan contributions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Pre-K Classroom Support (Approximately 45% of the work week)

• Partner with the Beginners (Pre-K) teaching team to provide classroom support throughout the school day.
• Support daily classroom routines including lunch, rest time, transitions, centers, and indoor and outdoor learning experiences.
• Work with individual students, small groups, and whole classes under the direction of classroom teachers.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain classroom materials, supplies, and shared learning spaces.
• Assist in creating calm, joyful, and developmentally appropriate classroom environments that foster children’s independence, curiosity, and social-emotional growth.
• Support students during transitions between classrooms, outdoor spaces, and Auxiliary Programs.
• Participate in regular check-ins with the Beginners teaching team to coordinate classroom support and student needs.

Afterschool & Extended Day (Approximately 45% of the work week)

• Take the lead in supervising, planning, and facilitating Beginners Extended Day and Afterschool activities, play, and daily routines for Lower School students (Beginners–Grade V).
• Plan and facilitate engaging, play-based experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration, and exploration.
• Support students during transitions, snack, outdoor play, homework, and choice-based programming.
• Monitor daily attendance and dismissal using SchoolPass.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment that encourages independence and positive peer relationships.
• Participate in weekly Auxiliary Programs team meetings.
• Meet regularly with the Auxiliary Programs supervisor for coaching, support, and professional growth.

Community Support & School Life (Approximately 10% of the work week)

• Collaborate with classroom teachers, specialists, and Auxiliary Programs colleagues to support students throughout the school day.
• Maintain positive, professional communication with students, colleagues, and families.
• Model and uphold Shady Hill School’s values of kindness, curiosity, responsibility, and belonging.
• Participate in the rotating “Late Stay” schedule, ensuring all remaining Afterschool students are safely dismissed to their families or authorized caregivers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• Previous experience working with young children, preferably in a school, childcare, camp, or group setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and families.
• Interest in early childhood education, child development, and progressive educational practices.
• Commitment to respecting the needs of each child and honoring the pace of childhood.
• Ability to actively supervise young children indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and actively engage in the physical demands of working with young children, including bending, kneeling, reaching, and standing for extended periods.

Preferred

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Experience supporting preschool or early childhood classrooms.
• Experience implementing Responsive Classroom or similar child-centered practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diverse, equitable, inclusive, and identity-affirming learning communities.

The hourly rate for this position will be $22 – $25 per hour, depending on experience.

To apply: please send a cover letter and resume to apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “Pre-K Assistant/Afterschool Generalist” in the subject line of the email.

Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the USA. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org.