Preschool Teaching Assistant

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process. Job Requisition ID: 2026-01371 Time Type: Part time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Academic Delivery Support Employment Type: Permanent Department: Faculty of Arts - Psychology - Early Childhood Education Centre Hiring Range: $56,494.16 - $70,617.70 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is July 23, 2026 at 11:59PM Job Description: Primary Purpose The Teaching Assistant is responsible for assisting the Preschool Teachers in providing a quality, developmentally appropriate program to children 2.5 to 5 years of age and to support research activity. The Teaching Assistant is responsible for supporting the children’s program alongside the Preschool Teachers. Key Accountabilities Providing developmentally appropriate programs for young children that reflect the goals and philosophy of the ECEC Assisting in preparing and maintaining the learning environment Assisting in the planning, preparing, presenting and evaluating of learning experiences for children Supervising and caring for children with a daily awareness of health and safety issues Supporting individual children as needed (special needs, separation anxiety, etc.) Assist teachers by preparing documentation of children’s learning using various methods and tools Provide teachers with input concerning individual children’s progress and assist in gathering examples of children’s work Welcoming and supporting parents Greeting parents and helping them feel comfortable in our setting Providing parents with ongoing informal information about the program, community resources and individual children Participating in parent events ECEC Team Work Facilitating the work of researchers and participating in research as required Supporting students on placement or volunteering in the ECEC Substituting for an absent Preschool Teacher Acting as Designate Director when assigned Assisting at ECEC special events such as field trips and community functions Participating actively as a team member at staff meetings, collaborative reflection sessions, in generating and exchanging ideas, in goal setting and in sharing the responsibility for all the children enrolled Assist in carrying out the shared team tasks (weekly sanitizing, room set up, end of day clean up, laundry, playdough making, etc.) Provide input to the ongoing evaluation of the program and annual goal setting Assist with work to further the ECEC annual goals Provide information to outside agencies about individual children when required Carrying out individual project tasks as assigned (Sanitizer mixing, book library updates) Ongoing professional learning Participating in ECEC staff professional development opportunities, reflective practice sessions and book studies Required Qualifications Education Early Childhood Education Diploma as a minimum requirement.Preferred to have a Degree in Early Childhood Education OR Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Child Studies or a related field AND an Early Childhood Education Diploma Experience Experience working in a play based, emergent curriculum setting with a preschool age population.Familiar with the Ministry of Education document How Does Learning Happen?Knowledge of the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 (CCEYA) and the ability to meet the specifications of this Act. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Must be a Registered Early Childhood Educator with the College of ECE of Ontario; Holder of a current Standard First Aid Certificate and Infant/Child/Adult CPR certificate; Holder of a valid Safe Food Handler certificate. Equity Statement The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations. The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935. At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact. Learn more about Waterloo Current employees, please apply via the Job Hub. Internal candidates are reviewed first before external applicants are considered. Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.