Classroom Aide - School Age - After Care (School Year 26-27/MD)

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day•Bethesda, MD

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Extended Day Aide assists with before/after care in our school-age programs. They are a positive model, stimulating creative thought, providing hands-on experiences, and promoting emotional development for children. They ensure safe, interesting, engaging, and diverse program spaces. The Extended Day Aide implements Wonders policies and practices effectively as part of a team. Teamwork is crucial, with regular meetings to support programming and lesson plans aligned with the Wonders Extended Day Curriculum.

Requirements

Must be 16 years of age or older
Within 6 months after hire complete the Teacher Aide Orientation virtual training
Formal or informal experience working with school-age children is strongly preferred
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

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
Innovative - prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity

Responsibilities

Actively plan learning activities that are balanced in all areas and include: active/quiet, long/short, group/individual, cognitive/physical, large group/small group and child initiated/teacher directed.
Implement policies, procedures, and practices in an organized and thorough manner.
Actively participate, contribute, and cooperate in team planning sessions with Program Director and team.
Meet with your team to lead planning and implementation of activities that are age-appropriate, process-oriented, and encourage divergent thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, based on Wonders extended day curriculum, philosophy and mission.
Maintain open communication with Program Director regarding children, families, and team members.
Assist in orientating and training new team members for center responsibilities.
Share teaching responsibilities with all team members and provide clear and objective feedback.
Plan and participate in special events for children and families.
Ensure that all spaces used by the program are: physically and emotionally safe / interesting and engaging for children / clean and organized / reflect and support the lives and work of the children present / support children in their understanding of the diversity of our society.
Develop behavior management strategies based on Wonders policy, with team and Program Director.
Establish and nurture partnerships with families.
Communicate with families on a regular basis to: inform them of program curriculum and activities / solicit information about their child's development and family events.
Participate in accreditation and reaccreditation processes for your site.
Attend a minimum of 18 hours of staff training yearly (MSDE/OCC approved for MD staff).
Work extended hours on half and full-service days including winter and spring breaks and on early release days.