Assistant Position (2023-2024 School Year) - Applications due as soon as possible (looking to hire immediately!)

​

Position Description:

The Maple Hill Play Garden - a nurturing, play-based, indoor/outdoor (in almost any weather), licensed family child care program - is currently accepting applications for a full-time assistant position for the 2023-2024 school year. The program is located roughly a mile south of Amherst College and serves children ages 1 - 3 ½ years. The Maple Hill Play Garden Assistant assists the classroom teachers in the supervision of children and with a variety of classroom and meal prep/cleanup.

​

BIPOC and members of other non-dominant and/or underrepresented groups in our community are strongly encouraged to apply.

​

Experience from one or both of the following categories preferred:

​

• A) Experience of having held long-term relationships with communities of color, in order to have formed the necessary background experience to be able to view, analyze, discuss, and deconstruct aspects of equity and colonization through a critical racial/social lens; OR

 

• B) Experience as a self-identified BIPOC individual with lived experience in the United States

​

To apply, please email your resume and a brief cover letter (describing your philosophy of childcare, commitment to equity and inclusion, and why you would be a good fit for this position) to: NourishingChildhood@gmail.com.

​

Please include the words "MH Assistant Teacher" in the subject heading of your email so we can easily find your application.

 

We may do interviews on a rolling basis, and if we find someone sooner will remove the listing for this position.

​

Position Details:

Program runs from early September 2023 – mid-June 2024

Monday-Friday, 8:15-3:45

Compensation: $20-$22/hour depending on experience, plus free organic hot lunches; five paid sick/personal days/school year

​

Qualifications:

• Must have completed (or be willing to complete) process with EEC to become a Regular or Certified Family Child Care Assistant (seehttps://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-to-become-a-family-child-care-assistantfor details)

• Experience with toddlers/young children preferred

• Familiarity with Waldorf/RIE early childhood pedagogy preferred

• Must have a joy of working with young children and willingness to learn about/adhere to program philosophy

• Must be able to follow pedagogical instruction/guidance from lead teachers

• Must be committed to equity and inclusion, including the ability to hold difficult/uncomfortable conversations

• Must be willing to engage in a reflective practice that includes examining privilege and power dynamics to reveal and confront our own biases and how they might be influencing our interactions with the children

• Candidates should be patient, nurturing, and kind

• Must be reliable, responsible, on-time, and consistent

• Must maintain a desire to keep a clean work environment

• Must have access to reliable transportation (there is a bus stop within walking distance the program, if needed)

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.

• Must be at least 18 years old

 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Help to maintain the physical space with duties including but not limited to sweeping, washing dishes, wiping down tables, cleaning the bathroom, etc., throughout the school day (these are the primary responsibilities, especially during the earlier of the two time slots)

• Assist children with bodily needs, including those associated with diaper changes and toileting

• Provide support for children in developing self-care skills (such as getting into outdoor gear) as developmentally appropriate

• Help to serve and prepare meals (including dry and fresh ingredient prep for the following day)

• Supervise nap times, including caring quietly for children when they wake

• Demonstrate through positive interactions a commitment to the Maple Hill’s philosophy, including positive nurturing care; racial, cultural, and gender diversity and inclusivity

• Communicate with students, caregivers, and colleagues clearly and with empathy

• Support in creating a calm and restful environment