Support Staff/After-School Childcare

Are you passionate about working with children and making a meaningful impact in their lives? Do you bring creativity, reliability, and responsibility to everything you do? If so, we want YOU to join our team

Three Tree Montessori School is seeking a dedicated, full-time team member who will help maintain the smooth operation of our school during the day and provide care and support to our students ages 3-6 after school. Families rely on us to provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for their children—and we need someone who shares our commitment to that mission.

The ideal candidate is a team player who thrives in a collaborative environment, takes direction with professionalism and enthusiasm, and can efficiently manage time and tasks. This role requires adaptability, the ability to step in as needed, and a willingness to embrace the ever-changing dynamics of a busy school setting. During the school day, you will cover breaks for classroom staff, supervise recess, and keep our environments beautiful and orderly. You may be doing dishes, laundry, or watering plants. The tasks are varied and not always routine. After school, you will be required for classroom or playground supervision.

At Three Tree Montessori, we serve children ages 15 months through 6th grade, following the educational philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. Our approach emphasizes the development of independence, social and emotional growth, and academic skills. We believe that each child is unique and on their own learning path, and we guide them with respect, care, and attention to their individual needs.

If you're excited about being part of a team that helps children thrive in an environment that values both academic and personal growth, we encourage you to apply today

Read the job description thoroughly for more details about the role before applying.

Job Description

Job Title: Support Staff

Reports To: Head of School

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30-5:30

Purpose of the Position:

Support Staff help with the day-to-day functioning of the school by cleaning, washing dishes, helping with laundry, and substituting or covering classrooms. Support Staff could be called into any classroom at any moment to cover and may be asked to be in a classroom more permanently if needed.

While in a classroom the Support Staff provides aid to the teacher as requested for the well-being of the children and the group. The Support Staff is available to the child to provide help as needed, per the classroom teacher's directive. The Support Staff observes the classroom and the children and relays their observations to the teacher.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provide coverage in classrooms to ensure adult-to-child ratio is maintained: staff break coverage, substituting, etc.
• Overseeing outdoor playtime, naptime, lunch time, garden time, etc.
• Material-making
• Maintaining cleanliness of the school environment
• Washing classroom and school dishes
• Preparation of snack for classrooms
• Support planning and preparing a schedule of engaging, enriching activities for PM programs

Things to Do:

• Provide a safe and secure environment for the children.
• Be timely, paying attention to transitions that help the children settle.
• Share in the preparation and clean-up of the environment, including re-stocking paper, sharpening pencils, etc. at the direction of the Lead.
• Speak to the children respectfully at all times.
• Redirect children in making responsible and challenging choices (when in a specific classroom, check with classroom staff to determine appropriate work choices).
• Protect concentration.
• Move and bend to speak to children at their eye level. Do not call to them across the room.
• Rotate through the classroom, assisting only as needed.
• Accompany children to and from different environments in an orderly fashion.
• When required, assist the children at snack and lunchtime by supervising set-up, clean-up, handwashing, food preparation, etc.
• Give all children equal attention.
• Use positive language and be consistent.
• Protect the child's and the family's right to confidentiality. Please do not discuss any child or family with parents and avoid discussing any child/family with other staff unless job-related and in private.
• Foster healthy and effective relationships with community members, utilizing direct, honest, and respectful communication.

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• Physical Demands: The ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and remain on feet most of the day. The ability to easily get up from and down to the floor.
• Judgment: The ability to exercise sound judgment and make sound decisions in line with the school's core values and mission; knowing when to ask for appropriate help to resolve problems that may interfere with work.
• Time Management: The ability to employ efficient use of time to perform assigned job duties; effective and appropriate prioritization of workflow. It is required that staff are on time to work everyday and have regular work attendance.
• Commitment to Montessori Education: The willingness to uphold Montessori principles and practices, and the desire to grow in understanding and application of Montessori.
• Communication Skills: Has reasonable written and verbal English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Effective communication with students, staff, parents, and members of the community.
• Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and develop a variety of interesting activities that will actively engage the children.
• Interpersonal Skills: The ability to work well with others from diverse backgrounds and ages. Resolving conflict proactively and positively; maintaining confidentiality; effective listening; patience and flexibility; keeping emotions under control; remaining open to others' ideas; and contributing to building a positive team spirit. Demonstrated ability to successfully work with courtesy and diplomacy, making oneself available to respond to the needs of staff, parents, and children.
• Documentation: Copy of high school diploma and/or college transcripts, proof of negative TB test administered no earlier than one year from date of hire; current *First Aid and CPR (infant/child/adult) and Bloodborne Pathogens card; background check clearance through the Department of Children, Youth & Families, and proof of MMR immunization or exemption. Completion of Child Care Basics 30 Hours STARS Online Training is required.*

*Can be completed once hired

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.16 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Child Care Basics (STARS 30 Hours Training) (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Burien, WA Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $80,000