Assistant Infant Guide (6m-18m)
The Role
We are looking for an Assistant Guide for our Nido classroom (6 months to 18 months). In this role, you will partner with the Lead Guide to foster a warm, responsive environment tailored to the developmental needs of our youngest students. The ideal educator for this role has a naturally nurturing and friendly personality, carrying a deep respect for infants as they learn to navigate their movements and communicate their needs.
You should be excited about supporting a child-led approach and joining our babies during daily outdoor exploration in our natural spaces, garden, and eventually forest.
Key Responsibilities
- Classroom Support & Collaboration: Assist the Lead Guide in maintaining a peaceful, immaculate, and orderly environment that safely encourages free movement and independent discovery.
- Nurturing Caregiving: Partner with the Lead Teacher to model calm interactions and responsive language. Provide attentive care during crucial routine moments, such as feeding, diapering, and comforting, treating every transition as a moment for connection.
- Outdoor Exploration: Join the infants in daily outdoor immersion across our campus, assisting with weather-appropriate gear and supporting safe, sensory nature-based learning.
- Compliance & Safety: Maintain strict compliance with NYS OCFS regulations, prioritizing safe sleep practices, sanitary feeding/prep procedures, and constant, alert supervision.
- Engagement: Participate fully in school events, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications
- Experience: Experience working with infants or very young children in a professional setting preferred.
- Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required (a desire to learn more about infant development or Montessori philosophy is a plus).
- Mindset: You are comfortable with the startup nature of a new school and hold a desire to help shape school culture. You enjoy collaborating with team members and are receptive to coaching, feedback, and learning on the job.
Essential Physical Requirements
- Active Nature: Ability to sit on the floor for extended periods to interact at the infant’s level and navigate uneven outdoor terrain safely.
- Outdoor Transport: Ability to push or pull a multi-child wagon or outdoor crib and manage gear for outdoor excursions in various weather conditions.
Benefits & Additional Information
- Housing: Eligibility to apply for a potential on-campus affordable housing benefit available for a limited number of teachers.
- Professional Development: Wildflower dedicates resources and time for regular professional growth, training, and potential paths toward Montessori certification.
- Compensation is commensurate with experience and current market standards.
*There is a potential to start this position in September 2026 alongside the Primary teacher, shifting to the Assistant Infant role in January '27.