The Crayon Box

The Holiday Staff position at The Crayon Box Early Childhood Education Center supports classroom teachers during the Andrews University Christmas Break, with opportunities to continue into the spring semester. Staff assist with the daily supervision, care, and engagement of children in a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered, play-based environment. Responsibilities include helping with activities, meals, and transitions while maintaining positive relationships with children and coworkers. Ideal candidates are reliable, flexible, and enjoy working with young children. This temporary position provides valuable early childhood experience, and all required training and fingerprinting are provided by The Crayon Box.

Qualifications summary

Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma and currently enrolled at Andrews University. Candidates should love working with young children and demonstrate patience, positivity, and flexibility while upholding Christian values. Strong teamwork, punctuality, and time management are essential. Applicants must be physically able to meet classroom demands and available to work consistently throughout the holiday break, including finals week. Previous child care experience is preferred but not required.

Duties and responsibilities

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  Provide care and supervision for young children in a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment.
  


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  Engage children in age-appropriate activities that encourage learning through play, stories, art, and games.
  


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  Support children’s development in basic skills such as colors, letters, numbers, shapes, and social behavior.
  


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  Maintain consistent routines for meals, play, and rest.
  
  Build positive relationships with children and families.
  


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  Clean and sanitize materials regularly.
  


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  Demonstrate patience, flexibility, and a joyful attitude throughout the holiday season.
  

Supervisory responsibilities

May be responsible for independently supervising a classroom when the Lead Teacher is absent.


Assists in managing daily routines, maintaining a safe and positive learning environment, and ensuring consistent structure.


Provides guidance and support to student workers as directed by the Director or Lead Teacher.


Actively supervises children indoors and outdoors to ensure safety and engagement.



• Follows and upholds The Crayon Box’s policies, procedures, and Christian values in all classroom and supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

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  Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma and currently enrolled at Andrews University.
  


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  Candidates must be available to work consistently through the holiday break, including finals week.
  


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  Ideal applicants are dependable, punctual, and bring a cheerful, Mary Poppins-like spirit—warm, kind, creative, and full of positive energy. They should love children, uphold Christian values, and demonstrate joy, patience, and flexibility while actively engaging with young learners in a Christ-centered environment each day.
  

Technical competencies

as assigned

Interpersonal interactions

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  Positive Role Model: Demonstrates Christ-like behavior in words and actions, serving as a positive example of kindness, patience, and respect to children, families, and co-workers.
  


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  Team Collaboration: Works cooperatively with lead teachers, assistant teachers, student workers, and administrators to create a unified, supportive classroom environment. Willingly assists others and communicates openly to ensure the success of the program.
  


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  Respectful Communication: Communicates with children, families, and staff in a warm, respectful, and professional manner. Listens attentively, responds thoughtfully, and practices patience even in challenging situations.
  


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  Engaging with Children: Builds nurturing, supportive relationships with children through eye contact, encouragement, active listening, and appropriate touch. Engages at the child's level physically and emotionally.
  


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  Partnership with Parents: Maintains positive, professional, and confidential relationships with families. Shares information regarding their child's day in a supportive and collaborative manner, following center communication policies.
  


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  Constructive Conflict Resolution: Approaches conflict or differences with patience, professionalism, and a problem-solving mindset. Handles sensitive issues discreetly and seeks guidance from leadership when necessary.
  


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  Encouragement and Support: Offers positive reinforcement and encouragement to children and colleagues. Helps foster a joyful, cooperative, and uplifting classroom atmosphere.
  


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  Professional Boundaries: Maintains appropriate boundaries in all interactions, following the center’s policies on confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
  


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  Sensitivity and Inclusion: Demonstrates sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and individual needs of children, families, and staff. Practices inclusion and empathy in all interactions.
  


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  Commitment to a Christ-Centered Environment: Interacts in a manner that reflects the mission and values of the center, creating a supportive, faith-filled environment for both children and adults.
  

Physical demands

The usual and customary methods of performing this position require the following physical demands:

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  Frequent physical activity, including significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling
  


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  Regular stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, and balancing
  


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  Fine motor skills and significant finger dexterity for tasks such as assisting with children’s activities and materials
  


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  Ability to safely lift and carry young children as needed
  

The general physical expectations for this role include:

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  5% sitting
  


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  25% walking
  


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  70% standing
  

The work is performed in an early childhood classroom environment which may involve:

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  Exposure to temperature fluctuations (indoor/outdoor transitions, playground supervision)
  


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  Potential exposure to childhood illnesses and minor injuries typical of working with young children
  

Staff members are expected to maintain physical stamina, flexibility, and awareness to ensure a safe and engaging environment for all children in their care.

Work environment

The position of Holiday Staff is primarily located within an early childhood classroom and outdoor play environments. The physical work environment is dynamic, active, and centered around the daily care, supervision, and engagement of young children.

Environment Characteristics Include:

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  Indoor classrooms designed for active play, learning, meals, rest, and hygiene routines
  


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  Outdoor playgrounds and walking areas requiring active supervision and participation
  


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  Exposure to noise levels typical of young children’s activities (laughing, talking, crying, singing, etc.)
  


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  Frequent transitions between indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions
  


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  Spaces that require frequent bending, sitting on the floor, crawling, and moving furniture or equipment to support classroom needs
  


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  Shared workspaces with other teachers, assistants, and student workers in a collaborative environment
  


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  Routine exposure to cleaning supplies, bodily fluids, and potential childhood illnesses, managed according to health and safety protocols
  

Work Conditions May Involve:

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  Temperature fluctuations from indoor to outdoor settings
  


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  Occasional moderate noise levels
  


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  Potential risk of minor injuries related to supervising active young children (bumps, trips, spills, etc.)
  


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  Physical stamina to actively engage in a full range of child care activities throughout the day
  

Staff are expected to contribute to maintaining a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming environment that reflects the center’s commitment to the well-being and development of every child.