Aftercare Guide

American Montessori Society Inc; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 21,593 - 30,754; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Montessori training support

Job summary

Linden Tree Montessori School in Columbus, Ohio seeks an Aftercare Guide to lead our aftercare program, ensuring safe, engaging activities for children aged 3-9 and a smooth end-of-day routine.

You will plan activities, coordinate with teachers, handle attendance and incident reports, and support Montessori-aligned practices in a collaborative, equity-focused environment.

This part-time role is 15–20 hours per week (3–6 p.m.) with a salary of $19 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Previous childcare experience is required.
• Previous Montessori experience preferred.
• CDA credential or willingness to obtain.
• At least 2 years in classroom/childcare setting.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certified.
• Background check (FBI/BCI) reimbursed by school.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage children in an aftercare atmosphere.
• Willingness to learn Montessori principles.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the Aftercare Program with child-focused activities.
• Work collaboratively with the Teachers.
• Assist in end-of-school day transition.
• Share informal monthly updates with Heads of School.
• Handle administrative tasks for the Aftercare Program.
• Observe children and discuss observations with teacher leaders.
• Pursue growth and professional development.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

2+ years classroom/childcare experience

FBI/BCI background check

First Aid/CPR/AED

Attentive to detail and organized

Montessori ideals knowledge

Job description

Aftercare Guide

Linden Tree Montessori in Columbus, Ohio seeks an Aftercare Guide to lead our aftercare program.

Who We Are

Linden Tree is a PreK-2nd grade school (adding a grade each year, up to 8th) serving children ages 3-9 in Columbus, Ohio. Linden Tree will open in Fall 2026 and serve around 40 children. We are a tuition-free Montessori school for Kindergarten and up, and tiered tuition for PreK. Our mission is to provide a tuition-free Montessori education that empowers every child through an accessible, high-quality, holistic and equitable learning environment. We are committed to fostering strong community and family partnerships, celebrating diversity and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Our Network

Linden Tree Montessori School is part of Wildflower Schools, a network of 1-2 room, teacher-led, authentic Montessori learning environments serving children from infancy through high school. The Wildflower model combines time-tested Montessori methods with promising new practices in family partnership, teacher empowerment, and intentional diversity. At Wildflower, we believe that embracing equity is an essential part of our work. We are committed to deeply engaging in what Maria Montessori called “the preparation of self” as it pertains to understanding our implicit biases, blind spots, and prejudices.

How We Work

The Wildflower network is decentralized and nonhierarchical, rooted deeply in our values of Connectedness and Growth; our norms of Anti-Bias Anti-Racist and Unity, Autonomy with Support, and Awareness and Compassion; and our purpose and principles that guide our schools’ design.

Your Role

The responsibilities of the Aftercare Guide include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and managing the Aftercare Program, keeping in mind the nature of the child and the time of day
• Working collaboratively with the Teachers
• Assisting in the end of school day transition
• Sharing informal monthly updates with Heads of School regarding Aftercare Program
• Managing administrative tasks for the Aftercare Program (attendance records, incident reports, replenishing first aid supplies, etc.)
• Observing children and sharing questions and observations with teacher leaders
• Initiating growth and change in your own intellectual and professional development; participating in opportunities for professional growth and learning

Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience working with children required (in a childcare setting)
• Previous Montessori experience preferred
• Child Development Association (CDA) Credential or willing to obtain
• At least 2 years experience working in the classroom and/or childcare setting
• First Aid/CPR/AED certified
• Communicable Disease / Child Abuse Prevention Training
• Pass FBI/BCI background check reimbursed by school
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage children in an aftercare atmosphere
• Desire to learn and embrace Montessori ideals and principles
• Desire to learn skills in redirecting children that match Montessori and Positive Discipline

Mindset

• Committed to Equity: You are eager to expand access to quality early education for racially and socioeconomically diverse communities; you are ready to engage in anti-bias, anti-racist self-work and community-work
• Generous: You live with kindness, practice gratitude and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a non-hierarchical organization.
• Growth Oriented: You are eager to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise, and to more fully explore your purpose and potential.

Hours and Benefits

15-20 hours/week; from 3-6 p.m. Linden Tree Montessori offers opportunities for ongoing professional development, pathways and resources towards Montessori training in connection to the wider Wildflower community and supports

Salary: $19/hr and is commensurate with experience.

Physical Requirements

The role requires the ability to move around the classroom and outdoor areas, engage with students at their level (including sitting on the floor and getting up frequently), and lift materials up to 30 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Linden Tree Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, sex or gender, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or in any other way based on personal identity markers that do not relate to the capacity of an individual person to carry out the responsibilities of a role.