The Montessori School of Lake Forest is seeking an afternoon Primary After School Assistant (ages 3-6) for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a 12-month position.
The specific shift we are looking to fill is Monday through Friday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm (30 hrs/wk) and Club Days during school breaks and holidays (8:30 - 4:30pm).
This person will support a class of children in our Primary After School program (ages 3 to 6) working closely with a classroom Lead Teacher. The ideal candidate has experience working with children in a Montessori Primary (3-6) environment. The ideal candidate will be reliable, and possess a patient, positive and respectful manner toward children in his/her care.
Responsibilities include:
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and supportive respect for colleagues, children and families (required.)
- Apply professional knowledge of child development principles to interpret Montessori philosophy in a manner that assures each child’s optimal development.
- Is responsible, with assistant’s help, for the safety and physical well-being of the children at all times.
- Assisting children with self-care, including diapering and toileting.
- Classroom stocking, organization, and daily cleaning.
- Responsible for the care and maintenance of classroom materials, including guiding the assistant and the children to share in this responsibility.
- Supervising indoor and outdoor recess with children.
- Observing children and supporting class rules and class procedures.
- Reporting all accidents immediately and per school protocol, prepares a written accident report if serving as the primary adult involved.
- Sharing staffing responsibility for Club Days (school breaks and dates on which the school is open for enrolled families.)
- Attend staff meetings and in-service programs as scheduled.
- Attend committee meetings and special meetings requested by the Executive Director.
- Assist with any other projects, programs and planning as assigned by Executive Director.
Qualifications include:
- High School diploma required; college degree preferred
- Prior experience working with children preferred
- Prior experience working in Montessori classroom strongly preferred
- Good communication skills and strong work ethic
- Investment in continuous learning and development
- Ability to collaborate, multi-task and learn through observation and modeling
We are a strong school community, dedicated to Montessori principles, committed to inspiring independence, self- confidence, respect, and academic excellence.
- Position available beginning in August 2025 and continuing into the 2025-2026 school year
- Discounted tuition available for children of employees
- 30 hours per week = benefit eligible
- Position start date August 2026
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
