Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Tree Frog Learning Center is expanding our teaching teams! We are seeking a caring, reliable, and enthusiastic Assistant Teacher who brings a great love and patience for children. Our center provides high-quality care and education for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old across our infant, toddler, preschool, and Pre-K classrooms.

We are looking for an educator who will actively engage with our children, earn their trust and attention, and collaborate with Lead Teachers to maintain a warm, structured, and fun classroom environment.

Schedule & Shift Details

• Work Week: Monday through Friday
• Shift: Full-Time (Scheduled between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM)
• Breaks: Structured 60-minute daily breaks built directly into the schedule

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Teacher in developing and implementing a creative, play-based curriculum using storytelling, educational play, crafts, and hands-on learning (identifying shapes, numbers, colors).
• Observe children to help build their self-esteem, social competencies, and guide them in resolving occasional peer arguments.
• Help organize nap and snack hours, maintaining active supervision to ensure child safety at all times.
• Assist in tracking children's progress and communicating regularly with families to understand each child's background and unique needs.
• Maintain a clean, tidy, and sanitized classroom consistent with health and safety standards.
• Collaborate closely with Lead Teachers, Floats, and center directors to support smooth daily routines.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Core Qualities: Cool-tempered, friendly, reliable, and patient with a strong balance between a creative mind and practical acumen.
• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; CDA (Child Development Associate), Child Care Development courses, or ECE college coursework strongly preferred (we also provide support for candidates working toward their CDA).
• Certifications: Current Child CPR & First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Background Check: Ability to pass required Maine DHHS background checks, SBI screening, and fingerprinting.

Compensation & Workplace Benefits

• Pay Rate: Determined by Education and Experience, starting at $17.00 - $18.00/hr.
• Maine Salary Supplement: Eligible for additional monthly payments through the Maine ECE Workforce Salary Supplement Program.
• Career Growth: Financial and logistical support to earn your CDA or advance on the MRTQ Registry.
• Workplace Culture: Guaranteed 60-minute daily breaks, predictable schedules, and paid ongoing professional development.
• Facility Safety: We are a nut-free facility.

*Tree Frog Learning Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees, as well as the children and families to whom we provide care.

Tree Frog Learning Center expressly prohibits and will not tolerate any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination towards any other employee, child, or the child’s families based on any of the characteristics mentioned above.

Tree Frog Learning Center will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee related to an individual’s physical or mental disability, sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon Tree Frog Learning Center’s business operations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person