MONTESSORI TEACHING ASSISTANT

(TODDLER

OR PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM

) Language Garden Montessori School - Bellevue, WA Language Garden Montessori School is a bilingual Montessori early childhood program in Bellevue, WA, serving children from 18 months through age 6 in English and Mandarin immersion classrooms. We are a small, close-knit school with a highly international staff and family community. We are hiring a Teaching Assistant to join one of our classrooms. Depending on the school's needs at the time of hire, this position will be placed in either our Toddler classroom (ages 18 months to 3) or one of our English Preschool classrooms (ages 3 to 6). Your placement will be confirmed during the hiring process. Because placement may also shift as enrollment changes, we are looking for candidates who are comfortable and experienced with both age groups.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING

The following conditions are firm and non-negotiable. Please apply only if all of them work for you. This protects both you and the children from a difficult transition later.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, in-person, Monday-Friday position, 8 hours per day, from [

START TIME

] to [

END TIME

]. These daily start and end times are fixed and apply every workday. Please apply only if you can commit to this schedule consistently.

CLASSROOM PLACEMENT

You may be placed in either the Toddler classroom or a Preschool classroom, and may be asked to support other classrooms as needed. Please apply only if you are willing to work with either age group.

PERSONAL CARE

Assisting children with personal care routines is a standard, shared, and non-delegable part of this role in every classroom. In the Toddler classroom this includes diapering and toilet learning. In Preschool classrooms this includes toileting assistance and accident cleanup.

EXPERIENCE

Prior professional childcare experience in a state-licensed childcare center or preschool (for example, a Washington DCYF-licensed program) is

REQUIRED.

Experience in unlicensed settings, such as drop-in childcare, recreation programs, babysitting, or nannying, does not meet this requirement. Applicants without this background will not be considered.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Teaching Assistants take daily direction from their Lead Teacher and from the school's Lead Educator, who manages classroom staff. Please apply only if you are comfortable working within a clear reporting structure and following the direction of classroom leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the Lead Teacher during transitions, peak times, and daily classroom routines Help set up, organize, and maintain a safe, clean, and orderly classroom environment Assist children with personal care routines, including diapering (Toddler), toileting assistance, handwashing, mealtime support, and accident cleanup Supervise children attentively during meals, rest time, and indoor and outdoor play Follow the Lead Teacher's classroom routines and the school's established practices Build warm, positive relationships with children and support their independence Communicate respectfully with families and colleagues Provide basic first aid as needed Provide coverage in other classrooms when needed, including lead teacher breaks Attend staff meetings and collaborate with colleagues

WHO YOU ARE

Brings prior professional experience caring for young children in a state-licensed childcare center or preschool Is comfortable working with toddlers and with preschool-age children Is flexible, dependable, and a steady team player Works well in a highly international, multilingual, and multicultural environment Adapts comfortably to a workplace that values hierarchy, mutual respect, and indirect, relationship-based communication Follows established classroom routines and the direction of the Lead Teacher and school leadership Is patient, warm, and observant with young children Understands that in a multicultural team environment, all classroom staff share equally in the full scope of child care, including personal care routines, and that these responsibilities are not delegated based on role or personal preference Is open to learning Montessori philosophy and practices

WHAT YOU BRING

Prior professional childcare experience in a state-licensed childcare center or preschool (REQUIRED). This is a firm requirement. Applicants without hands-on experience in a licensed program will not be considered. Reliable availability for the full-time, Monday-Friday schedule stated above Willingness to be placed in either the Toddler or a Preschool classroom Willingness to assist with all personal care routines as described above Physical ability to actively supervise, lift, and care for young children throughout the day Ability to pass a background check, as required for licensed childcare staff in Washington State Bilingual ability in Mandarin Chinese and English is welcome, though not required for this position

COMPENSATION

$21.00-$24.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. The upper end of this range is reserved for candidates with substantial, directly relevant professional experience in licensed early childhood settings. Applicants who meet the experience requirement but bring a more limited professional background should expect placement toward the lower end of the range. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave in accordance with Washington State law, and paid time off that begins accruing after one year of employment.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit your resume through Indeed. In your application, briefly confirm that you have read and can meet the schedule, classroom placement, personal care, experience, and reporting structure conditions described above.

Work Location:

In person, Bellevue, WA 98007

Pay:

$21.00 - $23.00 per hour Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Education:

High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

licensed childcare: 1 year (Required)

Work Location:

In person