Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood AAS Students — Your Degree Opens Doors NOW

Your Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education qualifies you for several roles in NYC Public Schools and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) right away. Here's what you can do immediately and how to build toward a full teaching career.

You Can Apply TODAY For:

• Assistant Teacher in 3-K / Pre-K at a CBO
• Teachers' Aide at a CBO
• Substitute Paraprofessional (with principal nomination)
• Study-Plan Lead Teacher track (with a bachelor's)

Your AAS Already Qualifies You For:

• Direct hire as an Assistant Teacher at a 3-K/Pre-K CBO
• Working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Full-time positions with benefits at CBOs
• Career advancement support from NYCPS

Next Steps to Lead Teacher:

• Transfer credits toward a Bachelor's degree
• Use the Career Training Program (CTP) for tuition help
• Pursue NYS Early Childhood (Birth–Grade 2) certification
• Become a Pre-K Lead Teacher within 5 years

💼 Immediate Opportunities

Roles you can apply to right now — even before earning a bachelor's degree. Salary ranges and benefits vary by role and employer (NYC Public Schools vs. CBO).

Substitute Paraprofessional

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• U.S. work authorization
• Principal nomination required
• English proficiency (oral & written)

Note: No benefits, but flexible schedule. Great entry point!

Full-Time Paraprofessional

Requirements:

• Complete 25+ days as a substitute para first
• NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate (Initial)
• Pass NYSTCE / ATAS exam
• School-level vacancy

Includes health insurance, paid leave, pension, and tuition assistance!

Pre-K / 3-K Assistant Teacher (CBO)

Requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• HS diploma or GED
• Valid NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate (Level 1+)
• Apply via Early Childhood Teacher Finder (ECTF)

Teachers' Aide (Part-Time)

Requirements (any ONE of these):

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential + 2 yrs experience
• HS diploma + 9 credits in Early Childhood / Child Development
• Study plan toward an Early Childhood AAS

Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA)

Requirements:

• Must be a full-time paraprofessional already
• Selected by school for career-ladder role
• Support instruction, small groups, mentor other paras

Bilingual Pupil Services (BPS)

Requirements:

• Bilingual paraprofessional (Spanish, Chinese, or Haitian-Creole)
• Commit to pursuing teaching certification
• Title I elementary school placement

👥 Paraprofessionals — The Complete Guide

Paraprofessionals (also called teaching assistants or "paras") provide instructional services to students under a certified teacher's supervision. Most NYC paras work in special education and early childhood classrooms.

🗺️ The 5-Stage Substitute Paraprofessional Process

Nomination by a Principal

You must be nominated by an NYC school principal. Reach out to schools directly! Each school nominates based on vacancies, special requirements (gender, languages, lifting/toileting), and projected needs.

Assessment

Demonstrate oral and written English proficiency by responding to an assigned topic. Candidates who don't pass cannot reapply within the same school year.

Pre-Processing (Workshops, Fingerprints, Test Registration)

Complete employment forms, get fingerprinted at an IdentoGO location, and complete these NYSED-approved workshops:

• Child Abuse Identification
• School Violence Prevention
• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
• Autism Workshop
• Register for or pass the NYSTCE / ATAS exam

Processing Event

Attend an in-person processing event and receive training on Bloodborne Pathogens and the SubCentral absence-management system.

Staffing — You're Approved!

Pending clearance, you'll be approved to substitute citywide. Approval is valid for the school year and must be renewed annually (20+ days of service required to renew).

🧸 Pre-K & 3-K Teaching Opportunities

NYC Pre-K and 3-K programs operate in three settings — and your AAS can get you in the door at CBOs immediately, with pathways to lead teacher roles at all three.

District Schools

Pre-K programs inside public elementary schools. Staffed by NYCPS employees with full DOE benefits.

Best for: Certified teachers (Birth–Grade 2, N–6, P–6, or Students with Disabilities).

Pre-K Centers

District-operated centers dedicated exclusively to early childhood. NYCPS-staffed with full benefits.

Best for: Certified Pre-K teachers and certified paras.

Community-Based Orgs (CBOs)

Daycares, faith-based, and non-profit partners that contract with NYCPS. CBOs hire directly.

Best for AAS grads: Most accessible entry point — Assistant Teacher and Study-Plan tracks available.

