Vacancy expired!
Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher (0-2) with Montessori or similar background
For Little Twigs Childcare Center in Missoula, Montana
employment type: Full-time and Part Time
Little Twigs is a new Childcare Center in Missoula Montana that opened in Jan 2020. We have exciting opportunities for Lead Infant and Toddler teachers (0-2). This is not a formal Montessori school, but dedicated to Montessori philosophy in creating an optimal environment for children. We are seeking Montessori teachers with experience but who are looking for an exciting new challenge and are looking to be a part of a diverse teaching team and global community of families. Little Twigs is partnering with the International Rescue Committee and has hired teaching and care staff who are refugees settled in Montana. Many of our students are from the refugee community, along with many long term Montanans. The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher will be responsible for providing exceptional care for the safety, health, and education of the students and will also be in the position of mentoring teaching staff who are originally from The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria. Current staff languages are KiSwahili, Arabic and some English. We’re looking for adventurous individuals who are up for an exciting, creative, challenging and meaningful position.
Full-time and Part-time positions are available. Childcare slots for employees children are available at scholarship rates. Lead teachers report to Director. To Apply send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references, (one can be a parent of a child you have taught).
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Care for children age 2 and under with enthusiasm, positivity, individual attention, compassion, warmth, and safety
Mentor and model for other childcare staff in Montessori philosophy and methods.
Model patience with both children and fellow staff.
Communicate with parents in a manner that is professional, informative, and clear
Be willing to try new ideas and methods of practice that promote early childhood mental health, including emotional attunement and concepts introduced by the director.
Maintain licensing compliance and stay up-to-date on certifications and immunizations
- Participate in parent tours and registrations as needed
Promote professionalism in all aspects of programing
Prepare lessons and necessary equipment ahead of time so that teacher is fully present and prepared to assist children as needed
- Provide excellent customer service to program participants (registration help, schedule changes, questions, etc.)
- Prepare and present appropriate curriculum that comply with Montana Early Learning Standards
- Ensure adequate physical activity and nutrition to promote lifelong healthy living
Ensure program safety and manage risk appropriately.
Supervise and guide other staff in safety management.
Be willing to give honest, kind and appropriate feedback in all aspects of program
Be willing to accept honest feedback and mentoring and be willing to make amends and try new ways when necessary.
Be willing to communicate when things are not working well, instead of letting problems or working relationships fester.
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years of age (required)
- Current Montana Practitioner Registry Level 2 or higher OR 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare facility, plus 32 hours of ECP approved training (required)
- Current adult, child, and infant CPR, first aid certification, and Infant Safety Essentials (within 30 days of hire)
- Must pass criminal background check
- We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to accommodate employment or scholastic visas.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Ability to interpret and enforce all safety and health regulations
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality
Must be able to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with other staff participants, parents, and the general public, even across cultural and language barriers.
Must be willing to make mistakes, acknowledge them, accept responsibility and make repair in relationships
- Ability to quickly respond to emergency situations
- Effective conflict resolution skills
- Ability to speak concisely and to effectively communicate needs
- Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with young children
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle conflicts in a timely and professional manner
- Must be able to occasionally work varied shifts dependent on events and staffing needs
Physical requirements:
- This highly physical role frequently requires lifting, bending, walking, kneeling, rocking, and other movements associated with childcare.
- Must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
Must be able to communicate clearly to all children, parents, family members and fellow staff.
Must be persistent in communication through language and cultural barriers and willing to take cultural differences in stride and not take things personally.
- Ability to attend all trainings and meetings as required even if scheduled outside normal working or regular scheduled hours
- Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency
- Occasionally must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, or up to 50 pounds with assistance
About Little Twigs:
This is a new childcare center in Missoula that is dedicated to caring for the heart, mind and spirit of early childhood. We boast some of the highest teacher to student ratios in the business. We are dedicated to the social and emotional well-being and education of our students as well as empowering the learning of children through their crucial developmental periods. We are dedicated to providing a calm, nurturing, positive environment with plenty of outdoor time and free play. We pay particular attention to pacing and transitions and communicate with children in ways that acknowledges their full capabilities. We believe that infants and toddlers are aware and very conscious beings that are attuned to their surroundings and caregivers. We aim to give them our full attention and heart while caring for the emotional and physical and developmental needs.
We are dedicated and prioritize inclusion and diversity. More than half are staff are non-native English speakers. The families we serve are representative of diverse backgrounds including but not limited to diversity of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ability, culture, and socioeconomics. We are dedicated to providing a childcare environment that is healthy and respectful of others and the planet.
Thank you for your interest in our program.
Vacancy expired!