Assistant Childcare Teacher

Job Title: Assistant Childcare Teacher

• Program: Little Dolphin – Westbrook or Scarborough location
• Salary/Hourly Status: Hourly, 40 hrs/wk FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
• Schedule: Variable, 4 ten hour days M-F Reports to: Lead Childcare Teacher
• Starting Pay Range: $17-$20/hr
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Company Overview

Waypoint offers comprehensive services, including a special purpose private school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, case management and outpatient therapy services for children and adults, and residential and in-home supports for adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.

Position Overview

The Assistant Childcare Teacher is responsible for partnering with the Lead Teacher in providing a safe, healthy, enriching and high-quality classroom learning environment for children assigned to the classroom. This position will be assigned to infant, toddler, or preschool classrooms based on program needs and child census.

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Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Implement a schedule, routine, and activities that encourage child development, social growth, and independence, in a context of dignity and respect.
• Ensure the classroom is safe, clean, orderly, and ready for learning, maintaining compliance with health and sanitation procedures, including cleaning and disinfecting materials and equipment.
• Provide active supervision of children, including indoors, outdoors, during meals, rest periods, and transitions.
• Assist children with daily living skills, including toileting, handwashing, dressing, feeding, and personal hygiene as needed.
• Partner with Lead Teacher in developing and implementing weekly lesson plans.
• Ensure a positive, collaborative, respectful learning environment.
• Maintain a room arrangement that is safe, inviting, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate.
• Observe, record, and report child behaviors of concern. Utilize Waypoint protocols to report any incident of injury/illness.
• Assist with any required record-keeping in the classroom.
• Exhibit compassion, good communication, and appropriate professional boundaries with parents/caregivers.
• Maintain professional conduct and represent the organization positively in all interactions.
• Comply with all licensing rules including positive and developmentally appropriate child discipline.
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and engage in required professional development/training opportunities.
• Monitor children for signs of illness, injury, or developmental concerns and communicate observations promptly. May contact a parent regarding a sick child, given collaboration with Lead.
• Approval is required for any changes to work schedule, time off needs.
• Participate in emergency preparedness plans, including fire drills, evacuation procedures, and emergency response protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality of all child and family information in accordance with applicable laws, licensing requirements, and agency policies.
• Fulfill all obligations as a Mandated Reporter under Maine law, including timely reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect according to Waypoint Maine’s policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff and other program personnel to support program goals
• Demonstrate reliability through punctuality attendance, and preparedness for assigned shifts.
• Adhere to Waypoint policies & procedures and provide leadership to staff in doing same.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate activities
• Ability to relate with joy, care, compassion, and sensitivity to children
• Emotional maturity and sound decision-making skills
• Strong judgement in challenging or crisis situations

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• First Aid/CPR certification (must be maintained current)

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work environment is Little Dolphin School; Westbrook or Scarborough location. Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach above head, walk throughout building and grounds. Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Ability to speak and model clear English in order to communicate effectively with children and families, hear at normal speaking levels/ability to receive detailed information through oral or telephonic communication, close visual acuity in order to perform activities such as collecting/preparing data, providing supervision, and daily use of technology/computer screens. Working with young children and toddlers requires continuous physical stamina. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds regularly.
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance