[Priority Listing] Early Childhood Assistant

Sunfield Waldorf School is seeking a warm, dependable, and nurturing Early Childhood Assistant Teacher to join our Early Childhood Faculty for the 2026/27 school year.

Located on 82 acres of farm, field, forest and wetlands, Sunfield Biodynamic Farm and Waldorf School is home to a vibrant and supportive community of teachers, farmers and families. Our Early Childhood program is guided by Waldorf principles and values outdoor exploration, practical work, and the slow unfolding of childhood.

Sunfield is nestled between the Olympic mountains and the Puget Sound, just outside of Port Townsend, a vibrant Victorian seaport community. We are two hours away from the bustling city of Seattle and have mountains and ocean in our backyard. Truly a beautiful place to live and work. Our dedicated faculty of 18 includes lead teachers, assistants and specialties instructors. 

We serve 155 children in preschool through 8th grade, and expect a return to strong enrollment for the 2026/27 school year. 

Job Description:

Under the direction of the lead teacher, the assistant teacher supports the nurturing and engaging early childhood environment for the student and the families. 

Primary responsibilities include providing supervision of children; providing interventions to meet the unique needs of individual children and responding to social-emotional and physical needs of individual children. 

Support the lead teacher in daily classroom rhythm and routines. Maintain a peaceful, orderly, and beautiful classroom environment. Participate joyfully in all areas of the curriculum, including gardening, singing, handwork, circle time, and festival life. Help with daily classroom cleaning, preparing artistic activities, and set-up and clean-up for festivals and special events

This position is 5 hours per day, 5 days per week, with the possibility of expanding into a lead position in Aftercare, 4 days a week, with an additional 2.5 hours a day.

Required Experience and Qualities:

• Experience working in an early childhood program with children, ages 3-6
• Have an interest and/or understanding of Waldorf education philosophy
• Demonstrate warmth, compassion and clarity in working with both children and adults
• Work cohesively with the lead teacher as supervisor to create an environment of warmth, love, and safety for the children
• Be able to take instruction from the lead teacher to assist in running all aspects of the classroom
• Observe and care for children’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual development and well-being
• Attend monthly Early Childhood Faculty Meetings, Monthly All Staff meetings, engage in Professional Development, and School Festivals 
• Ability to lift, carry, and engage in physical work (up to 50 lbs) and be comfortable with prolonged periods of standing, walking, and floor-sitting with children
• A love of nature and comfort of working outdoors with children in all weather
• Red Cross/CPR First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain)

Preferred Qualities:

• Knowledge of Waldorf Education and Pedagogy and a willingness to develop one’s understanding and practice

Compensation

$18 / hr 

Paid sick leave

Tuition remission for any enrolled children commensurate with FTE (.5 FTE = 50% off tuition base)

Professional development opportunities 

Holiday Breaks (unpaid):

Two weeks during Winter Break (late December–early January)

One week during November Break

One week during Spring Break (April)

12 weeks during Summer Break (mid June- mid September)

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and 3 references to Sydney Quinn at View email address on jobs.waldorftoday.com . 

Sunfield is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.