Toddler & Primary Assistant Teacher – Aftercare

Toddler & Primary Assistant Teacher – Aftercare

Join our vibrant Montessori community where your passion for teaching is truly valued!

Title

Toddler & Primary Assistant Teacher – Aftercare

Start Date

August 6, 2026

Reports to

Head of School

Employee Classification

Hourly non‑exempt, full-time; 10‑month employee

Schedule

10 am – 6 pm Mondays – Fridays in‑person

Founded in 1965, Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara (MCS) is an independent school and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The school boasts sixty years rich in a history of nurturing a lifelong love for learning among children ages 18 months through 6th grade – grounded in the Montessori method. An American Montessori Society Member School, MCS fosters independent, self‑motivated, confident, life‑long learners, who will become positive forces to care for and transform our world.

The school is located on a beautiful garden campus in Goleta, California.

MCS seeks a warm, reliable, and nurturing educator to serve as an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler aftercare program. This role supports our youngest learners in a calm, safe, and engaging environment at the end of the school day and offers an opportunity to work alongside a talented and committed staff and a caring community of families.

Working in collaboration with the Toddler Lead Teachers and program team, the Assistant Teacher helps maintain a welcoming, orderly, and developmentally appropriate environment that reflects Montessori principles. In aftercare, this role supports toddlers’ routines, social‑emotional development, and growing independence while ensuring each child feels secure, supported, and cared for during the afternoon and evening hours at the conclusion of the school day.

A Toddler & Primary Assistant Teacher at MCS performs the following duties:

• Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining a beautiful, orderly, and well‑prepared Montessori environment that reflects high standards of care, organization, safety, and intentionality for toddlers.
• Assist in the daily Montessori work cycle, including preparing materials, supporting activities with clear modeling and gentle guidance, and reinforcing consistent routines and expectations appropriate for toddlers.
• Support small‑group and individual activities as directed by the Lead Teacher, grounded in Montessori principles and aligned with the developmental needs of toddlers.
• Build warm, respectful, and trusting relationships with children, supporting a classroom culture that fosters security, independence, confidence, community, and belonging.
• Reinforce age‑appropriate social‑emotional development, helping toddlers practice self‑regulation, emerging communication skills, cooperation, and problem‑solving throughout the day.
• Support children in developing independence in self‑care, transitions, and classroom routines consistent with Montessori practices; assist with the implementation of individual behavior or support plans in partnership with the Student Support team as applicable.
• Help maintain a classroom environment that ensures safety, consistency, and predictability; uphold school‑wide behavioral expectations and support developmentally appropriate guidance strategies.
• Participate in required supervision duties (indoor/outdoor play, arrival/dismissal, toileting support as applicable) in compliance with California licensing and labor regulations regarding rest and meal breaks.
• Partner with the Lead Teacher and Director of Operations to prepare, organize, and manage classroom materials and supplies within established budgets and procurement guidelines.
• Along with other classroom assistant teachers, maintain primary responsibility for cleaning activities, maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the classroom each day.
• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, observe and document children’s developmental progress through daily observation and record‑keeping, using notes and classroom insights to inform individualized support and classroom planning.
• Assist with conference preparation and documentation for family conference cycles as needed.

• Support…