About us

Friendship Children's Center is a small business in the Friendship Heights area of Washington, DC. We are collaborative, engaging, and demanding. Our school is founded on the principles of learning through play and the program is designed to encourage curiosity, to provide opportunities for children to think creatively, and to allow children to make choices and decisions for themselves and be able to act freely upon those decisions within appropriate limits. Above all, our school provides an environment in which children are respected, encouraged to grow and learn, and are loved.

Our Curriculum

We take pride in our educational program, mapping the incremental development of the children, at each stage of their growth. With a learning-through-play approach founded in the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum, we develop unique experiences and opportunities for children between the ages of three months and five years to grow and prepare for their transition to elementary school.

Because of our school’s close proximity to the Metro, we are able to take advantage of all that Washington, DC has to offer, supporting our curriculum through field trips to local museums, the aquarium, the zoo, and other destinations throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. We also enjoy a wonderful partnership with Wolf Trap, bringing our student's enriched theater and literacy-rich activities throughout the year.

We have established close ties with our neighbors in the community. We continue to explore our neighborhood and strengthen those ties through special relationships and programs with several local organizations, including a close-by senior residential facility.

In return for the support that Friendship Children’s Center has received from businesses and residents in the community, our school often invites children in the community to join our students when special visitors come to the school.

Organizational Capacity

A full-time Executive Director, Infant/Toddler Director, and Preschool Director, along with a volunteer Board of Directors comprised mostly of parents of children of the school and one or more members of the local community with experience in early childhood education and school development, manage our school. The Board is responsible for conducting long-range planning, as well as financial management of the organization. The Executive Director manages daily operations.

Our teachers have diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. Our teachers have been involved in the educational field for a substantial number of years, presently ranging from 1 to 25 years. They all have had specific training in education and share a commitment to early childhood education.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher is responsible for contributing to the planning, implementation, and coordination of the program. The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead and/or Co-Lead Teacher in ensuring that the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets the individual needs of the children as mandated by Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and the Creative Curriculum.

Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following:

· Provide a high-quality early learning program that incorporates play-based curriculum and instructional activities

· Support and provide continuity of care to help Infants and Toddlers develop secure relationships

· Assist in the planning and implementation of learning experiences that promote all developmental domains (social, emotional, physical, and intellectual) including contributing to the readiness of children to enter school by developing their early language acquisition and vocabulary

· Assist in developing and managing an attractive and engaging environment that encourages exploration and fosters independence

· Assist in daily routines such as bottle feedings, meal preparations, diapering, toileting, hand washing, monitoring sleep times, cleanup, and supervision of children at all times, including outdoor play

· Collaborate with the teaching team to observe, document, and assess their primary care children

· Collaborate with the teaching team to develop activities and use instructional materials suitable for toddlers with a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional maturities

· Assist in the completion of reports and documentation of incidents

· Develop effective partnerships with families by maintaining open communication and encouraging their input into the educational program.

· Use relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction.

· Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures.

· Maintain discipline in accordance with the rules and disciplinary systems of the school.

· Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.

· Assist in maintaining accurate and complete records of students' progress and development.

· Prepare required reports on students and activities.

· Participate in school, and parent meetings.

· Prepare classroom for class activities.

· Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities.

· Observe and evaluate student's performance and development.

Other functions of the job include but are not limited to the following:

· Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.

· Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain information for parents when requested, promptly respond to parent communications.

· Participate in appropriate professional activities.

· Participate in school activities such as social activities, fundraising activities, and professional development as directed.

· Knowledge of early childhood curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice for the specific age group (6 weeks through three years)

· Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member

· Ability to communicate and cooperate with various professionals and community groups

· Ability to communicate and cooperate with parents

· Other duties asassigned.

Knowledge Skills and Ability Required:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· CDA/AA/B.A/B.S degree in teaching from an accredited institution or related field teaching PLEASE NOTE: Assistant teachers in child development centers licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) are required to have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an associate degree (or higher) by Dec. 2, 2023.Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

· Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

· Must have the ability and proven ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.

· Perform all other related work delegated or required to accomplish the objectives of the total school program.

· Knowledge and implementation of relevant technology.

· Meet professional teacher education requirements of school and district.

Physical Requirements

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Additional Requirements

· Clearance of background checks as required by local, state, and federal regulations

· Physical examination and pre-employment substance tests as required by local, state, and federal regulations.

· A bi-annual TB test

· COVID-19 Vaccination

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,246.00 - $50,868.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Washington, DC 20015: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Early childhood education: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person