Preschool Teaching Assistant (Full-Time)

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated full-time preschool teaching assistant for our preschool program at the Los Altos, CA campus for the upcoming school year. This role is an hourly, full-time position supporting one of our preschool classrooms, with possible work opportunities during school breaks and summers, when camps are offered. Availability Monday through Friday 8 am - 3 pm is required.

Excellent, professional interpersonal skills are required as well as the ability to multitask and take ownership of a wide range of children's needs, indoor and outdoor activities, and housekeeping duties. Areas of responsibility include tracking student arrivals and departures, supervision and support of student activities and social interactions, communication with parents, and a variety of daily housekeeping duties including organization and management of materials and classroom space, food preparation, laundry and cleaning tasks.

The ideal candidate will have a loving and playful, yet authoritative presence with children. This person will be fluid and flexible in an ever-changing landscape, yet able and willing to maintain the rhythms and routines that are in place to support this fluidity for the children.

Experience working with early childhood children is required, as is the ability to be in physical movement such as walking, bending, lifting approximately 25lbs, squatting, and playing for the majority of the work day. Staff are expected to be safety conscious and able to solve problems with discernment, while maintaining confidentiality of student, familial and organizational information.

Responsibilities

Each employee is responsible for exhibiting good communication, problem solving and priority setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive attitude. In collaboration with Waldorf School of the Peninsula administrative staff and early childhood faculty:

• Promote positive relationships with all children and adults
• Create a nurturing environment for young children and families
• Develop partnerships with colleagues to establish a cohesive early childhood community
• Assist Lead Teachers and Extended Care Director as informed
• Perform light housekeeping and child maintenance duties

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; Bachelors degree preferred
• 6 ECE Units or enrolled in an ECE course preferred
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Must be able to perform and meet the physical demands required in this capacity (ability to sit on the floor, bend at the waist, kneel and/or stop most of the time)
• Complete a health screening (no more than 60 days prior to hire date) and negative Tuberculosis test (no more than 1 year prior to hire date)
• Meet the immunization requirements required by the state of CA for early childhood employees
• Must have a current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain
• Complete a California criminal record clearance via DOJ, FBI, and CACI clearance
• Extended Care staff enjoy a supportive and collaborative environment, frequent interactions with parents, teachers, and students, as well as an interesting variety of daily challenges.

Additional information

The role is ideal for an individual with strong leadership capacities who has an interest in teaching and Waldorf Education.

Actual weekly schedules are determined by the Pedagogical Administrator based upon program needs in consultation with staff.

Compensation for this position is $24-$25 an hour.

Please note that relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are not available for this position.