Toddler Aftercare Teacher
Job Immediate Start: Yes
Job Location: 1200 E Houston Street, Garrett, IN 46738
Work Hours: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday (additional hours available)
JAM Early Education is a Reggio-inspired day school that embraces an emergent curriculum designed around child development principles. Our classrooms create a rich environment where children learn by exploring the world around them, empowering them to build their own knowledge and become independent thinkers. We tailor our planning to meet the individual interests, needs, and learning goals of every child we serve - from infants as young as six weeks to preschoolers preparing for kindergarten. Through careful observation, we gain insight into each child’s unique development. Our approach centers on providing principle-based learning experiences that spark curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.
We are seeking a caring and attentive Toddler Aftercare Teacher to join our team. In this role, you will collaborate with fellow educators to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging aftercare environment that supports each child’s emotional and developmental needs at the end of the day. You will observe and respond to individual interests, provide opportunities for exploration, and implement developmentally appropriate activities that encourage social-emotional growth. As a Toddler Aftercare Teacher, you'll help us maintain a clean and safe space, follow Indiana State licensing and Paths to QUALITY guidelines, and engage with families in a warm, professional manner. You’ll also contribute to documentation and assessments in alignment with Indiana Early Learning Standards. The ideal candidate is passionate about child development, demonstrates strong communication skills, and thrives in a collaborative environment.
Our standard operating hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with JAMEE Aftercare available from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM to support working families by providing quality early education beyond the school day. We recognize and value the commitment of our teachers who are advancing their education, so we accommodate school schedules and offer additional support for eligible student candidates through the TEACH scholarship program.
All JAMEE teachers engage in a minimum of 2.5 hours of professional development each month, including Bloom training, individualized coaching, book studies, and more. We provide comprehensive on-site training, beginning with a two-week classroom training and shadowing period alongside the lead teacher, combining observation and hands-on experience. New teachers meet regularly with our Pedagogista to reflect on principles and receive ongoing support for their professional growth. We believe learning is a lifelong journey - not just for our students, but for our teachers as well. We meet everyone where they are in their development. Our organization is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment throughout the entire facility - when we say “JAM family,” we truly mean it!
Why our teachers love working at JAM:
”I love the relationships I have built with students, parents, and coworkers! I also love getting to see students do something for the first time or show excitement over new work.”
“JAMEE has impacted my life in many ways. Because of JAMEE and the supportive staff I know teaching is my life calling and passion.”
“The relationships with coworkers and families has exceeded my expectations at JAMEE along with the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone at JAM. When I first started, I thought it would be like a daycare and I was just an assistant, I was wrong in all the best ways possible!”
"There is no 'one size fits all'; learning is individualized for both children and teachers."
Learn more about why our teachers love working at the JAM Center: https://youtu.be/5yH6tMs7-9Y
We offer both Part-Time and Full-Time positions, with flexible scheduling options to support students and those with other commitments. Apply today and join our dedicated team of passionate educators who are making a meaningful impact on children’s lives and our community!
$19.00 - $20.00 hourly
- 401K + Employer match
- Free JAM Membership - includes free fitness and aquatics classes, access to pool, spa, and fitness center, and discounted rates on rentals and programs
- Health Insurance for Full-Time Employees
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays for employees working over 20 hours per week
- Tuition support for those seeking a CDA, Associate, or bachelor's degree in early childhood education
- Warm, collaborative, professional, and inspiring work culture
- Competitive Wages
- Rewarding Career
- Professional Growth Opportunities
- No Weekends
- Work in collaboration with other Early Childhood Educators at JAM Early Education
- Create a learning environment that fosters discovery, imagination, and child development
- Build, maintain, and nurture professional relationships with children and families
- Observe children for their individual needs to plan developmentally appropriate educational opportunities
- Plan and implement activities that meet the intellectual, emotional, and social needs of your students in alignment with principles and child development
- Listen for children's questions and provide opportunities for them to construct their own knowledge
- Ensure that the facility and all equipment is clean, well-maintained, and safe
- Document children's learning through documentation, Indiana Early Learning Standards Foundation assessment, and maintaining portfolios
- Work in accordance with Indiana State licensing rules, Voluntarily Certification Program guidelines, and Paths to Quality guidelines
- Participate in all required trainings, initiatives, and meetings
- Ensure lesson plans are utilized and follow the program philosophy and curriculum standards
- Keep all personal certifications up to date
- Communicate with families in a professional manner during face-to-face interactions and virtual conversations.
- Accurately maintain all required documentation including but not limited to TimeClock, incident reports, behavioral reports, and ongoing authentic developmental and educational assessment reports.
- Perform all other duties assigned
- 18-21 years of age or older depending on the classroom
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Reliable with high attention to detail
- Curious spirit with desire for lifelong learning opportunities
- CPR and First Aid Certification preferred
- Associate, Bachelors, or CDA preferred
- Experience with children preferred
- Experience in a classroom/educational setting preferred
This position requires a commitment to the JAM Center’s mission and its core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring, as well as a commitment to building developmental relationships with all members, participants, and staff.
Customer Service Statement:
Our number one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Every JAM Center employee is expected to be: an active listener, knowledgeable, friendly, professional, helpful, ethical, and willing to go the extra mile to exceed the customer’s expectations. We demonstrate the values of caring, honesty, respect, integrity, and responsibility as role models in the JAM Center and the community at large.