Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Assistant Toddler Teacher (Full-Time, Year-Round)

Location: Erwin Road Montessori School, Durham, NC 

Schedule: Starting at 7:30 am, Monday–Friday (with flexibility for planning, meetings, and material prep)

Start Date: August 2025 

Erwin Road Montessori School is a year-round Montessori preschool serving children from infancy through age five. We are committed to providing a nurturing, respectful, and developmentally rich environment grounded in Montessori principles.  Our Toddler Program emphasizes responsive caregiving, observation-based practice, and strong partnerships with families. 

Position Overview:
We are seeking a kind, dependable, and collaborative Assistant Toddler Teacher to support our Montessori toddler classroom. This position works under the guidance of a Lead Teacher, helping prepare the environment, observe and care for children (ages 3– 18 months), and support daily routines and parent communication. 

Responsibilities Include:
A Montessori toddler assistant teacher supports the lead teacher by maintaining a prepared environment, nurturing independence during daily routines, and caring for young children aged 18 months to 3 years. Key duties include supporting personal care routines, preparing classroom materials, and observing child behavior.

Core Responsibilities 

• Toddler Care & Hygiene: Assist with diapering, toilet training, handwashing, and feeding while encouraging independence. 
• Environment Maintenance: Keep the classroom and outdoor areas clean, safe, orderly, and stocked with accessible materials. 
• Routine Support: Help manage transitions, outdoor play, snack times, and rest periods smoothly. 
• Observation: Watch children quietly to understand when to step in or when to allow self-directed problem-solving.  Ensure safety at all times.

Qualifications & Skills 

• Education: High school diploma required; early childhood college credits or a Montessori assistant certificate are preferred.   Willingness to learn through professional development a must.
• Experience: Prior childcare or preschool classroom experience. 
• Certifications: Current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certifications, plus a cleared background check. 
• Disposition: High patience, gentle communication style, and a strong respect for Montessori philosophy.   Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and quickly respond to children’s needs

Encouraged to have:

- MACTE or IMC-accredited Montessori Infant/Toddler credential
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
- 3+ years experience in a Montessori classroom - Familiarity with Positive Discipline
- Multilingual abilities 

Why Join Us?
- A beautiful and intentional classroom environment
- Opportunities for professional growth and mentorship
- A supportive and collaborative teaching team
- Paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more 

To Apply:
Please submit your  resume and a brief  cover letter describing your interest in the Montessori Approach and Toddler caregiving.

Erwin Road Montessori School strives to be a safe community for all students, their families, and our employees. We welcome all staff and families and know the inclusion of many ethnicities, religions, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identifications, abilities, and family structures enrich our program. We understand that creating a diverse and accepting community also means working to educate ourselves and one another, address bias, and apply critical analysis to our curriculum and classroom materials.

Members of our community work to use inclusive language, challenge discrimination and stereotypes, and advocate for positive change. Our goal is to create a community of learners of all ages who feel safe to express themselves, explore the world around them, develop, and grow.