Classroom Support Aide - Early Learning

Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?

Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental! Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.

Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!

About Wonders

Our Mission - To cultivate curiosity, resilience, and social responsibility in children by fostering high-quality, nurturing, and inclusive educational communities led by skilled professionals

Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.

Our programs support today's workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.

Benefits & Compensation

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

We provide paid pre-employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, & drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation.

Wonders values its educators and leaders and we invest in our workforce by prioritizing compensation and nurturing meaningful careers. Our educators are regularly engaged in efforts towards continuous improvement in their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation.

Job Summary

The Early Learning Aide is a vital member of our team. This role is dynamic and ideal for a collaborative professional who enjoys supporting various classroom environments. Key responsibilities include supporting the teaching team (Lead Teachers, Teachers, and Floaters) during the end of the day; preparing and cleaning up materials and classroom spaces; assisting with daily transitions, such as moving between the playground and classroom; and helping maintain a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for young learners.

Essential Functions

• Support established learning activities that provide a balance of experiences: incorporating active and quiet play, group and individual tasks, cognitive and physical development, and both child-initiated and educator-directed learning.
• Consistently follow organization policies, procedures, and best practices, including adherence to daily classroom closing duties.
• Assist in implementing age-appropriate, hands-on activities that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, aligned with the Wonders curriculum, philosophy, and mission.
• Maintain open and professional communication with all team members.
• Inclusive and supportive of diversity, helping children understand and appreciate different perspectives.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, healthy and friendly classroom environment following NAEYC guidelines
• Recognize and report signs of illness, child abuse and safety hazard to appropriate authorities
• Follow NAEYC Ethical Code of Conduct
• Become familiar with and adhere to all Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day policies, including guidelines outlined in the staff handbook, parent handbook, and terms of employment.
• Attend a minimum of 6 hours of staff training and required Wonders' train yearly (MSDE/OCC approved for MD staff)
• Become familiar with and follow all Maryland child care licensing regulations
• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Creative, nurturing, and fun
• Dependable and detail oriented
• People oriented – enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Adaptable – enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
• Strong communication and problem solving skills

Qualifications - MD

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Within 6 months after hire complete the required training for OCC (Aide Orientation, Basic Health & Safety, ADA, 9-hr Communication (if needed))
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

EEO Statement

Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

ADA Compliance

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Additional Details

Job Type: Part-Time / 20 - 25 hours weekly

Program Length: School Year 26 - 27 / 12 months

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 2:00p to 6:15p

Work Location:

Edgemoor - 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814