Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in its students, faculty, and staff. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is the foundational core of community-building that supports the school’s mission and empowers all community members to be their whole selves and thrive-- especially those who historically have been and continue to be marginalized because of their cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, national, gender, sexual, spiritual, or socioeconomic identities and their physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Riverdale enrolls about 1,200 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. Approximately 44% of our student body identify as students of color. 

We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. At Riverdale we recognize that the work of DEIB is iterative and requires a consistent commitment. Ideal candidates display that commitment in their work and/or in their approach to teaching and learning. 

We are a small, private facility for the young children of teachers and staff at Riverdale Country School, Fieldston and Horace Mann. We have a staff of 6 and care for up to 15 children, ages 3 -35 months old. We divide the children loosely by age into two groups, but much of the day we are truly a mixed-age setting. The number and ages of children vary slightly from year to year. We pride ourselves in adapting our program to fit the needs of each group and the individual children in it.

General Job Description:

* Build trusting relationships with the children; provide comfort and a sense of security. Caregivers help teach and reinforce appropriate communication skills and behavior.

* Share responsibility with co-teachers and Director tending to all aspects of care of the children – physical, social/emotional, and cognitive.

* Help develop and implement emergent curriculum. Discuss children’s health, needs, and development on a regular basis with parents, colleagues, and Director.

Duties include:

* Working and playing with children individually or in small groups;

* Organizing and leading developmentally appropriate activities;

*Serving lunch and snacks;

* Toileting and diaper changing;

* Organizing and supervising nap time;

* Taking children on walks in the local neighborhood (with the group) and supervising the playground; sharing housekeeping chores;

* Keeping daily records.

Requirements

High School diploma and some coursework in Early Childhood Education. AA in Early Childhood Education or CDA preferred.Experience with infants and toddlers in mixed-age grouping.Must be patient, love children, and have a great sense of humor.Job Type: Per Diem Substitute TeachingAn up to date physical and vaccination recordSuccessful background Check and Fingerprint Report from Indentogo

COVID considerations: Staff members are no longer required to wear masks. Covid-19 Vaccines and Booster shots are required.

Frequent hand washing and disinfecting of surfaces and materials in the classroom.

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To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.

Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.

Vacation:  Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.