Playground Associate Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

At The Centers, meaningful work is grounded in a culture where people feel valued. As a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces winner, the organization is nationally recognized, based entirely on employee feedback, for trust, purpose, and care. This position plays an important role in advancing our mission and supporting the communities we serve.
Job Summary
The Teacher Assistant - Early Learning designs, develops, and implements developmentally appropriate programs and lesson plans for children in their care. Will utilize High Scope approaches to develop content and employ multiple teaching strategies to accommodate learning differences such as, those with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP).
Job Qualifications

• CDA or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• CPR/First Aid, Communicable Disease, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention within 90 days of hire (training provided by The Centers).
• Some entry-level experience in a classroom setting required; early childhood focus preferred.
• Occasional evening hours may be required.
• No record of child abuse or moral turpitude as determined by background check based on fingerprints.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the assigned children in the Teacher's classroom; meets the social, emotional, physical and cognitive developmental needs of children in routine areas of their care and throughout their planned daily schedule of activities.
• Completes individual assessments and screenings for children in their care; formulates plans to support children with special needs.
• Helps individual children recognize and use acceptable behavior; demonstrates empathy for misbehavior and responds professionally; sets reasonable limits for children; uses incidents of misbehavior to teach children positive behavior, social awareness, social interaction skills, verbal skills, etc.
• Will always supervise children while in care custody and control.
• Help maintain exciting well-equipped learning environments to foster exploration.
• Participate in a cooperative team of teachers
• Cultivate optimal growth and development through High Scope Curriculum activities in both the indoor and outdoor environment.
• Promote personalized planning with high levels of teacher-child interactions under the direction of a supervisor.
• As a teaching team, help design, develop, and implement developmentally appropriate activity plans for children based on assessment and screening data.
• Be a team member in engaging parents through caring, meaningful, and professional relationships to enhance child(ren)'s development.

Other Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of the assigned classroom area, other areas in the center, toys and equipment regularly throughout the day
• Responsible for laundry within the assigned classroom - washing, drying, and folding, as needed.
• Maintains playground area by cleaning and sanitizing high touch areas after each classroom outside play.
• Assist Center with child enrollment by communicating with community members and passing out flyers.
• Other duties as assigned.

About The Centers
The Centers provide health, family, and workforce services at 11 locations throughout Greater Cleveland, creating life-changing solutions for people to lead healthier and more successful lives. We strive to be a service-oriented workplace that pioneers and co-creates solutions while fostering belonging in a community where our team members thrive.
Our Early Learning Centers and programs provides high-quality care for children during the critical first 2,000 days of life by operating seven high-quality early learning centers, serving children birth through five years old, in Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs. Because of our high standards, all sites achieved a 5-Star rating on the Step-Up-To-Quality Rating and been recognized and selected to be part of Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) and PRE4CLE.
Wellbeing and Benefits
Providing quality benefits to our staff is important to us. Just as important is our staff's well-being. That's why we offer a number of choices to meet the different needs of our staff.

• Choice of medical and dental plans
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
• Vision
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings (401k) with a company contribution
• Mental Health Support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Calm Subscription
• Short and Longterm Disability

The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.