Assistant Toddler Teacher

About the role

The Jennifer Barnum Early Childhood Education Center, a program of Congregation Beth Israel, seeks an Assistant Toddler Teacher for its 12–24 month classroom. The room enrolls up to eight children with a 4:1 child-to-teacher ratio. The position is full-time, year-round, in a brand-new classroom with access to high-quality materials and organizational support.

Responsibilities

• Attend to toddlers’ daily needs: engage developing brains, explore curiosities, facilitate art projects, circle time, story time, music time, and gross-motor play outdoors
• Guide toilet learning in a dedicated classroom bathroom
• Prepare snack and assist children with lunches from home
• Change diapers and clothing as needed
• Assist the Lead in developing developmentally appropriate activities and curriculum
• Help children fall asleep
• Take children on walks and to the playground
• Record all toileting, feeding, and naps in the parent communication app
• Assist with drop-off and pick-up and serve as a backup contact for parents when the Lead is unavailable
• Document special and fun moments for newsletters and parent communications
• Maintain records of developmental milestones to create developmental profiles
• Support the Lead teacher and collaborate as a team
• Perform basic classroom cleaning: sterilize dishes and toys, tidy surfaces (deep cleaning provided by custodial staff)

Requirements

• CPR/First Aid certified (organization offers certification options)
• Food Handlers card (offered online)
• One of the following:
  • 20 semester credits in early childhood education or a related field, or
  • One-year state-recognized credential such as a CDA for children 0–2 years old, or
  • Documentation of attaining at least a Level 5 in the Oregon Registry, or
  • At least six months documented experience in a certified childcare center working with infants and toddlers, or
  • Six months in a certified childcare center with infants and toddlers plus 10 semester credits in early childhood or a related field
• Ability to embrace and celebrate families and children from diverse backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Judaism and Jewish traditions
• Experience with toddler environments and toilet learning
• Working knowledge of toddler developmental milestones and needs

Additional Expectations

• Enthusiasm to participate as a team and collaborate with other teachers to create a quality program
• Respectful, reliable team member with punctuality and high attendance
• Professionalism and kindness toward parents and children
• Adherence to all codes of conduct that promote children’s wellbeing and foster community
• Physical ability to stand for long periods, kneel, squat while carrying children, bend over, get up and down from the floor regularly, and lift up to 30 pounds

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off in addition to closures for all major federal holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and one week each for winter and summer break
• Competitive salary and paid professional development opportunities, including teacher planning days and outside courses
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Employee discount