Assisstant Toddler Teacher Needed

Mentor Role *This is currently a temporary position from february-august with the chance for it to become permanent!* *Sign-on Bonus of $300 if already fingerprinted in the State of Maine after 90 days of service!*

About Village Nest Cooperative LLC

We are the Village Nest Cooperative, a new program based out of Raitt Homestead Farm Museum in Eliot, ME. Our philosophy is that “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!” We are outside regardless of the weather and spend the majority of our time there. We do all of our teaching without the four walls of a classroom.

At the Village Nest Cooperative, we believe that it takes a village to raise well-rounded young naturalists and inspire future confidence in learning environments. Studies show that children who spend more time outside in unstructured settings are more confident in making decisions, working cooperatively, and thinking creatively.

We are passionate about raising youth to become environmental and social stewards. In order to live sustainably children need to learn how to interact safely and respectfully with the natural world. Our mentors practice sustainability and environmental conscientiousness throughout their lives. Environmental and social change and activism can only be possible if we inspire our smallest community members to have a voice and take action in change.

About the mentor position

Mentors are responsible for the well-being of the children under their care. They must monitor the children all day using Active Supervision and Risk Vs. Hazard Assessments to ensure that they play and interact with one another in a safe and appropriate manner.

“We strive to nurture children in a child-led Emergent environment. We emphasize play-based learning with an focus on environmental education to creates a diverse opportunity for children to learn.”

Mentors work to ensure that children have fun and receive proper attention. Their job is to lead crafts and activities, oversee outdoor time, perform first aid for cuts and scrapes and administer medication to children with medical conditions or allergies. They may also change diapers of children between the ages of 2.5 to 5.

Some daily Mentor duties include:

· Ensuring the children have good hygiene and changing diapers as necessary

·Cleaning interactive areas throughout the day

· Organizing activities and developing curriculum for older children

· Developing and maintaining a schedule and routine for the children to maintain throughout the day

· Keeping records of each child’s progress, interests and any problems that may occur (Portfolios, Incident/Accident Reports, Facebook, and Brightwheel Messaging)

· Maintaining contact with the children’s parents and contacting them in the case of an emergency

VNC Mentors skills and qualifications

A Mentor must be skilled in interacting with and providing basic care to children of various ages. Some of the most important skills and qualifications they should have include:

· Behavioral analysis and cognitive recognition abilities for anticipating and addressing potential interactions or issues

-Must be able to pass 3 types of Background Checks: Fingerprinting, Child Protective Services, and General Background Check

· Valid CPR and first-aid certifications

· Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children

· Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children, fellow professional caregivers and parents or guardians

· Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages

· Advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time

· Must be able to: lift and maintain 40 lbs, run and physical endurance, be on your feet for a long period of time, be outside in all types of weather.

VNC Mentor salary expectations

Hourly: $17-$20 Hourly

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 8-4:30, opportunity for Full-time employment if wanted for the 2024-2025 School Year

Benefits: Paid time off, Mental Health days, Trainings paid for, etc.

VNC Mentor education and training requirements

· Must have a GED or Higher (BS or BA in Early Childhood Education preferred)

· Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications

· Must be willing to complete 30 Hours of Professional Development training annually

VNC Mentor experience requirements

2+ Years of Early Childhood Education experience preferred, will train the right candidate

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• No nights
• No weekends

Work Location: In person