University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant Teacher, Penn Children's Center

Job Profile Title

Assistant Teacher

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Teacher is a key member of the Penn Children’s Center teaching team and is responsible for supporting the Center’s core philosophy of “Learning through Play.” This role works collaboratively with Lead Teachers and colleagues to foster the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of children ages 12 weeks to five years. The Assistant Teacher supports daily classroom operations, curriculum implementation, family communication, and compliance with all applicable early childhood education standards.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Teach, guide, and supervise children ages 12 weeks to five years in accordance with NAEYC, Keystone STARS, and DHS regulations and guidelines.

• Assist Lead Teachers in developing, planning, and implementing daily activities and lesson plans.

• Arrange, organize, and maintain educational materials, classroom environments, and equipment.

• Document daily activities, maintain accurate classroom records, and prepare required reports.

• Communicate regularly with parents through daily updates, monthly newsletters, timely emails, and meetings as needed.

• Maintain a Professional Development Record and complete all required training and credentialing mandates.

• Assume full classroom responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Teacher.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support classroom and Center operations.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or two-year college equivalent and 3–5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field highly preferred.

• Solid understanding of early childhood development and working knowledge of early childhood education standards.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and nurturing skills.

• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and commitment to continuous professional development.

• Flexibility to work during Center operating hours (typically 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) to meet licensing ratios and operational needs.

• Skills or experience in language, art, music, or drama highly valued.

• Ability to work across multiple age groups, including infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Occasional lifting of 25–50 pounds.

• Frequent standing or walking.

• Intermittent sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, and kneeling.

Background Check Requirement:

A comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment background check is required for this position. Periodic background checks may also be conducted during employment in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

About the Division of Business Services:

The Division of Business Services (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-focused campus environment and delivering mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD’s mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner that supports Penn’s academic, research, and community priorities.

The Division is currently focused on three major strategic initiatives:

• Revenue growth and retention through improved marketing efforts, expanded services, and the development of new distribution channels

• Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through enhanced use of technology

• Enhancing service offerings through facility upgrades and expansions

Learn more: https://business-services.upenn.edu

About Penn Children's Center:

Penn Children’s Center provides high-quality early childhood education for children ages three months to five years. Located on the University of Pennsylvania campus, PCC serves the University and surrounding communities through a developmentally appropriate, play-based approach that supports lifelong learning and growth.

Learn more: https://business-services.upenn.edu/childcare

Department / School

Business Services

Pay Range

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay