Preschool 3s Classroom Assistant

Preschool 3-year-old Classroom Assistant Job Description  

About Charleston Collegiate:

Charleston Collegiate School (CCS) is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian day school serving students from PS through 12th grade. Situated on a picturesque 30-acre campus of playing fields, wooded trails, and an Outdoor Education Center, CCS is located on Johns Island, just 20 minutes from Charleston’s historic district and the beach resorts of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

Founded in 1970, CCS fosters a challenging and supportive learning community that recognizes, nurtures, and challenges its diverse student body. Organized into Lower School (PS-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12), the school’s mission is to empower students through a student-centered approach that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and individuality. With approximately 410 students, CCS is Charleston’s only independent PS-12 school of its kind, providing a unique education grounded in the pillars of project-based learning, entrepreneurship, arts and creativity, and outdoor education. These foundational elements equip students to become lifelong learners and resilient leaders ready for 21st-century careers.

Job Description

The 3-Year-Old Preschool Assistant Teacher is responsible for supporting a dynamic and developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with the mission, values, and pillars of Charleston Collegiate School. This position requires a nurturing, creative, and organized individual who can foster a love for learning and a sense of community in young children. The assistant teacher will nurture a supportive, stimulating, and inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

The Assistant Preschool Teacher supports the lead teacher in creating and implementing a dynamic and developmentally appropriate curriculum for 3-year-olds. This position requires a nurturing, enthusiastic, and team-oriented individual who can help foster a love for learning and community among young children. The assistant teacher works collaboratively to maintain a supportive, inclusive, and stimulating classroom environment.

Key Responsibilities

Assist the lead teacher in delivering a curriculum aligned with CCS’s Learning approach, incorporating play, exploration, and discovery.

Support students' developmental needs in areas such as early literacy, numeracy, motor skills, and social-emotional growth.

Reinforce CCS core values—empathy, integrity, community, optimism, and advocacy—through daily interactions and activities.

Help establish and maintain a safe, welcoming, and organized classroom environment.

Support the lead teacher in modeling and encouraging positive interactions to build social-emotional skills like cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution.

Facilitate routines and transitions to ensure students feel secure and gain independence.

Collaborate with the lead teacher and Specials team to integrate creative arts, movement, and music into learning experiences.

Assist with classroom management, ensuring clear and consistent expectations for student behavior.

Participate in planning and implementing classroom activities, special projects, and age-appropriate field trips.

Maintain open communication with families by supporting the lead teacher in providing updates on milestones, challenges, and achievements.

Help ensure the classroom is clean, organized, and stocked with necessary materials.

Participate in professional development opportunities, school-wide meetings, and events.

Stay informed about best practices in early childhood education and contribute to their integration in the classroom. 

Qualifications

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.

Experience working with preschool-aged children in an educational setting.

Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Enthusiasm for working in a team-oriented, student-focused environment.

Commitment to supporting outdoor and experiential learning opportunities.

Salary and Benefits

Charleston Collegiate School is committed to attracting and retaining the highest quality faculty and staff through a competitive compensation plan, retirement benefits, and full medical/dental coverage.
Individual salary is negotiable depending on years of experience and educational background.

Non-Discrimination: Charleston Collegiate School values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds.  All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.