Early Childhood-Support Staff

About This Role

Join our warm, relationship‑driven early childhood program where play, connection, and teamwork are at the heart of every day. The Early Learning Center serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and operates year‑round from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm. We are currently hiring flexible 4–6 hour shifts with options for additional hours and opportunities for growth!

As a member of our Support Staff, you’ll step into classrooms to help cover educator breaks, planning time, team meetings, and occasional leave days. This role includes helping with daily classroom supports such as tidying and cleaning shared spaces, maintaining safety checks, and prepping snacks for children. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values communication, reliability, and a joyful approach to learning.

While prior experience is helpful, it’s not a requirement.

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Provide support in a co‑teaching environment with infants, young toddlers, older toddlers, and preschoolers.
• Help develop and sustain safe, high‑quality development and learning environments for children.
• Maintain a safe, secure environment for children, staff, and visitors, including knowledge of emergency procedures.
• Implement appropriate requirements of the Vermont Licensing regulations.
• Accept children unconditionally, their personalities, needs, and ways in which they communicate, and help them develop without judgment.
• Maintain play resources and other materials to provide curriculum and play opportunities within classrooms.
• Maintain established expectations for children.
• Promote an environment that values diversity and celebrates cultural, linguistic, gender, and other individual differences in people.
• Keep discussions of children, families, and other staff confidential and on a professional level at all times.
• The ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents/guardians) is a must.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list. The scope of the job may change from time to time as necessitated by business demands.

• Ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment
• Competent oral and written communication skills
• Responsible and reliable individual
• An understanding of child development
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to take an approved course online)
• Must clear a full background check
• At least 18 years of age
• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to engage in a minimum 4 hours yearly of professional development

The ideal candidate has experience working and caring for young children in an educational setting or is enrolled in a degree program in education or a related field such as psychology or human development. While prior experience is helpful, it’s not a requirement. We welcome applicants who bring enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR certification is also a plus.

• Opportunity to become a permanent team member and gain more hours and benefits over time.
• Seed & Sew professional development and resources included.
• Trainings required by VT State Licensing are paid for by the ELC.
• Qualified sponsor for college internship placement and volunteer hours.

The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a non‑profit early childhood program created in partnership with families, educators, and community members. It is a fully licensed, center‑based program located at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, providing care and education for 38 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years.

At ELC, we believe children are competent learners from birth. We value their natural curiosity and individual ideas, and we facilitate learning through a developmentally appropriate, play‑based, emergent curriculum. Our center is committed to providing the very best early childhood education experience for every child and family in our care.

The Early Learning Center (ELC) maintains a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization. The ELC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, place of birth, veteran status, age, or national origin.