Website Explorers Early Childhood Education, Inc.
Infant Program Assistant Teacher (Full Time)
Position Summary
The Infant Program Assistant supports the Lead Teacher in the daily care and rhythmic flow of the infant classroom. You will focus on building high-trust relationships with children (6 weeks to
18 months), maintaining a beautiful and functional environment, and capturing the “small-but-mighty” moments of learning that happen every day.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
● Responsive Caregiving: Provide gentle, individualized care including feeding, diapering, and soothing, following each child’s unique natural rhythm.
● Curriculum Support: Assist in setting up infant appropriate activities that integrate Montessori independence, Reggio-inspired inquiry, and foundational STEAM concepts.
● Classroom Management: Maintain a high-quality learning environment that meets Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) licensing standards and safety regulations.
● Outdoor Engagement: Embrace our outdoor education philosophy by assisting with daily outdoor time, ensuring infants have meaningful, safe daily interactions with the natural world regardless of the season.
● Observation & Documentation: Help track developmental milestones and progress through anecdotal records.
● Family Engagement: Maintain daily communication with families regarding their child’s milestones and needs.
● Safety & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to health and safety protocols, including sanitization, emergency preparedness, and mandated reporting.
● Bilingual Environment: Maintain a language-rich environment where Spanish and English are used interchangeably to support cognitive flexibility and cultural appreciation.
Technical Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
● Developmental Knowledge: Deep understanding of child growth and development stages and “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” (DAP).
● Pedagogical Fluency: Ability to explain the “why” behind our blended model to parents and stakeholders.
● Colorado Shines PDIS: Ability to navigate and maintain professional records within the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System.
● Technology Proficiency: Experience with classroom management software, digital portfolios, and basic office tools (e.g., Email, Google Applications, Brightwheel).
● Behavioral Guidance: Skilled in positive redirection and conflict resolution strategies tailored to young children.
● Risk Management: Knowledge of safety protocols for off-site excursions and outdoor play.
Qualifications & Experience
● Age: Must be 19 years of age
● Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required (required); Courses in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a related field (strongly preferred).
● Credentialing: Must meet Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualifications. This typically includes: Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 (Level 2 or higher).
● Experience: Minimum of three (3) months (455 hours) of verifiable experience in the group care of infants or toddlers (required). One (1) year of experience in a licensed infant program preferred.
● Clearance: Must pass a comprehensive background check, including Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprinting.
Compensation & Benefits
● Competitive Salary: $38,000 – $42,000 per year (depending on education and experience).
● Health & Wellness: Monthly Health Stipend to assist with medical, dental, or vision premiums.
● Eligible for Retirement Plan (upon completion of required service period): Simple IRA program with employer matching contributions.
● Paid Time Off: Accrued vacation time, sick leave, and paid holidays.
● Tax Incentives: Assistance in applying for the Colorado Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit (up to $1,700+ annually for qualified levels).
● Childcare Discount: Substantial discount for staff children.
Schedule
● Shift: Monday – Friday, [e.g., 7:40 AM – 3:00 PM, 8:20 AM – 3:40 PM].
● Planning Time: Weekly dedicated out-of-classroom time for lesson planning and administrative tasks.
Ready to lead the next generation of Explorers? Submit your resume and a brief cover letter sharing your personal “teaching philosophy” to durangoexplorers@gmail.com.
Explorers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and families
To apply for this job please visit www.explorersinc.org.
