PreKindergarten Instructional Aide

Position Type: Support Staff/Instructional Assistant

Date Posted: 10/1/2025

Reports To: PreK Director and Building Principal

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Days: 177 days. Anticipated work schedule 8:00 am-3:45 pm with a 30 minute lunch. 7.25 hours per day

Rate of Pay: Pay Range is $17.35-23.35 per hour (based on experience). Benefits and board paid IMRF available.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of a certified Prekindergarten Teacher, the Instructional Aide provides essential support to the classroom environment and students. This includes assisting the teacher with instructional activities, preparing materials, and working with small groups or individual students to reinforce learning concepts. The aide helps to ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging educational experience for all children. Additionally, the role may involve supervising students during non-instructional times, such as lunch, recess, or arrival/dismissal, and providing general classroom support to help maintain an organized and effective learning space. The aide may also assist in the upkeep and organization of instructional materials and classroom resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Instructional Support: Assist the certified Prekindergarten Teacher in implementing daily lessons and educational activities by preparing materials, setting up learning centers, and helping to manage classroom transitions.
• Student Supervision: Supervise students closely during both instructional and non-instructional times, including classroom activities, group projects, playtime, recess, lunch, nap time, and arrival/dismissal, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
• Small Group and Individual Aid: Work with small groups of students or one-on-one to reinforce learning concepts, practice foundational skills (like letter recognition or counting), and provide targeted support as directed by the teacher.
• Classroom Management and Organization: Help maintain a clean, organized, and inviting learning environment. This includes tidying the room, organizing supplies, sanitizing toys, and assisting with the display of student work.
• Behavior and Social-Emotional Support: Model appropriate social behavior and help students learn to manage their emotions, share, and follow classroom rules, including helping students with conflict resolution.
• Personal Care Assistance: Provide supportive assistance with essential personal care routines.
• Communication: Maintain open and professional communication with the lead teacher regarding student progress, needs, and any concerns that arise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must hold a valid IL paraprofessional license.
• Minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of college credit, an Associate Degree, or completion of the WorkKeys Paraprofessional Program with a Certificate of Proficiency.
• Prior experience working with children is desirable.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills to work with teachers, education support personnel, building administrators, and the general public.
• Enforce school regulations and policies in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and pupils.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Requires employee to have the ability to push/pull up to 10 lbs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Child Development: General knowledge of the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development stages of children aged 3-5 (Prekindergarten).
• Safety Procedures: Knowledge of basic first aid, emergency protocols, and best practices for ensuring a safe and hygienic classroom environment.
• Instructional Techniques: Basic understanding of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and positive behavior management strategies relevant to early childhood education.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional skill in establishing rapport and positive relationships with young children, parents, and school staff.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and listening skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and patiently with young students and follow directions from the certified teacher.
• Patience and Flexibility: Ability to remain patient, calm, and highly flexible in a dynamic and sometimes demanding early childhood environment.
• Following Direction: Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions from the certified teacher and work effectively as a supportive member of a team.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, which may include standing for extended periods, bending, lifting, and engaging actively with young children on the floor or playground.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding student records, family information, and classroom observations.
• Organizational Skills: Skill in preparing, organizing, and maintaining instructional materials and classroom resources efficiently.

Work Environment

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires a reasonable duration of sitting, walking, and standing. The job is performed under a generally hazard free environment. The employee would be expected to maintain emotional control under stress.