Assistant Infant and Toddler Teacher (Part Time)

Seedlings Playschool is looking for a Part Time (20-25 hours/week) Teacher to begin in our Infant/Toddler Cohort. We are a RIE-inspired program, deeply committed to providing an environment of respectful care for young children. We would love to hire someone with experience or training in the RIE philosophy. You will be caring for a small cohort of children, who are all between 8 and 14 months right now. We have a commitment to Continuity of Care, so you will be with the same group of children until they graduate from our school in the Fall after they turn 2. Teaching in our small, RIE-inspired program offers a nurturing and peaceful environment where you can focus on fostering each child's natural curiosity and development. You'll have the opportunity to form deep, meaningful connections with the children, guiding them through a child-led, respectful approach that values their individuality and promotes confidence. Join our dedicated team and experience the joy of seeing children thrive in a loving, supportive setting.

The hours for this position are 1:30pm-6:30pm, Monday-Friday

Responsibilities

• attuned observation of infants and children at play
• ensuring environment provides appropriate opportunities for open-ended play, based on children’s evolving interests and development
• helping young children to work through conflict together
• reading books and singing songs with children
• respectfully engaging with children in diapering and other caregiving activities
• communication with parents on children’s challenges, successes, and development
• simple cooking and food preparation (all vegetarian)
• maintaining a clean and safe care and learning environment

Qualifications

Attachment with consistent caregivers is so important in the early years, so we are looking for someone who is committed to staying with us long term (at least through the Fall of 2026).

We are seeking someone with experience teaching in a truly play-based and child-centered environment, who has a commitment to ongoing improvement in their respectful and play-based teaching practices. We would like to find someone with experience, training, or knowledge in the RIE philosophy.

Most importantly, we are seeking someone with a patient and calm temperament and an alignment in philosophy and beliefs around Early Childhood Education and Care. We are looking for someone who will bring joy, enthusiasm, love, creativity, and passion to their work here. And we are looking for someone who will see the children as the curious, competent, kind, complex humans that they are.

Applicants must have or acquire the following qualifications:

• Enrolled in Central Background Registry (go ahead and start the process now if you aren’t already enrolled–it takes a long time to go through, and any childcare job will require this)
• Current Pediatric First Aid and CPR (with in-person, hands-on component)
• The following OCC-approved trainings:
• Food Handlers Certification
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
• Intro to Childcare Health and Safety
• Safe Sleep training
• Willing to commit to ongoing yearly professional development

Compensation

• $18-20/hour
• paid sick time
• paid professional development hours, including twice yearly in-house professional development days
• paid holiday breaks (one week for summer, one week for spring, a week for winter, 2-3 days for thanksgiving, plus various other single-day holidays here and there)
• matching 401k

Hours are 1:30pm-6:30pm, Monday-Friday

---We are a pro-vaccination community. All staff, parents, and eligible children at Seedlings are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.---

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 – 5 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Tell me about your experience with, or understanding of, RIE. What value does this approach bring to a classroom?

If you are unfamiliar with RIE, what does “Respectful Caregiving” mean to you, and why is it important?

• What qualities do you have that make you an excellent teacher and caregiver?

Ability to Commute:

• Portland, OR 97211 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20