Early Childhood Afternoon & Aftercare Assistant Teacher

Washington Waldorf School Early Childhood Assistants support Lead Teachers in cultivating a warm, inclusive environment and provide meaningful and creative experiences, allowing children to be deeply immersed in play and to nourish their sense of The Washington Waldorf School is seeking a warm, dependable, and collaborative Early Childhood Assistant Teacher & Aftercare Assistant Teacher to support our Early Childhood program each afternoon during the school year.

This hourly position serves in two complementary roles, supporting the daily classroom rhythm during the afternoon school day and helping provide a nurturing, engaging aftercare experience for children ages 3–6.

From 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Assistant Teacher partners with the Lead Teacher to support the Early Childhood classroom, helping maintain a calm, joyful environment that fosters meaningful play, creativity, independence, and care for others.

From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Assistant Teacher supports the Aftercare program by creating a safe, welcoming environment where children can continue their day through imaginative play, outdoor exploration, and age-appropriate activities consistent with Waldorf education.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with young children, values collaborative relationships, and brings patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm to each day.

Early Childhood Program (12:00–3:00 p.m.)

• Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining the afternoon classroom rhythm.
• Assist with classroom supervision and children’s care throughout the afternoon.
• Help with lunch and rest time and assist with cleanup and classroom organization.
• Support transitions, rest, outdoor play, and other aspects of the school day.
• Foster a warm, respectful, and nurturing environment that supports each child’s social, emotional, and physical development.

Aftercare Program (3:00–6:00 p.m.)

• Assist in providing a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate aftercare program for children ages 3–6.
• Help prepare and serve afternoon snack.
• Supervise children during indoor and outdoor play while maintaining appropriate health and safety practices.
• Support meaningful activities that encourage imagination, creativity, movement, and connection with nature.
• Help maintain program spaces through setup, cleanup, and organization.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues while supporting a calm end to each child’s school day.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with Lead Teachers, colleagues, and families.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with young children.
• Ability to meet Maryland Office of Child Care licensing requirements.
• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive Maryland criminal background check.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors throughout the year in varying weather conditions.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• A warm, patient, flexible, and dependable approach to working with young children.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Waldorf Early Childhood training or a strong interest in Waldorf education.
• Experience supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to actively engage with young children throughout the day, including standing, walking, kneeling, lifting classroom materials, and participating in indoor and outdoor activities in seasonal weather.

Schedule

This is a part-time, hourly position during the academic year, generally scheduled Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., for approximately 30 hours per week. Occasional daytime hours outside of the regular schedule may be required for Parent-Teacher Conferences, professional development, in-service days, and other school events.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position scheduled approximately 30 hours per week during the academic year. Compensation for this position is $25.00 per hour.

Employees in this position receive benefits in accordance with the Washington Waldorf School Employee Handbook and their eligibility under School policies.

About Washington Waldorf School

Washington Waldorf School is committed to fostering a joyful, inclusive, and engaging learning community where children develop intellectually, artistically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals who will contribute to our vibrant school community.