Kristi's Kiddie Korner Assistant Teacher Whitehall, MT · Part time Company website

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Kristi's Kiddie Korner has proudly served children and families in Whitehall, Montana, since 2008. What began as a small, family-based childcare program has grown into a licensed early learning center with three classrooms and a dedicated team of early childhood professionals.

We believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and engaging second home where they are respected, nurtured, and inspired to grow. Our approach emphasizes play-based learning, positive child guidance, meaningful relationships, and strong partnerships with families.

As a STAR Level 5 program in Montana's STARS to Quality system and an Early Head Start partner, we are committed to providing high-quality early childhood education. We value continuous improvement, professional growth, and staying current with research-based practices that support children's learning and development.

At Kristi's Kiddie Korner, we recognize that exceptional care begins with exceptional educators. We strive to create a supportive, collaborative workplace where team members feel valued, encouraged to grow, and empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

**We are more than a childcare center—we are a community built on relationships, where children, families, and educators can learn, thrive, and shine together.**

DATE: October 2025

REPORTS TO: Director, For day-to-day classroom questions, first consult with Lead Early Childhood Teacher.

WORK HOURS: 15-25 hours per week or as needed

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Early Childhood Teacher (AECT) will provide a quality caring and supportive learning environment and daily care, education and supervision of children ages 0-12 years. AECTs actively participate with children in care, model behavior and guide children. AECTs work directly with the ECTs and LECTs to carry out activities, learning situations and curriculum. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

● Must be at least 16 years of age and be working towards a high school diploma or GED

● Must be a member of the Early Childhood Practitioner Registry or be willing to join the registry upon hire

● 6+ months of supervised experience teaching young children preferred

● Must have completed (or be willing to complete) the DPHHS Early Childhood Teacher orientation including obtaining a CPR/First Aid Certificate

● Must be willing to attend a minimum of 16 hours of training each year (including a health and safety review course and the online medication administration course at least every three years)

● Must have knowledge of or be willing to learn state regulations for Licensed Childcare, Montana STARS to Quality program and Headstart Performance Standards

● Must meet all other applicable licensing requirements

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Assist the Director, LECTs, and ECTs to plan, carry out and assess developmentally appropriate activities and experiences

o  Follow lesson plans and contribute ideas that allow for a balance of child directed, teacher directed, small group, large group, and individual child activities

o  Assist LECT to keep daily records on individual children, including daily observations (input on TSG daily), individualized portfolios, information about activities, attendance, meals served and medications administered

o  Support teachers in leading daily activities and lead activities as assigned

o  Observe, monitor and participate in child play/educational activities. Ensure children are constructively engaged in classroom activities

o  Encourage communication with open ended questions

o  Engage in conversations based on children’s experiences and interests

o  Assist in prep of lesson materials and in center changes as assigned

o  Organize space, equipment and materials before activities, ensure materials are put away when no longer in use

o  Use classroom materials appropriately to engage children in learning activities

o  Read to children in small groups or individually daily

o  Teach simple painting, drawing, handicrafts and songs

o  Organize and participate in recreational activities such as games

o  Instruct children in health and personal habits such as eating, resting and toileting habits

o  Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts

o  Be friendly, warm and affectionate

o  Engage in eye to eye interaction while putting your body at the child’s level

o  Use modulated appropriate tone of voice

o  Show respect for all individuals

o  Support implementation of Pyramid Model strategies and expectations

o  Support children in learning positive behavior expectations

o  Respond to children empathetically when they are upset, hurt or angry

o  Talk to children about emotions and appropriate ways to express them

o  Instruct children what to do while avoiding negative statements (“No”, “Stop”, “Don’t”, “You’re fine”)

o  Reinforce positive behavior by providing positive descriptive feedback

o  Bring any concerns about a child’s needs to the LECT, ECT, and/or the Director’s attention

o  Accompany children to and from school and on outings

2.    Ensure child’s environment is healthy and safe

o  Report any suspected abuse or neglect

o  Guide children by using the Classroom Expectations and Kristi’s Kiddie Korner’s Guidance and Discipline policy and procedures

o  Assist children in their daily needs and encourage them to move towards independence in daily tasks

o  Participate in family style meals

o  Know and understand Infant Feeding Schedules, allergies, and other special conditions or needs

o  Know and understand the CACFP Child Meal Pattern and the Infant Meal Pattern

o  Understand young children’s need for sleep, regulate rest periods and assist toddlers and preschoolers who nap in the afternoon, assisting older infants to conform to schedule of napping in the afternoon

o  Know, understand and follow individual infant care schedules

o  Remain calm in tense situations

o  Complete the daily task list and other duties as assigned by the LECTAssist in performing housekeeping duties and maintenance tasks such as laundry, cleaning and sanitizing. This includes:

▪       Organizing and store toys and materials to ensure order and safety in activity areas

▪       Ensuring toys and play equipment and objects that have been mouthed are sanitized

▪       Inspecting and removing damaged toys and materials

▪       Making minor repairs

3.    Support LECT to ensure positive communication with families

o  Assist the LECT to maintain daily open and positive communication with director, other staff and families

o  Be available and approachable with families

o  Smile, wave or otherwise acknowledge each family's presence. In the absence of the LECT and ECT greet all families upon arrival, exchange positive information and support child’s transition

o  Show respect for those with diverse backgrounds

o  Allow LECT or ECT to relay negative information if needed

o  Maintain confidentiality

o  Listen and respond respectfully to families

o  Seek to work in partnership with families

o  Encourage families to participate whenever possible

4.    Contribute to program operations

o  Be friendly and respectful to all co-workers

o  Work as a team player. Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner

o  Maintain a positive attitude

o  Follow licensing regulations, Early Headstart guidelines and STARS to Quality standards

o  Behave in an ethical manner

o  Attend and actively participate in requested trainings, in-service and staff meetings

5.    Continually grow as a teacher and support the learning of other staff members

o  Create and follow annual professional development plan drafted with and approved by the Director

o  Actively participating in staff professional growth activities

o  Pursue personal professional development opportunities

o  Attend a minimum of 16 hours of staff development each year (including a health and safety review course and the online medication administration course at least every three years)

o  Meet at least quarterly to participate in plan-do-study-act cycles to improve teaching and learning

o  Reflect on personal biases and discuss how biases influence behavior

o  Observe other teachers and offer constructive feedback

SKILLS:

·      Ability to communicate effectively and willingness to build relationships with other classroom staff

·      Ability to take directions from Director, LECTs and ECTs

·      Ability to support classroom management at all times

·      Ability to work under pressure and for long periods of time while remaining active and engaged

·      Ability to work with minimum supervision and be self-motivated

·      Demonstrates strong personal communication skills

·      Ability to demonstrate patience with emotional situations, difficult situations and challenging behavior

·      Ability to maintain confidentiality and tact when discussing difficult situations

·      Ability to accept feedback gracefully

·      Demonstrates professionalism and personal responsibility