What are the responsibilities and job description for the Childcare Teacher Associate position at Heartworks Early Education?
What We Will Achieve Together:
- We will craft a classroom culture grounded in respect, exploration, and sustainable learning practices.
- We will integrate meaningful curriculum experiences that connect children to the natural world and promote responsible decision‑making.
- We will maintain an organized, safe, and eco‑minded learning environment
- We will strengthen family communication and community involvement.
- We will support ongoing educator growth and classroom quality through continuous reflection, training, and collaboration.
What you’ll do:
Required Qualifications:
A Teacher Associate is at least twenty (20) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications:
- At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or
- At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
- At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or
- At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
- At least successful completion of twenty-one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- Active classroom environment with regular interaction with children, families, and team members
- Movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day
- Collaborative setting with consistent communication and teamwork
- The Teacher Associate role requires active involvement in both administrative and classroom environments. To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the following physical abilities are required:
- Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday.
- Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff.
- Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds, including classroom materials, supplies, and occasional assistance with children’s belongings.
- Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child’s eye level, and participate in age-appropriate activities including light running, outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences.
- Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and regular movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
What we offer:
We invest in our employees’ health, financial wellbeing, professional growth and family success through:
Up to 50% childcare tuition discount.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective on your first day of employment.
Free First Stop Health membership, providing 24/7 access to virtual primary care, urgent care, and short-term mental health support.
401(k) retirement plan with annual discretionary employer match contribution.
Optional life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage, helping provide financial protection and peace of mind.
Performance-based pay, including increases tied to certification and/or degree completion.
Career growth and professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and our dedicated CHILD Conference.
Generous paid time off and holiday benefits, including an annual Winter Break closure between Christmas and New Year's so employees can enjoy additional time with family and friends.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources and support for mental health, financial wellness, work-life balance, and other personal needs.
Employee referral bonus program, because great people know great people! Earn bonuses for helping us build an exceptional team.
Additional lifestyle and fringe benefits, including tuition and professional development reimbursement, pet insurance, and other programs designed to support you and your family.
Closing:
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Salary : $21 - $23