Hourly Pooled - Early Care and Education Aide

University of Wyoming•Laramie, WY

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to provide essential classroom support and responsive care to young children, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment. Assistant Teachers work collaboratively with Lead Teachers to implement daily routines and learning activities, helping the center maintain its high standards as a university demonstration school while gaining valuable hands-on professional experience.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
A strong interest in early childhood development, elementary education, or a related field.
Ability to actively engage with young children, which includes sitting on the floor, bending, kneeling, and safely lifting up to [e.g., 35-50] pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to take direction well, collaborate seamlessly with a Lead Teacher, and demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, adapt, and grow professionally.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build positive rapport with young children and their families.
High level of personal accountability, punctuality, and professionalism in communication, appearance, and adherence to center policies.
Ability to remain calm, patient, and adaptable in a fast-paced, fluid care environment.

Nice To Haves

Currently pursuing a degree or career pathway in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
Familiarity with, or knowledge of, state childcare licensing regulations and national early childhood quality standards (e.g., Wyoming Early Learning Standards, NAEYC).
Previous experience working or volunteering with children ages 3 months to 8 years in a group setting (such as a preschool, camp, daycare, or after-school program).

Responsibilities

Assist the Lead Teacher with the daily routine of the classroom, including guiding children smoothly through transitions, indoor and outdoor play, meal times, nap schedules, and personal care routines (including diaper changing and toileting).
Actively engage with children during play-based learning and exploration; ask open-ended questions that spark curiosity, closely observe to understand and respond to individual children's needs, and support positive behavior guidance in alignment with center philosophies.
Work closely with the Lead Teacher, taking direction effectively, maintaining open communication, and proactively supporting environment management and activity setup.
Maintain active, visual supervision of children at all times to ensure optimal health and safety across all indoor and outdoor spaces.
Build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with children, families, and center staff, upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and confidentiality.