Reports to: Director and Assistant Director of the Infant-Toddler Education Program
All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.
Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant/Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.
Who We Are
Located in the University District of Seattle, Washington and within walking distance of the University of Washington, the UCDS Studio is an early learning program serving students ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. The Studio allows our youngest students the opportunity to learn through play, investigation, and discovery. With an emphasis on communication and cooperation, learning also occurs through relationships with others, and we design experiences that support children to see themselves as active participants who make an impact in their communities.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Work alongside lead teachers to create a positive and safe learning experience for students.
- Actively participate and supervise activities alongside lead staff.
- Build meaningful relationships with students.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and inspire students to participate fully in daily activities
- Carry out all policies according to The Studio educational philosophy, licensing regulations, The Studio Handbook, and The Studio Health and Safety Policies Handbook.
- Assist in providing all necessary care for young children such as changing diapers, preparing bottles, feeding, changing clothes, helping with naps, etc.
- Collaborate and work effectively in teams
- Employ strong interpersonal skills including being patient and positive.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time, be outside in all types of weather, and pick up heavy objects, including young children.
- Routinely kneel, bend, crouch, stand, walk, and sit on child-sized chairs throughout the day.
- The work is typically performed in a school environment, with moderate to loud noise.
- Time spent outside every day with young children exploring our play spaces, surrounding neighborhood, and city.
- Able to change diapers and perform all tasks associated with meeting the needs of children from 6 weeks-4 years of age, including feeding, changing clothes, holding/comforting, etc.
Qualifications
- Inspired by children’s wonder and natural curiosity about the world around them.
- Experience working with children (preference for work with children under 5 years old)
- Outstanding customer service and relationship-building skills
- Works well in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills with varied audiences including children, parents, staff, and school personnel
- Ability to take direction and constructive feedback and use it productively.
- Flexibility in assignments i.e. moving between classrooms, shifts in duties and routines.
- Current CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and negative TB certificates. (Or ability to obtain these certifications once hired)
- Minimum age of 16 years
- Successfully passing all background screenings
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position has no direct reports.
Typical Hours & Compensation
Monday-Friday, 2:00 pm-6:00 pm, with the possibility of full-day substitute teaching as needed. This is a great position for students or those exploring a career in early childhood education. The pay rate for this position is $24/hour.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “Apply Now” button to submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing your prior experience working with children and interest in working at UCDS Studio with infants, toddlers and young preschoolers.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.
We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team.
If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel at laurynm@ucds.org.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. The School is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.
All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.