Job Description
Summary Leila Day is eager to hire a full time Assistant Teacher for our exceptional play-based, outdoors/nature-focused early childhood program working with our kindergarten students for the 2025-26 school year, beginning at the end of September and continuing throughout the year. We are looking for curious and nurturing adults who enjoy spending time supporting children's growth and development through play-nature-art and literacy based explorations projects. If you desire to work in a high-quality, progressive early childhood program making a difference in children's lives, we invite you to apply to become part of our special community.
Leila Day is an accredited, nonprofit child care center serving children of working families from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds from New Haven and surrounding towns. In operation since 1878, this celebrated program's mission is to foster children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development within a warm and nurturing environment built on sound principles of child development. Children and teachers spend time learning outside every day, so interested candidates should be prepared to support children in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Duties - Contribute to an environment that is welcoming, child-centered and developmentally appropriate by engaging with children during play, preparing materials for teacher-led activities, organizing, setting and cleaning up and maintaining the learning environment.
- Assist Co/Lead Teachers with planning, implementing, and documenting an emergent child-centered curriculum with activities in all developmental areas - cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language; spend a large portion of the day directly involved in facilitating children's play and demonstrating patience, respect and nurturance of children.
- Encourage children's positive self-concept while supporting and respecting the cultural backgrounds, languages, individual interests and learning style of each child and being aware of and sensitive to issues of equity and implicit bias.
- Carry out daily routines and procedures under the direction of Co/Lead Teachers (e.g. behavioral expectations, group management, limit setting and transitions) reflective of children's different needs and that also ensure the safety and well-being of the group.
Requirements Cover letter required; resumes submitted without cover letter will not be considered. Education & Experience - At least 20 years of age
- Minimum 1 year experience working in child care or school setting
- An associates degree or its equivalent
Physical, Health & Safety Requirements - Must adhere to all CT State guidelines and Leila Day policies regarding and safety, as well as all current Covid-19 related guidelines as revised due to pandemic conditions. Leila Day requires the Covid-19 vaccine for all employees.
- Must have the physical ability to participate in activities that may include lifting, moving or holding children from 20-60 pounds as well as walking, squatting, climbing and sitting on the floor.
- Must have desire and ability to regularly spend time every day outdoors in all but the most extreme weather.
- Must be able to maintain mental and physical alertness, and appropriate level of energy during the entire day and respond quickly to emergencies or unexpected situations.
Nice To Haves Experience in outdoor education
Experience in art education
Experience in literacy education
A Bachelors degree
Benefits - Salary is for 10-month school year and are commensurate with education and experience. Additional earning opportunities may be available through our vacation and summer programs.
- Health insure 90% paid by the school
- Work in a collaborative atmosphere, spend lots of time outdoors, and make a real difference in children's lives
About Us Leila Day is an accredited, nonprofit child care center serving children of working families from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds from New Haven and surrounding towns. In operation since 1878, this celebrated program's mission is to foster children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development within a warm and nurturing environment built on sound
principles of child development. Leila Day emphasizes nature and outdoor education. The children and teachers spend time learning outside every day.
Job Tags
Summer work, Full time,