Assistant Teacher

Job Title(s): Part-time or full time Assistant Infant Teacher
Reports To: Child Development Director
Location: Middletown, Rhode Island

Summary of Position(s):

The Coggeshall Club is looking for nurturing childcare professionals to become the heart of our exciting play based child development program. Focused on enriching the day to day lives of children from 6 weeks-12months of age. An assistant teacher within our program will be responsible for caregiving, delivery of age appropriate/individually suited curriculum and facilitating a nurturing and supportive relationship with our community of parents. Our program aligns with Rhode Island Early Learning Development Standards and is enhanced by our focus on play based learning.

Our goal at the Coggeshall Club is to positively enhance our community of families live’s the second they walk through our doors. If you are a loving, nurturing and compassionate person who has a deep interest in enriching the lives of our next generation during their critically important first five years of life, you will be a great fit for our team.

Essential Job Functions:

The responsibilities of this position will include, but will not be limited to the following:

Early Childhood Programming

• Ensure the safety of the children within the inside and outside environments at all times.
• Establish partnerships with families that are respectful of individual differences, family styles and cultural/socio-economic diversity.
• Follow all DCYF regulations and center policies
• Implement a Developmentally Appropriate Preschool program in accordance with the policies and philosophy of The Coggeshall Club and the curriculum objectives.
• Positively impact the lives of children and families every day.
• Preparing, serving and cleaning up snacks and parent provided meals
• Changing diapers
• Bending, kneeling, lifting and sitting on the floor
• Appropriately interacting with children throughout the day
• Maintaining cleanliness in the classroom and ancillary spaces
• Communicating with families and supporting parents as their children develop
• Filling out daily reports and other documentation
• Attending monthly staff meetings
• Creating a yearly professional development plan and annually completing 20 hours of professional development

Interactions with Children

• Communicate with children and families in a positive manner helping to bolster their confidence
• Treat each child with dignity and respect, helping bolster their confidence as they learn to navigate into their ever expanding world.
• Nurture children as they develop into responsible integral members of the group and community
• Be approachable and accessible in order for children to become actively engaged in problem solving in the environment
• Utilize developmentally appropriate guidance practices for infants and toddlers
• Encourage children to be responsible for their actions

Interactions with Parents

• Always remember that a parent’s day likely started well before they arrive at our doorstep, patience and grace are key ingredients to trusting relationships within our community
• Partner with parents to create an easy transition into the program
• Create an environment that embraces open communication with families

Interactions with Staff

• Attend and participate in all staff meetings.
• Attend in-service training and workshops.
• Be courteous and respectful of peers.
• Direct issues to the appropriate persons in a timely manner.

Physical Requirements

• Able to observe and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and/or conflicts that might occur during the day.
• Able to supervise children outside being out in the sun, snow and changing temperatures.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds from the floor to waist high table.
• Able to push a cart/buggy/stroller weighing up to 100 pounds for up to 3 miles.
• Able to walk or run as job dictates.
• Able to kneel down to children eye level.
• Able to sit on the floor to work with children.
• Able to react to a child that is up to 30 feet away within 30 seconds.
• Able to carry a child up to 40 pounds, up to 100 feet.
• Able to respond to children’s first aid needs (inside or outside) which may include cuts, bruises, blood/body fluids.
• Extremely patient and able to deal effectively with the stress involved in working daily with children, staff and parents.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Eighteen years of age or older
• Hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• One + years of experience working with children
• CPR/First Aid training within 90 days of hire
• Successful completion of all State Required Health and Background screenings
• Able to work in collaboration with classroom team
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility on the job
• Demonstrate initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Associates Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education
• Successful completion of PRAXIS early childhood exam.

Benefits:
We pride ourselves on providing a great work environment for all our teachers and staff. Part Time employees are eligible for benefits such as:

• Week Off Vacation 4th of July (Unpaid for part-time employees)
• Week Off Vacation between Christmas and New Year’s in addition to New Year’s Day off (Unpaid for part-time employees)
• 5 Sick Days-frontloaded (available for use upon hire, 40 hours)
• Referral Bonus of $350 (referred employee must work for 3 consecutive months to qualify)
• Coworking/Fitness available

Employee Conduct:

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperation and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Our business has a zero-tolerance policy for any negative actions or interactions which involve racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive behaviors. This is an equal opportunity environment in which all sentient beings are treated with equal respect and love by all who enter our premises. The company has a drug free workplace and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Ability to Commute:

• Middletown, RI (Required)

Work Location: In person