Sapling Center Infant and Toddler Care Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Germantown Academy Sapling Center for Early Learning

Mission: The Germantown Academy Sapling Center for Early Learning recognizes that the early years are critical in shaping a child's life. By providing responsive, personalized care in a nurturing, active learning environment, we foster the social, emotional, and cognitive growth that sets the stage for lifelong learning, resilience, and school success.

Position Title: Infant and Toddler Assistant Teacher

The Germantown Academy Sapling Center for Early Learning is an early childhood center located on the campus of Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA. Founded in 2026, this program serves infants through 4-year-olds. The school offers a full day program from late August-June with summer camp options available. The Sapling Center provides a warm, nurturing and engaging learning environment that supports young children in their earliest years of development. A Sapling education fosters creativity, curiosity, and joy by engaging young children in developmentally appropriate experiences that develop their cognitive and social-emotional growth.

Germantown Academy Sapling Center is committed to the work of equity and inclusion and believes that equal opportunity in all aspects of employment supports the mission of the school and the successful attainment of our strategic objectives. Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and a respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying socioeconomic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds.

POSITION PURPOSE:
The Germantown Academy Sapling Center for Early Learning is seeking a professional, thoughtful, and warm individual for a full-time assistant teacher position in our Infant and Toddler Center (Infants-24months). This position offers an excellent array of benefits and a highly competitive salary.

Reporting to the Sapling Center Director, the Infant & Toddler Assistant Teacher supports the classroom Lead Teacher in planning and executing the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) curriculum with students. The Assistant Teacher should be prepared to lead small group and whole group lessons. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for providing daily care and supporting a classroom environment and learning experiences that nurture the healthy growth and development of each child.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Classroom Responsibilities
•Support a safe, nurturing and stimulating learning environment where up to 12 infants and toddlers are well-cared for and supported in their growth
•Engage and be fully present with children throughout the day
•Assist in the preparation of the classroom materials and the establishment of daily classroom routines
•Work with the teaching team to implement intentional and meaningful instruction daily based on the Highscope curriculum as well as children's developmental stages and interests
•Prepare lessons and materials within an existing classroom curriculum framework
•Teach various components of the program, including leading small groups throughout the day
•Provide positive guidance for each child's healthy social and emotional development
•Consult with the Lead Teacher when the Lead Teacher is absent from the classroom, in order to take on the lead role, as needed
•Assist with observation and documentation of children's learning and progress and communicate to the Lead Teacher

Professional Responsibilities
•Daily attendance during school day in addition to occasional required professional commitments, including faculty meetings, Back to School Nights, parent-teacher conferences, and other classroom commitments that may extend beyond these hours
•Establish and maintain positive relationships with the children in your care, colleagues, and families
•Work in tandem with the Lead Teacher(s) to establish and promote a professional, consistent, and positive classroom climate reflective of the Sapling Center Mission, Vision and Values
•Attend and wholeheartedly engage in professional development opportunities including the Program for Infant and Toddler Care and Highscope curricula, all required in-service and faculty meetings, professional conferences, and programs aligned with the goals of the Sapling program and PA state regulations.
•Fulfill all supervisory duties as assigned before, during and after formal instruction times

QUALIFICATIONS:
•Associate degree in early childhood education or related field preferred or CDA (child development associate) credential
•High school diploma required
•Two years of documented experience working with infants and/or toddlers
•Strong written and oral communication skills
•Strong collaboration, organization, problem solving and decision-making skills
•Strong work ethic, attendance, and punctuality
•Strong emotional intelligence: warm kind, flexible, patient, sense of humor, active listener, empathetic and confidential
•Strong interest in professional growth and development
•Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. in connection with the car of infants and toddlers; must be able to lift infants into and out of crib