Toddler Assistant

Job Description

Job Title: Toddler/Casa Assistant

Department: Education  

Reports to: Early Childhood Coordinator

Salary/pay grade: NA

Employee Status: 

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt

[x]  35 – 40 hrs/wk
[☐] 20 – 35  hrs/wk
[☐] less than 20 hrs/wk

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Toddler/Casa Assistant supports the Lead Guide in preparing and maintaining a peaceful Montessori Toddler/Casa environment, attending to children’s physical needs and safety while modeling positive interactions and communications with adults and children. 

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 

Required Education and Experience

An assistant teacher with the credential listed in column A must have the education and experience listed in column B

Column A

Column B

(1) High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalency

Experience: 2,080 hours as an aide or student intern Education: 12 quarter credits (8 semester credits)

(2) Minnesota license as a family day care or group family day care provider

Experience: 2,080 hours as a licensed family day care or group family day care provider

Education: 12 quarter credits (8 semester credits)

(3) Diploma from Association Montessori International or preprimary credential, primary diploma, or provisional certificate from the American Montessori Society

Experience: 520 hours as an aide or student intern Education: three quarter credits

(4) Minnesota technical institute certificate as a Child Development Assistant

Experience: 520 hours as an aide or student intern Education: no additional required

(5) Two years full-time postsecondary education from a college or university

Experience: 1,040 hours as an aide or student intern Education: nine quarter credits (6 semester credits)

(6) Child Development Associate credential, center based or for family day care, from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition

Experience: no additional required Education: no additional required

(7) Baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited college or university

Experience: no additional required

Education: nine quarter credits (6 semester credits)

(8) Certificate or credential for a two year program in child development or early childhood education at a Minnesota community college or technical college

Experience: no additional required Education: no additional required

(9) License from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning for Prekindergarten Associate

Experience: no additional required Education: no additional required

Preferred Experience

1 - 3 years experience in a Montessori School

Qualifications & Competencies

Certifications

AMI Montessori 0-3 or 3-6 Orientation

All required annual training per DHS and OSHA, as applicable

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

40% - Preparation and Maintenance of Montessori Toddler/Casa Environment

• Cleaning the environment


• Refill supplies daily


• Properly storing supplies


• Materials-making and repair


• Refresh classroom materials seasonally, at the discretion of the Guide


• Ensure materials are arranged correctly daily

40% - Connection to the Children

• Supervise the classroom as directed by Lead Guide, protecting the peace, safety, and physical wellbeing of children at work, through Global Awareness of the classroom


• Respond to and report all accidents and incidents according to training
  
  
  
  • Assess and prioritize how and when to intervene with children
  
  
  • Assist children with conflict resolution processes, in small groups and individually
  
  
  
  


• Assist children with their work, at the direction of the Lead Guide


• Support the Lead Guide in presenting Grace & Courtesy lessons


• Supervise and support nap


• Facilitate transitions within the day


• Assist children in the bathroom, as needed. This function holds higher priority for the Toddler Assistant


• Observe the children at work


• Support children’s snack routines

20% - Connection to Montessori Community of Practice

• Assist, at the direction of Lead Guide, with Family Communications


• Initiate professional development opportunities to meet total hours required by DHS


• Attend staff meetings as scheduled


• Participate in special community events as outlined on the calendar and in the Employee Handbook.


• At the direction of the Lead Guide, coordinate birthday, laundry, and conference reminders to families 


• Assist Toddler/Casa Aide when Guide is unavailable

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This job demands:

• Work activities of a seasonal/cyclical nature


• Interruptions to work flow


• Dealing with confidential information


• Work subject to precise measures of quality or quantity


• Outside in extreme weather conditions


• Mobility


• Ability to lift 50+ pounds


• Ability to accept direction


• Concentrated attention over an extended period of time