Assistant Infant Teacher

Summary

Little Starʼs Infant Program provides a Montessori-inspired, nurturing environment where teachers are committed to meeting each child where they are at developmentally and helping them discover their own curiosity, compassion and love of learning.

Our infant teachers talk and sing with the babies, rock them, hold them and support their unique development at each stage, celebrating and sharing milestones along the way. As our infants get older, teachers offer art projects, sensory experiences, and other similar activities as well as spend time outside exploring the natural environment. As an Assistant Infant Teacher, you assist lead teachers, ensuring the safety and development of the infants by organizing feeding and sleeping systems, daily classroom flow, and team communication. You build relationships with families, tracking student development and participate in conferences twice yearly. As part of the Infant teaching team, you attend level meetings, staff meetings, and annual in-service days, as well as participate in school-wide events and celebrations.

Our infant classrooms serve children ages six weeks to 18 months, so it is crucial that teachers are able to support a range of skills and development across this age range within the same classroom environment. Teachers work as a group of 3 throughout the day, staying within a ratio of 2-3 infants per teacher.

Duties

Job Responsibilities

• Completes daily activities including: preparing bottles and food, dressing and undressing, diaper needs, nap time, and offering regular sensorial, gross and small motor work to promote healthy development of each infant in the program.   
• Implement developmentally appropriate, Montessori-inspired curriculum including classroom materials that are rotated frequently
• Monitor the daily flow of the classroom, including following a daily routine; checking in with parents at beginning/end of day; daily setup and clean up
• Ensure a respectful environment for children by supporting the unique social-emotional learning that happens in an infant classroom and using an age-appropriate Positive Discipline approach for conflict resolution.
• Ensure a respectful and open line of communication with families.
• Comply with all continuing education requirements including annual training hours required through Washington State for licensed childcare providers.  

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with children, parents and other staff members.
• Nurturing, calm, kind and respectful, with an open attitude towards all children and families. 
• Is creative, flexible, loving and patient.
• Ability to fulfill all Washington State's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requirements (TB test, MMR vaccination & pass a portable background check.)
• Willingness to complete training upon hire: Food Handler’s certificate, Pediatric First Aid/CPR, HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate, and Safe Sleep certificate (paid).
• Completion of initial 30 hour STARS training (completed within 6 months of hire)
• Experience caring for infants

Nice To Haves

• Experience caring for Infants in a state-licensed environment

Benefits

Wage and Benefits:

• $19-$22+ per hour starting wage, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications, with annual wage increases
• 4% retirement matching program
• Accrued paid time off at 0.025 hours per hour worked
• Paid vacation after 6 months of hire
• 50% discount on your child’s enrollment at Little Star 
• $750 annual health stipend
• Flexible scheduling with weekday/daytime hours- part and full time options are available
• Positive and supportive work environment with a fun and dedicated team
• Make a difference in the lives of children and families

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About Us

At Little Star, we spark children's curiosity, compassion, and sense of community through joyful learning and discovery. We are a Montessori-inspired school that provides outstanding early childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners.