Childcare Teacher Associate

Job description

Are You Ready to Make an Immediate Impact? Babilou Family US is part of the global Babilou Family network and brings a local, community-focused approach to early childhood education through our Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, and Heartworks schools. We are looking for a proactive and collaborative team member who will support our mission and contribute meaningfully to this role. As a Teacher Associate, you will lead the creation of a safe, nurturing, and sustainable learning environment where children develop curiosity, confidence, and responsibility. You will design and implement high‑quality curriculum, guide the teaching team, and model sustainable education practices that support children’s learning and long‑term wellbeing. This role is ideal for an educator committed to developmentally appropriate practice, environmental stewardship, and strong partnerships with children, families, and colleagues. Our work is guided by our educational approach, Sustainable Education®, which bridges research and daily practice to help children thrive and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We’re in what we like to call the science of children. Everything we do is rooted in research about how young minds grow— how they learn, connect, and build the skills that last a lifetime. We also lead our HONOR values: Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. This guiding framework fosters an environment where educators, children, families, and partners feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow. This location will operate year-round, Monday–Friday, 7:00AM-6:00PM ### 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: **Classroom Leadership and Sustainable Education** Design and implement daily lesson plans and learning experiences aligned with developmentally appropriate practice and sustainable education principles. Lead classroom organization and routines that promote environmental responsibility, mindful material use, and stewardship habits. Model best practices for the teaching team and ensure high‑quality instructional delivery. **Child Supervision and Development** Supervise children during learning activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor exploration that fosters connection to nature and hands‑on learning. Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining full responsibility to recognize, document, and immediately report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. Support each child’s developmental needs, using observation and documentation to guide instruction and promote holistic growth. **Family Engagement** Build strong, trusting relationships with families through consistent, professional, and sustainability‑minded communication practices. Lead or participate in conferences, family events, and community learning opportunities that strengthen family involvement. **Professional Development and Team Collaboration** Maintain all required certifications and participate in ongoing training, including sustainability‑focused professional learning. Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen classroom systems, curriculum implementation, and the school’s sustainability initiatives. Coach and support Assistant Teachers in instructional practices and environmentally responsible classroom routines. ### 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: **Work Environment** ▪ 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 **Physical Requirements** • 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. ▪ Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs. ▪ Ability to follow and model all safety procedures. All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care. ### 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: Babilou Family US is part of a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers. We provide quality early education and child care across 42 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of nearly 900 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive. Our teams, whether at our home office or inside our schools, are change makers – they inspire, create, model, and most importantly make this a great place to work. At Babilou Family US we are consistently recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity within the communities in which we operate. Our focus on equity and inclusion allows us to develop a broader scope of ideas and approaches, offering a collaborative and dynamic educational experience for the youngest members of society. #LI-Onsite