Afternoon Kindergarten Assistant

Mountain Laurel Waldorf School; Town of New Paltz (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz, NY is seeking an Afternoon Assistant for 11:30am–3:30pm, Monday through Friday, to support a mixed-age Kindergarten class in Waldorf education. You will collaborate with the Afternoon Lead Teacher to maintain the afternoon rhythm and gentle transitions for children aged 3–6.

The role emphasizes warmth, reliability, and attentiveness, with duties spanning rest time, indoor/outdoor play, and helping with festivals, daily routines, and close with the day.

Qualifications

• Training in Waldorf Early Childhood pedagogy and/or experience in a Waldorf setting.
• Experience working with young, mixed-age children.
• Warmth, flexibility, and keen observation skills.
• Dependable, organized, and grounded presence for children transitioning through the second half of their day.
• CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain.
• Must reliably commute to New Paltz, NY 12561 daily.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the afternoon rhythm for the Kindergarten, including rest time, indoor and outdoor play, and closing circle.
• Support a warm, supportive atmosphere consistent with the morning classroom.
• Help the children settle into rest time.
• Support age-appropriate afternoon activities, stories, and songs for a mixed-age group of 3- to 6-year-olds.
• Assist children in the bathroom and with other daily care routines.
• Care for the physical space of the classroom and outdoor play yard.
• Collaborate closely with the Afternoon Lead Teacher to support each child in their care.
• Help with school-wide festivals and celebrations.
• Attend weekly Early Childhood faculty meetings as requested.
• Tidy the classroom at the end of the school day.

Skills

Waldorf pedagogy

Mixed-age classroom experience

Warmth and reliability

Observation skills

Education

Waldorf pedagogy training

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Position Overview

The Afternoon Assistant supports our mixed-age Kindergarten (ages 3–6) through the second half of the school day, maintaining the warmth and rhythm established in the morning and bringing the afternoon to a peaceful close. This person participates in a supportive, beautiful classroom environment consistent with Waldorf Early Childhood Education methods and practices, and works closely with the Afternoon Lead Teacher to ensure continuity for the children throughout their day.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the afternoon rhythm for the Kindergarten, including rest time, indoor and outdoor play, and closing circle
• Support a warm, supportive atmosphere consistent with the morning classroom
• Help the children settle into rest time
• Support age-appropriate afternoon activities, stories, and songs for a mixed-age group of 3- to 6-year-olds
• Assist children in the bathroom and with other daily care routines
• Care for the physical space of the classroom and outdoor play yard
• Collaborate closely with the Afternoon Lead Teacher to support each child in their care
• Help with school-wide festivals and celebrations
• Attend weekly Early Childhood faculty meetings as requested
• Tidy the classroom at the end of the school day

Qualifications

• Training in Waldorf Early Childhood pedagogy and/or experience teaching in a Waldorf Early Childhood setting is preferred
• Experience working in a classroom of young, mixed-age children
• Warmth, flexibility, and keen observation skills
• Dependable, organized, and grounded presence for children transitioning through the second half of their day
• CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain
• Required to reliably commute to New Paltz, NY 12561 daily

Hours & Compensation

Schedule: 5 days per week, approximately 11:30am–3:30pm

Compensation: Starting at $20 an hour, commensurate with experience

A Note on Combining Positions

This position may be paired with our Early Childhood “Sprouts” Assistant opening (ages 18 months–3 years, Tuesdays–Thursdays mornings) for a fuller weekly schedule. Candidates interested in both mornings and afternoons are warmly encouraged to indicate this in their letter of interest.

About Mountain Laurel Waldorf School

A Nursery through Eighth Grade school, Mountain Laurel Waldorf School was founded in 1983 by a group of parents searching for an educational alternative for their children. The school is housed in a charming Victorian mansion, circa 1876, which is within walking distance from the village center of New Paltz, Historic Huguenot Street (one of the oldest streets in America), the State University of New York (SUNY) campus, and a large community playground and village green where our elementary school children play.

Located in the beautiful Mid-Hudson Valley, New Paltz is approximately ninety miles from New York City. It is home to many active artists and ecological groups. Covering the pristine Shawangunk Ridge, Minnewaska State Park, the adjoining Mohonk Preserve, as well as the renowned Mohonk Mountain House nature preserve have miles of hiking and biking trails. In addition, two major centers of Anthroposophical endeavor, Spring Valley with Sunbridge College and Hawthorne Valley are close by.

Mountain Laurel Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any protected class. We acknowledge that a diversity of ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender expressions, sexual orientations, learning differences, and life experiences within our community enhance our school’s learning environment, and we are committed to cultivating equity and inclusion. People of color and others unrepresented in our community are encouraged to apply.