📜 Teaching Assistant Certification

The NYS Teaching Assistant certificate authorizes you to provide direct instruction under a certified teacher. To qualify, you must pass the NYSTCE / ATAS exam AND complete required workshops (Child Abuse, SAVE / Violence Prevention, DASA).

🛤️ Pathways from Paraprofessional → Teacher

NYC Public Schools offers multiple supported routes to becoming a fully certified classroom teacher. These programs include financial assistance, mentorship, and flexible coursework.

NYC Teaching Fellows

For paras and career-changers with a bachelor's degree. Complete intensive summer pre-service training, then teach full-time while earning a subsidized master's.

• Bachelor's degree by May 31, 2026
• Min 2.5 undergrad GPA
• High-need subjects (Math, Science, SpEd, Bilingual)

NYC Teaching Collaborative

Apprentice with an experienced teacher in the fall, then start full-time teaching in the spring. Subsidized master's included.

Empire State Teaching Residency

1,000 hours of clinical experience + $30,000 annual stipend while earning a master's degree.

Ed Prep Program

For school-based staff (including paras) with a non-education bachelor's. Complete coursework while keeping your current role.

Para Undergrad Pathway

Earn a bachelor's degree leading to NYS certification with direct support from NYCPS — designed for current paraprofessionals.

Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA)

A career-ladder role for paras: support instruction, supervise small groups, and even provide absence coverage. +$5,000/year.

💰 Financial Support & Tuition Assistance

If you're working as a para and pursuing further education, NYC Public Schools offers several reimbursement and tuition-support programs.

Career Training Program (CTP)

Pays tuition for 3–6 undergraduate credits per semester at a participating college.

• Must be a full-time NYCPS para (no bachelor's yet)
• Maintain 2.0 GPA minimum
• Mandatory matriculation after 45 credits
• Summer stipend available
• 2.5 hours/week paid release time for study (5+ credits)

Student Teaching Leave of Absence

40-day paid leave for paras completing student teaching as part of a NYSED-approved certification program.

• Full-time, active 1+ year of experience
• Minimum 2.5 GPA

Graduate Reimbursement Program

Reimburses up to 12 graduate credits at CUNY graduate tuition rate.

• Matriculated in NYS-approved graduate program
• Completed 12+ credits with B or better
• 1+ full year as NYCPS para

One-time reimbursement of up to $400 for state teacher certification application & exam fees.

✍️ How to Apply — Your Action Plan

Ready to take the next step? Here's exactly what to do, in order, based on the role you're targeting.

🎯 If you want a Pre-K / 3-K Assistant Teacher role at a CBO:

• Get your NYS Teaching Assistant certificate (pass NYSTCE/ATAS + workshops)
• Complete the CBO Early Childhood Teacher Application on TeachNYC.net
• Upload your resume and AAS transcript
• Wait for application review (a few weeks)
• Search the Early Childhood Teacher Finder (ECTF) for open roles
• Send cover letters and complete interviews/demo lessons
• Complete fingerprinting before your start date

🎯 If you want to become a Substitute Paraprofessional:

• Confirm you have HS diploma/GED + U.S. work authorization
• Fill out the General Substitute Paraprofessional Interest Survey
• Contact NYC public schools directly to seek principal nomination
• Pass Stage II English proficiency assessment
• Complete fingerprinting + 4 required workshops
• Register for the NYSTCE / ATAS exam
• Attend the Processing Event
• Begin substituting via the SubCentral system

🎯 If you want to become a Full-Time Paraprofessional:

• Start as a Substitute Para and serve 25+ days
• Apply for and obtain the Initial Teaching Assistant Certificate (NYSED)
• Network with schools that have full-time vacancies
• Apply directly to school for permanent appointment

🔗 Essential Links & Resources

📋 Official NYC DOE Pages

• 📌 NYC DOE Careers Hub
• 📌 Paraprofessionals Page
• 📌 Pre-K Teaching Opportunities
• 📌 All Other School Jobs

🎯 Application Portals

• 📌 TeachNYC Main Site
• 📌 Certified Teacher Application Portal
• 📌 Pre-K Application (Not-Yet-Certified)
• 📌 SubCentral (Substitute System)

📜 Certification & Testing

• 📌 NYSED Teaching Assistant Certification
• 📌 NYSTCE Exam Registration
• 📌 Required Workshops

🛤️ Pathway Programs

• 📌 All Pathways to Teaching
• 📌 Career Training Program (CTP)
• 📌 NYC Teaching Fellows
• 📌 NYC Pre-K Site Map