Classroom Aide - Pre K to 1st Grade - School Age After Care (School Year 26-27 / DC) (Multiple [...]

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical benefits

Professional development training

Job summary

EmergencyMD is seeking a Classroom Aide for Pre-K to 1st grade students for the 2026-27 school year in Washington, DC. The position is part-time and focuses on providing care, planning activities, and supporting emotional development. Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience working with school-age children. A nurturing approach and excellent communication skills are essential. This role directly impacts children's learning experiences in a vibrant environment.

Qualifications

• At least a high school diploma or equivalent with six months supervised experience.
• Forty-eight semester credit hours from an accredited university with nine in child development.
• At least one year supervised experience working with school-age children.

Responsibilities

• Assist with before/after care in school-age programs for Pre-K to 1st grade.
• Plan learning activities balanced in all areas to engage children.
• Develop behavior management strategies based on company policies.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding children's development.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Creative, nurturing, and fun

Dependable and detail-oriented

Thrives in a high-pressure environment

Education

High school diploma or its equivalent

Six months of experience working with school-age children

Forty-eight semester credit hours in child and youth development

Job description

Classroom Aide - Pre K to 1st Grade – School Age After Care (School Year 26-27 / DC) (Multiple Openings)

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

We provide paid pre‑employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, and drug screens as well as paid new hire orientation.

Job Summary

The Extended Day Aide assists with before/after care in our school‑age programs for Pre‑K to 1st grade students. They are a positive model, stimulating creative thought, providing hands‑on experiences, and promoting emotional development for children. They ensure safe, interesting, engaging, and diverse program spaces.

The Extended Day Aide implements Wonders policies and practices effectively as part of a team. Teamwork is crucial, with regular meetings to support programming and lesson plans aligned with the Wonders Extended Day Curriculum.

Essential Functions

• Actively plan learning activities that are balanced in all areas and include active/quiet, long/short, group/individual, cognitive/physical, large group/small group and child initiated/teacher directed, with attention given to the children’s ideas and curiosities in influencing the direction of daily activities.
• Implement policies, procedures, and practices in an organized and thorough manner.
• Actively participate, contribute, and cooperate in team planning sessions with Program Director and team.
• Meet with your team to lead planning and implementation of activities that are age‑appropriate, process‑oriented, and encourage divergent thinking, creativity, and problem‑solving, based on Wonders extended day curriculum, philosophy and mission.
• Maintain open communication with Program Director regarding children, families, and team members.
• Assist in orientating and training new team members for center responsibilities.
• Share teaching responsibilities with all team members and provide clear and objective feedback.
• Plan and participate in special events for children and families.
• Ensure that all spaces used by the program are safe, interesting and engaging for children, clean and organized, reflect and support the lives and work of the children present, and support children in their understanding of the diversity of our society.
• Develop behavior management strategies based on Wonders policy, with team and Program Director.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with families.
• Communicate with families on a regular basis to inform them of program curriculum and activities and solicit information about their child’s development and family events.
• Participate in accreditation and reaccreditation processes for your site.
• Attend a minimum of 18 hours of staff training yearly (MSDE/OCC approved for MD staff).
• Work extended hours on half and full‑service days including winter and spring breaks and on early release days.

Core Competencies

• Creative, nurturing, and fun
• Dependable and detail oriented
• Thrives in a high‑pressure environment
• People oriented— enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Adaptable— enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
• Innovative— prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity

Qualifications – DC

• At least a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have at least six (6) months of supervised experience working with school‑age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, licensed Child Development Center, or
• Have earned at least forty‑eight (48) semester credit hours from an accredited university, of which at least nine (9) semester credit hours are in child and youth development, and have at least six (6) months of supervised experience working with school‑age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, a licensed Child Development Center, or
• Have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have at least one (1) year of supervised occupational experience working with school‑age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, a licensed Child Development Center
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

EEO Statement

Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

ADA Compliance

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Additional Information

Job Type: Part‑time / Non‑exempt

Program Length: 2026 - 2027 School year / 10 months

Work Schedule: After Care - 2:00p to 6:00p

Work Locations: Washington, DC 20009