Function

• Preschool paraprofessionals provide supportive assistance for certified or credentialed teachers in schools, daycare centers and early childhood education programs. Typically, these assistant level positions offer extra help with classroom setup, direct care and behavior management for children ages three through six.
  
  

Types

• There are a variety of job titles and types of paraprofessionals working in preschools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, early childhood categories of paraprofessionals may include child care givers, classroom aides, teaching aides or teaching assistants.
  
  

Training

• Different levels of training are required of preschool paraprofessionals working in different school settings. Some public or Head Start preschools may demand specific college-level courses or an associate's degree in child development or early childhood education. Almost all preschools require a minimum of a high school diploma. Paraprofessionals may also, depending on the employer, participate in specific training while at work. These include teacher in-services or mentoring by a certified/lead teacher.