Early Childhood Staff

HUMAN SERVICE CHAMBER OF FRANKLIN COUNTY; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 19,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

HUMAN SERVICE CHAMBER OF FRANKLIN COUNTY seeks an Early Childhood staff member for the Festa 3-Generation Family ESL Program. You will support children aged 3 months to 3 years, providing a safe, nurturing learning environment in a multicultural setting.

The role emphasizes English language exposure, parent involvement, and structured daily routines. Position offers 8–20 hours per week during September 2026 to April/May 2027, with evening shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience working with infants to preschoolers in a group setting.
• Ability to create a nurturing classroom and safe environment.
• Ability to model prosocial skills and positive behavior.
• Comfort with engaging parents who may be learning English.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. and move comfortably.

Responsibilities

• Be on site during scheduled hours and help with classroom setup and cleanup.
• Support daily enrichment activities for very young children.
• Assist children in meeting self-care goals and routine.
• Maintain a safe, clean classroom and supervise activities.
• Promote prosocial skills and positive behavior approaches.
• Communicate concerns to the Site Leader in a timely manner.

Skills

Experience with young children

Positive behavior support

Classroom management

Strong communication

Community-minded

Job description

Early Childhood Staff
Festa 3-Generation Family ESL Program

“I’ve been working at Festa for almost three years and they’ve been absolutely amazing. I love the community that we’ve built and the programs that we run, I’ve also realized that this is the type of work I want to do for the rest of my life.”—current ESL staff member

“I find teaching at Festa very fulfilling. I love choosing books for our children and helping them develop a love of reading. I also really enjoy planning educational sensory activities for our children. It is very satisfying watching our children learn to walk in line, calmly eat dinner, separate from Mom and Dad, develop prereading skills, and get ready for kindergarten!”—current ESL staff member

Get an idea of what a day in the life of the Festa 3-Generation Family ESL Program looks like!

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Since 2007, Festa is serving our neighbors and ending poverty through life-changing relationships. We are devoted to serving children and families facing suburban poverty through our flagship program: 3-Generation Family ESL. This unique, nationally recognized program welcomes families from 99 home countries and 40+ Ohio zip codes into one space where adults learn English while children receive homework help, social support, preschool and dinner. We serve more than 1,100 families annually, supporting them as they move from surviving to thriving.

Early Childhood staff care for and nurture the youngest children of adults who are simultaneously attending English as a Second Language classes on site. Because many of the children may never attend traditional preschool, this is an exceptional opportunity to introduce and cultivate early childhood educational elements, including intentional exposure to the English language/usage. The classroom will operate with a daily schedule, learning centers and an emphasis on building prosocial skills that will be the foundation for future learning. This is a fun and high energy, multicultural environment. 2 classrooms: 3 months – walking; walking to 3 yrs.

REPORTS TO: Programs Manager

HOURS

September 2026 – April/May 2027 (varies by program location)
8-20 hours per week including staff training, program nights and final wrap up.
Schedule:
OPTION A: 2 weekday evenings (8-10 hours per week), 5:15-9:15pm Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday)
OPTION B: 4 weekday evenings (16-20 hours per week), 5:15-9:15pm (Monday-Thursday; two nights at each location)

COMPENSATION

Range is $14.00 – $16.00 an hour based on experience and qualifications. Position does not qualify for health insurance, paid sick time, vacation time, or mileage reimbursement.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with young children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers) preferably in a group setting
• Knowledge of and the ability to provide a safe, nurturing, and friendly classroom
• Demonstrated love of children and a willingness to play
• Ability to model and support development of prosocial skills
• Experience managing challenging behaviors in a positive way
• A passion for local mission work: a heart to minister to children and adults who are multicultural and socio-economically diverse, as well as with community volunteers
• Good communication and people skills with an ability to work with parents who are still learning the English language
• An appreciation of and affinity for working with community volunteers
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., bend, sit on floor and move with agility

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be on site during scheduled hours each day that program operates and participate in classroom set-up and clean-up.
• Enthusiastically support FUN daily enrichment programming (educational, recreational, arts/crafts etc.) appropriate for very young children, rotating activities/materials/music to keep experience rich and fresh
• Support children in meeting goals of separating from parents, self-care skills, making choices, following a routine and learning positive ways to get their needs met
• Assist in ensuring the safety and well-being of children; maintain a safe and clean classroom; support children with self-care tasks such as handwashing; interact and play with children during planned and free choice activities while supporting and encouraging involvement and exploration
• Model and promote prosocial skills
• Support helping children learn how to control their own behavior using a positive approach while setting clear expectations and appropriate limits
• Assist in developing a community by promoting individual children’s strengths and talents, supporting the development of new friendships, and ensuring each child is treated as a “gift”
• Present a professional attitude in dress, manner, and conversation; maintain confidential information shared by children, parents and other staff
• Identify issues/concerns and communicate them to Site Leader in a timely manner
• Change diapers or assist a child with toileting as needed

Position requires satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.

Festa is an equal opportunity employer.