Teacher's Assistant (Preschool)

Job description

Join Our Community at Countryside Montessori School

Countryside Montessori School is a warm, community-centered, and authentic Montessori program serving children from infancy through kindergarten. We believe in honoring each child—and each educator—as a unique individual. Our teachers are treated as professional educators and are valued members of a collaborative, respectful school community.

We are currently seeking like-minded, dedicated professionals to join us as Assistant Guides in our Nido (infant/toddler) classroom.

This is an 11-month salaried position (approximately 215 working days per academic year) with 30 hours per week.

Schedule:
Monday–Friday

Applicants must be able to pass a comprehensive screening and background check in accordance with state licensing requirements.

If you’re passionate about early childhood education and eager to support children in a nurturing Montessori environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Applicant Requirements:

We’re looking for dedicated individuals who meet the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of the Virginia Child Care Preservice Training (or willingness to obtain within 90 days of employment)
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment)
• Ability to successfully pass all required background checks and screenings in accordance with Virginia state licensing regulations

Essential Duties (including but not limited to):

• Safely lift and carry up to 50 lbs as needed
• Provide attentive, high-quality supervision and care for children at all times
• Prepare and maintain the classroom environment in alignment with established Montessori or program standards
• Support diapering and toileting routines in a respectful and hygienic manner
• Oversee and engage in outdoor play activities with attentiveness and enthusiasm
• Perform regular cleaning and sanitation tasks to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children and staff

Key Abilities and Qualities:

• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain a structured, orderly environment
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced setting
• Highly observant and responsive to the needs of children and the classroom
• Problem solving and solution oriented mindset that is conducive to an academic environment
• Self-motivated with the ability to anticipate and complete tasks proactively
• Excellent communication skills—collaborates effectively with children, co-workers, and administration
• Positive attitude and genuine enjoyment of outdoor activities and nature-based play

*If this sounds like you, apply here: https://www.countrysidemontessorischool.org/employment

Who We Are at Countryside Montessori

Countryside Montessori School is a truly special place—one that feels much like a home. Our classrooms are filled with warmth, love, and understanding, where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

We are hands-on owners who spend our days alongside the children and our teaching staff. We believe in collaboration, and we work shoulder-to-shoulder with our assistant teachers to foster a harmonious space—for both children and educators alike.

We know that working with young children is both deeply rewarding and occasionally challenging. That’s why we approach each day with a sense of humor, curiosity, and a genuine love for what we do. Every day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and bring joy into the lives of those around us.

If this sounds like the kind of community you’d love to be a part of, we invite you to apply and learn more here: https://www.countrysidemontessorischool.org/employment

Why Join Countryside Montessori School?

At Countryside, we value our educators as professionals and individuals. Our teachers are salaried employees under contract—ensuring stability, respect, and a work-life balance that allows you to thrive both in and out of the classroom. We’re proud to offer a supportive and rewarding environment, including the following benefits:

• Quarterly performance reviews with opportunities for merit-based pay increases following demonstrated growth, improvement, and contribution to our school community.
• Sick Pay (available after 6 months of employment)
• Education Tuition Reimbursement to support your professional growth
• Holiday Pay (available after 1 year of employment)
• Employee Bonus recognizing dedication and excellence

Please note: At this time, we do not have available space for staff children in our programs.

We believe that when teachers feel supported, children flourish. Come grow with us!

To learn more about Countryside Montessori School check out our website!

https://www.countrysidemontessorischool.org

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Pay: From $14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Question(s):

• What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful early childhood educator or assistant teacher?
• This job requires being proactive with tasks like cleaning, classroom prep, and outdoor supervision. How do you ensure you’re contributing to the smooth running of the day?
•  What excites you about working in an early childhood environment? What challenges do you anticipate, and how will you manage them?

•  How do you respond to feedback or redirection from a supervisor, especially in the moment?

• What role do you typically play in a team setting? How do you support your co-workers on a busy day?
• Tell us about a time you noticed something that needed to be done before being asked. What was the outcome?
•  How do you respond when unexpected situations arise (e.g., a child gets hurt, an activity doesn’t go as planned, a co-worker is running late)?
•  How do you handle repetitive or routine tasks (laundry, sanitation, etc.) that are important but not always exciting?

• What does being dependable mean to you in a school or childcare setting? Can you give an example of how you’ve demonstrated this in a past role?
• What strategies do you use to stay focused and productive during slower or less structured parts of the day?
• Describe a time when you had to complete multiple tasks within a short period. How did you prioritize and manage your time?

Work Location: In person