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Open Roles
Individual Aide for a Preschool Student in a Nature-Based Setting
The Individual Aide will work one on one with a 5 yr-old child in a preschool classroom at Turtle Island Children's Center.
Turtle Island Children's Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is a year-round play and nature based early childhood program, serving infants through pre-Kindergarteners. We are located on magnificent grounds along the North Branch River in the Capital City of Montpelier, Vermont. Early childhood is a time of wondrous intellectual development as well as social and emotional learning. Children are explorers and investigators. As caring educators, we provide a diverse, natural environment for their pursuits.
We spend most of our days outdoors and on adventures in the woods surrounding our campus. Our operating hours are 8:00am-3:30pm.
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We are looking for someone to join us in this role for the remainder of the 24/25 school year (May through August 2025). At the start of the new school year in September 2025, there will be other opportunities to stay employed with us either as an individual aide for another child or in a different teaching role.
The Individual Aide will be embedded in a preschool classroom, working 1:1 with a child alongside a supportive team of teachers. The Aide will support the child's engagement in school and ensure they are safe and well cared-for, while proactively communicating effectively, professionally and respectfully with team members, administrators and families. The Aide will coordinate and collaborate with teachers to create and maintain a safe, responsive and healthy physical environment that fosters the physical, emotional and cognitive development of young children.
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Requirements
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High School Diploma required; credential and/or coursework in early childhood education, human development and/or special education strongly preferred
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Experience working with young children, especially in a preschool setting
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Experience supporting children with behavioral challenges preferred
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Demonstrate basic understanding of the developmental needs of young children; responsiveness to the intellectual, emotional and social needs of children
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Show flexibility to work as a team member and a part of a learning community
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Love and respect for children, teachers and the labor of early childhood education
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Must be at least 18 yrs. of age
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Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry (children) up to 60lbs if necessary
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Energy, motivation and excellent communication skills
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Meet annual professional development requirements, per Vermont state regulations
Benefits
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Flexible schedule
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50% reduced childcare tuition for your children
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20 days paid leave annually (sick/personal)
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23.5 paid program holidays/additional days off annually
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Ongoing professional development
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A Direct Primary Care Plan through the North Branch Health Center
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The chance to work with an amazing team of passionate, dedicated early educators
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Salary range $16.71-23.54/hour
Nature-Based Lead Infant Teacher - Full Time
​Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education preferred, 21 credits in ECE or related field required. The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of child development, best practices within a play- and nature-based environment, creative problem solving, flexibility, and a love of children. We are a strong team of passionate educators, committed to social justice.
Turtle Island Children's Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is a year-round play and nature based early childhood program, serving infants through pre-Kindergarteners. We are located on magnificent grounds along the North Branch River in the Capital City of Montpelier, Vermont. Early childhood is a time of wondrous intellectual development as well as social and emotional learning. Children are explorers and investigators. As caring educators, we provide a diverse, natural environment for their pursuits.
We spend most of our days outdoors. Our operating hours are 8:00am - 3:30pm.
Requirements
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Provide young children (birth to age 5) with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner developmentally appropriate and in relationship to the overall goal of social competency.
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Work collaboratively and as a team with volunteers, substitute teachers and floating teachers to ensure they are following state and program guidelines, regulations and expectations.
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Observe, document and encourage children’s long term learning and development to support emergent curriculum in the areas; of building self-confidence, problem solving, social justice and active citizenship skills.
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Coordinate and collaborate with co-teacher to create and maintain a safe, responsive and healthy physical environment that fosters the physical, emotional and cognitive development of young children.
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Proactively communicate effectively, professionally and respectfully with team members, administrators and families.
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Facilitate parent-teacher conferences biannually.
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Actively supervise and engage with children while keeping them safe at all times.
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Create and maintain an environment that is clean, organized, responsive, inviting, welcoming and safe for all children and families.
Core Qualifications
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Hold Associate degree or higher or Career Ladder Level 3 or higher or ability to obtain Level 3 within 90 days of hire.
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Demonstrate understanding of the developmental needs of children from birth to six years old; responsiveness to the intellectual, emotional and social needs of children; ability to work with groups of children.
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Show flexibility to work as a team member and a part of a learning community.
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Love and respect for children, teachers and the important work of early childhood education.
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Must be at least 18 yrs. of age.
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Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 50 lbs.
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Meet annual professional development requirements, per Vermont state regulations.
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Willingness to continue professional education in Early Childhood Education or related field.
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Complete First Aid/CPR training upon hire.
Benefits
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20 days accrued paid leave annually (sick/personal)
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An additional 23+ paid days for program closures and holidays
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Professional development opportunities
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A Direct Primary Care Plan: unlimited visits with nurse practitioner
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Wage/salary commensurate with experience & credentials
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Annual bonuses, as grant funding allows
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Work within an incredible team of dedicated professionals
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50% off childcare tuition at TICC for your child
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Salary range $19.38-23.54/hour