Early Childhood Education Mid-Day and Aftercare Lead Teacher

Program: Early Childhood Education

Reports to:Early Childhood Education Director

FLSA Status :Non-Exempt

Date: August 2026

Position Summary

The afternoon portion of Early Childhood Education (“ECE”) program consists of Rainbow Garden (children ages 3 to 6 years) and Aftercare (children ages 2.5 to 5th grade).   Our programs accommodate the needs of the children of various ages.  The Rainbow Garden and Aftercare Lead Teacher is responsible for providing an age-appropriate Waldorf extended day program that provides for the health, well-being, and safety of the children in their care. As a Lead Teacher, this position supervises Rainbow Garden and Aftercare Assistant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide Rainbow Garden care for our students (3 years to 6 years) who have an extended Kindergarten Day from 12:15 pm to 3:15 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm on Thursdays.  Rainbow Garden require supervision of lunch, rest and play
• Provide Aftercare for our students (2.5 years to 5th grade) who have an extended after-school day 3:00 pm to 5:15 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm on Thursdays  Aftercare requires supervision of afternoon snacks and play.
• Follow the sign out procedures with parent pickup
• Maintain the ECE classroom
• Offer gentle rhythm throughout the program
• Work closely with the ECE Director on program review and activities
• Work with the Rainbow Garden and Aftercare Assistant to comply with student ratios
• Knowledge of the SMWS Campus Emergency Plan and ability to implement
• Communicating with parents about student behavior and concerns
• Maintain confidentiality in all student/parent situations
• Complete monthly online timesheet
• Mentoring provided by the ECE Director
• Assistant (float) - Come in at 11 am, Monday, Wednesday and Friday to help with breaks, ratio and Bluebell class at an assistant rate of $25/hr.

Additional Responsibilities

• May be asked to substitute for morning program if available
• Oversee an ECE Assistant based on student ratios
• Attend monthly ECE Meetings 
• Attend June and August In Services
• Participating in annual work day in August to prepare classroom
• In accordance with the SMWS philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in accordance with the duties listed above

Education and Qualifications / Regulations

• Completion of Colorado ECE regulations of Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care.  Must complete CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, Medications Training, ECE background check, fingerprinting, mandatory licensing classes, registration in Colorado Shines PDIS and Early Childhood Educator qualified according to the State of Colorado requirements
• Submission of a medical physical by a licensed physician or other health care professional as needed per licensing regulations
• Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) as designated by the State of Colorado
• Waldorf Early Childhood experience preferred
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents
• Reliability and consistency
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Adaptability to changes
• Possess a warm, friendly, joyous demeanor

Work Setting

• Kindergarten classroom, outdoor activities, and playground
• Hours are 12:15 pm to 5:15 pm Tuesday and Thursday and 11:00- 5:15 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Because of the classroom setting, no breaks are offered during the day

Salary and Benefits

• Hourly rate of $30.00 per hour for Lead Teacher 
• Hourly rate of $25.00 per hour for Assistant (float) (M/W/F - 11:00 - 12:00 pm)
• Hours are paid when school is in session (see annual school calendar)
• Three (3) paid Holidays include: All Cultures Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day; school days off are not paid 
• Colorado Paid Sick Leave - 1 hour for each 30 hours worked - up to 48 hours per year 
• Eligible to enroll in the SMWS 401(k) plan (School matches are determined each fiscal year by our Board of Trustees - required 1,000 work hours during the fiscal year)
• Because this is a part-time position we do not offer additional benefits 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

• Take frequent walks, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; speaking and listening 
• Daily requirement to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org.

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law.  We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.