Job Title: Early Childhood Teacher Assistant - School year 26/27
Program: Early Childhood
Reports to: Lead Early Childhood Teacher
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: June 2026
Position Summary
The Early Childhood Teacher Assistant is responsible for helping to create a wonderful Waldorf Early Childhood experience for our mixed age classrooms (ages 2.5- 4, or 3.5 -6). The ECE Assistant will work with the Early Childhood Lead Teacher by assisting in classroom management and supervision of the class, daily food preparation, interacting with students in a developmentally appropriate manner, and taking direction from the Lead Teacher. They engage in day to day responsibilities according to the principles of Waldorf Education. This position includes a large portion of the day outside throughout the school year in all kinds of weather.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in curriculum activities; setup/cleanup of circle time, birthday celebrations, and festivals, including some early evening festivals
- Assist with the transitions throughout the day
- Help with daily preparations of classroom, restocking cleaning supplies and materials
- Guide and encourage children with self-care–diapering, toileting, dressing, and social behavior
- Help maintain general order, cleanliness, and aesthetics in classroom
- Prepare, serve, and cleanup daily snacks
- Assist in maintaining a warm and nurturing environment
- Direct student behavior and parent communication to the Lead Early Childhood Teacher
- Maintain confidentiality in all student situations
- Become knowledgeable about campus Emergency Plan and be ready to implement
- Complete monthly online timesheets
Additional Responsibilities
- May Substitute for Lead Teacher if needed (ECT required)
- Can be combined with Rainbow Garden Assistant (ECE afternoon program)
- Attend individual meetings with the lead teacher
- May substitute for afternoon program if available
- Attendance at full ECE meetings as scheduled
- Attendance at August In-Service is mandatory
- Attendance at February conference and June In-Service is encouraged but not mandatory
- Participate in the annual Saturday work day in August to prepare the classroom.
- This position can be combined with the Early Childhood Rainbow Garden Teacher Assistant position with hours of 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 12:30-2:15 on Thursdays.
- For those who combine the morning and afternoon positions, a short break may be possible.
Education and Qualifications
- Early Childhood Education experience preferred
- Waldorf Early Childhood experience preferred
- Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) designated by State of Colorado or working towards
- Reliable, consistent, and flexible to changes
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents
- Possess a warm, friendly, professional and joyous demeanor
Early Childhood Licensing Requirements
- Complete requirements for Colorado ECE regulations of Colorado Department of Human Services such as CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, Physical, Background check, fingerprinting, mandatory licensing classes, submitting a medical physical by a licensed physician or other health care professional, and registration in Colorado Shines PDIS
Work Setting
- Early Childhood classroom, playground, hikes in open space, and neighborhood walks
- Monday through Friday, hours of 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Work schedule follows the SMWS annual school calendar - late August through early June
- Because of the classroom setting, there are limited breaks offered during the day
Salary and Benefits
- Hourly rate of $25.00 per hour
- Substitute rate of $30.00 per hour (ECT required)
- Hourly rate of $18.00 per hour when participating in meetings/trainings
- Three (3) paid Holidays include: All Cultures Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day; school days off are not paid
- Colorado Paid Sick Leave - 1 hour for each 30 hours worked - up to 48 hours per year
- 401(k) - SMWS offers a match (determined annually) when 1,000 hours are worked in a fiscal year)
- Professional Development - will be paid time
- Required 15 hours of classes paid at $18.00 per hour
- Because this is a part time position we do not offer additional benefits
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
- Frequent walks; use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; speaking and listening
- Daily requirement to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child
- Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or nation or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to [email protected].
This job is contingent upon completing a successful background check.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Waldorf Certifications (Required)
Work Location: In person
