Early Learning Center Teacher Assistant Position

Position Summary:

We invite you to consider becoming a part of our inaugural team at Bright Lights, a newly remodeled 3-classroom non-profit Early Learning Center in the West City Park neighborhood, a short ride away from Downtown Denver. Catering to infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, we espouse a wholesome approach towards education incorporating Conscious Discipline and the Nurtured Heart Approach into our guidance approach. We incorporate a reggio-inspired and values-based curriculum drawn from traditional Jewish values. Our philosophy of education also prioritizes supporting childrens’ developmentally appropriate growth, learning, independence and life-skills. 

We are looking to hire in June for a full time 40-hour/week salary position that will commence in late July with team training that will continue through to the first day of school on August 14th 2024.

Job Application Deadline: June 6th 2024

Please include a cover letter and resume with application.  

As an early learning assistant teacher you will be facilitating a safe, joyful, positive, nurturing and engaging environment for children to learn, grow and thrive with the following.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide responsive care to children
• Support the implementation of a curriculum and lesson plans with lead teacher that is value-based, reggio-inspired, child-centered, reflective, intentional, exploratory and well-developed, and that responds to children’s interests while achieving developmentally appropriate learning objectives that encompass physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. 
• Support the lead teacher in providing opportunities for children to build their knowledge, skills, and engage in self-development through a process of in-depth inquiry, discussion, the testing of theories and spontaneous learning opportunities 
• Contribute to the maintenance of individual student portfolios for the purpose of documentation and assessment using the Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines
• Supervise children at all times, complying with regulations requiring ‘sight and sound’ supervision
• Use appropriate and positive guidance to support the children in developing self-control and problem-solving skills including the Nurtured Heart Approach and Conscious Discipline
• Maintain awareness of safety hazards in all learning environments in order to ensure a safe environment where children are free to explore and assume age-appropriate risk
• Maintain and clean classroom spaces, common areas, materials, and playgrounds daily to the extent required (deep clean will be attended to by dedicated cleaning staff)
• Understand, implement, and comply with the rules regulating child care issued by the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Care, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulations that govern child care facilities
• Support lead teacher by contributing feedback and input for communication to parents and caregivers that is provided by the lead teacher in the form of daily informal summaries and email communications
• Supervise children at all times, often during simultaneous parallel activities 
• Follow the school’s rules and guidelines as set forth in the Employee Handbook, the FamilyHandbook, and any other rules and guidelines set forth by Bright Lights Early Learning Center all of which may be amended from time to time

We are looking for prospective staff with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or early childhood special education or a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with at least 36 college credit hours in early childhood education or related field (preferred) 
• OR
• Meet Colorado State Child Care Licensing educational qualification standards (required)
• You have a PDIS Level 2 Credential (required)
• Experience working with children ages infancy through five

If you don’t carry these qualifications we encourage you to still apply and we would be open to exploring a professional development path towards gaining the necessary Early Childhood Qualifications.

Expectations:

• Must possess current certifications or be able to complete employer provided First Aid, CPR, Standard Precautions, and Medication Administration trainings prior to working directly with children and within 30 days of employment OR to attend such training as provided by Bright Lights ELC prior to the start of the school year.
• Follow the school’s rules and guidelines as set forth in the Employee Handbook, the Parent Handbook, and any other rules and guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors, all of which may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors
• Attend staff meetings, professional development, and all school-sponsored events
• Being prepared to undergo paid training provided by Bright Lights regarding implementing the guidance principles and practices of the Nurtured Heart Approach and Conscious Discipline with ongoing coaching and instruction throughout the year

Essential Skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of child development and the needs of young children
• Patience and flexibility; ability to support young children in a calm and caring manner
• Ability to relate to young children and adults (including communicating with children at eye level and using positive guidance approaches)
• A commitment to uphold the vision and philosophy of Bright Lights Early Learning Center
• A commitment to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of the Young Child) Code of Ethics
• A nurturing approach, exhibiting respect for all and joy for teaching
• Maturity and sound judgment to think quickly and respond to situations, including emergencies
• A commitment to maintain a professional attitude and loyalty to the Bright Lights community
• A commitment to treat children, parents, and staff with flexibility, respect, and dignity
• A commitment to engaging in a collaborative relationship with parents/guardians with the respectful perspective that they are the experts on their child
• Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in the English language

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently
• Frequent bending, stooping, walking, running, standing, sitting, kneeling, crawling, squatting, twisting, pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching above head, and reaching away from body
• Able to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including snow and moderate cold and heat
• Able to sit on the floor or on child-sized furniture

Salary Range:

$19-22.50/hour depending on education and experience

Hours: 

This role is expected to work 40 hours/week at Bright Lights Early Learning Center. The existing schedule is eight hours per day Mon-Thurs 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m and Friday 7:15am-3:45pm. The school day is Mon-Thurs 7:30am-5:30pm and Friday 7:30am-3:30pm (subject to changes as per the school calendar). The daily schedule includes a 15min morning break and 30min lunch break. The calendar includes annual leave during the December/January break and special closures during select public holidays and Jewish festivals. 

Benefits: 

We are committed to invest in our staff by providing professional development opportunities, coaching support, sufficient time for curriculum planning and negotiated benefits. 

Benefits are available to employees who consistently work a minimum of 25 hours a week and are subject to change at the discretion of Bright Lights Early Learning Center. 

• Health Benefits: a subsidized health insurance plan option 
• Vacation: Upon hire, employees earn 4.5 hours of vacation per paycheck up to 120 hours (3 weeks) in a year. Accruals are adjusted to increase vacation earned per hours worked based on length of employment with Bright Lights Early Learning Center
• Holidays: Bright Lights ELC observes a calendar with closures on select public holidays including the new years closure and Jewish festivals, some of which is included in annual leave. 
• Sick Leave: Bright Lights ELC provides eligible employees with Paid Sick and Safe Leave (PSSL) and Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) in accordance with the requirements of Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).
• Mental Health Days: Employees are able to take off two mental health days a year to use at their discretion.
• Subsidized tuition for the students of staff members