Kinder Assistant

Austin Waldorf School Inc; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Waldorf School Inc. is seeking a Kindergarten Assistant to support the Kindergarten Teacher in delivering a Waldorf-aligned curriculum and nurturing classroom environment.

The role emphasizes play-based learning, social-emotional development, and collaboration with teachers, parents, and staff to foster a warm, engaging learning journey for early learners. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and obtain First Aid/CPR if not already certified.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework/experience in early childhood education preferred.
• Experience working with young children in classroom/early childhood setting.
• Waldorf education familiarity is a plus; willingness to learn developmental principles.

Responsibilities

• Assist Kindergarten Teacher in delivering developmentally appropriate Waldorf activities.
• Support children during play, circle time, arts, snack, and outdoor activities.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, organized classroom fostering creativity and interaction.
• Supervise afternoon nap/rest time and monitor student progress.
• Observe and provide feedback on student development and readiness milestones.
• Assist with individual student plans for movement, sensory activities, or language needs.
• Collaborate with teacher, Grades Director, and staff to support the whole child.
• Assist with organizing classroom events, festivals, and school activities.
• Participate in playground and lunch supervision following rules.
• Attend weekly lead teacher meetings and monthly section meetings.
• Attend in-service or training sessions as directed by Grades Director.
• Assist with ordering, inventory, and storage of materials and supplies.
• Report health or safety concerns to teacher or Facilities Manager.
• Other duties as required.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Early childhood education or child development coursework/experience

Waldorf education familiarity a plus

Strong communication & interpersonal skills

Ability to work collaboratively with staff and parents

Proficiency with basic computer literacy

First Aid/CPR certification willingness

Authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship)

Job description

Kinder Assistant

Job Description

Job Title: Kindergarten Assistant (or “Assistant”)

Reports to: Grades Director

Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt, Full-time

Supervisory responsibility: No supervisory responsibilities

Salary: Minimum: $22.00 per hour.

Salary offered depends on qualifications and years of teaching experience.

General Description

The Kindergarten Assistant supports the Kindergarten Teacher in creating a safe, nurturing, and dynamic classroom environment. This role involves assisting in the daily implementation of the Waldorf curriculum, providing direct support to students in their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. The Kindergarten Assistant is expected to foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the classroom, engage with children during lessons and activities, and ensure that each child feels valued and supported in their learning journey.

Education and Basic Requirements

1. A high school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or experience in early childhood education or child development preferred.
2. Previous experience working with young children in a classroom or early childhood setting.
3. Familiarity with Waldorf education is a plus, with a willingness to learn about developmental stages and educational principles aligned with this approach.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with students, teachers, and parents in a supportive, compassionate, and professional manner.
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
6. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
7. Basic computer literacy is required.
8. Willingness to obtain and hold First Aid/CPR certification if not already certified.
9. Incumbent must be authorized to work legally in the U.S., as AWS is unable to sponsor an applicant/employee.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant is required to perform satisfactorily the following essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Assist the Kindergarten Teacher in preparing and delivering developmentally appropriate activities that support the Waldorf curriculum, focusing on play-based and sensory learning.
2. Support the children during creative play, storytelling, circle time, arts, practical work, snack, and outdoor activities, encouraging positive social interactions and active participation.
3. Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom that encourages creativity, imagination, and healthy social interactions.
4. Supervise afternoon nap/rest time
5. Observe students' behavior and developmental progress, providing feedback to the Kindergarten Teacher to assist in monitoring milestones such as readiness for first grade.
6. Assist in implementing individual student plans for children needing additional support, particularly in areas like movement, sensory activities, or language development.
7. Work closely with the Kindergarten Teacher, other faculty members, and the Grades Director to contribute to the development of the whole child.
8. Assist with the preparation and organization of classroom events, festivals, and, at times, school activities.
9. Participate in playground and lunchtime supervision, becoming familiar with and following the playground rules to ensure the children’s safety and well-being.
10. Attend weekly meetings with the lead teacher and monthly full-section meetings.
11. Attend occasional in-service or training sessions when relevant, directed by the Grades Director, to continue learning and improving.
12. Assist with the ordering, inventorying, and storage of educational materials and supplies.
13. Monitor students for any health or safety concerns, and report issues to the Kindergarten Teacher or the Facilities Manager as needed.
14. Other duties as required.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Assistant must meet the following mental and physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate effectively information about the job.
2. The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
3. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Assistant must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
4. Good motor coordination skills, that is, the ability to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing.
5. Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.
6. Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
7. Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, grasp, stretch, push and pull, and remain sitting or upright for extended periods of time in one room.
8. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as 40 pounds.
9. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day for each are shown below. The percentages may not sum to one hundred (100) percent.

a.Sitting - 65%

b.Bending - 5%

c.Standing - 5%

d.Lifting and moving objects up to 20 pounds - 5%

e.Pushing or pulling - 5%

f.Reaching - 5%

g.Moving within and without the office environment - 10%