Substitute Teacher - Extended Day (DC/MD)

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day seeks substitute teachers to support our early childhood and school-age programs. You’ll engage children with structured activities, model positive behavior, and help maintain a safe, welcoming classroom environment.

We value caring, energetic educators and offer flexible part-time opportunities (12–20 hours weekly) with a school-year schedule. Experience with children and a high school diploma are preferred; CPR/First Aid is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an educational, recreational, or camp setting.
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent is required. BA or AA in Education or related field is preferred.
• Coursework in approved early childhood and/or school-age child development and curriculum planning are a plus.
• CPR and First Aid certification a plus.
• Are you worried you don't meet all of our qualifications for this position? We still encourage you to apply!

Responsibilities

• Assist with established learning activities balanced across areas and groups.
• Follow policies, procedures, and practices in an organized manner.
• Assist activities age-appropriate and aligned with Wonders curriculum and mission.
• Maintain open communication with the Program Director regarding children and families.
• Ensure spaces are safe, engaging, clean, and reflective of our diverse community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Experience with children

Education

High school diploma

BA or AA in Education

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?

Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental! Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.

Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!

About Wonders

Our Mission - To cultivate curiosity, resilience, and social responsibility in children by fostering high-quality, nurturing, and inclusive educational communities led by skilled professionals

Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.

Our programs support today's workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.

Benefits & Compensation

We provide paid pre-employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, & drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation.

Wonders values its educators and leaders and we invest in our workforce by prioritizing compensation and nurturing meaningful careers. Our educators are regularly engaged in efforts towards continuous improvement in their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation.

Job Summary

The Substitute Teacher plays an important role in providing quality child care services in both our early childhood and school-age programs.

Our teachers are positive models... They stimulate creative thought processes, provide hands‑on experiences, and promote emotional development for children. Every day we need enthusiastic, energetic, and experienced individuals to work when needed, to fill in for our regular staff when they are not able to work.

Essential Functions

• Assist with established 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. Attention is given to the children's ideas and curiosities in influencing the direction of daily activities.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and practices in an organized and thorough manner.
• Assist with activities that are age-appropriate, process-oriented, and encourage divergent thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, based on Wonders curriculum, philosophy and mission.
• Maintain open communication with the Program Director regarding children, families, and team members.
• Assist with making sure that all spaces used by the program are: physically and emotionally safe / interesting and engaging for children / clean and organized / reflect and support the lives and work of the children present / support children in their understanding of the diversity of our society.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Creative, nurturing, and fun
• Dependable and detail oriented
• People oriented – enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Adaptable – enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an educational, recreational, or camp setting.
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent is required. BA or AA in Education or related field is preferred.
• Coursework in approved early childhood and/or school-age child development and curriculum planning are a plus.
• CPR and First Aid certification a plus.
• Are you worried you don't meet all of our qualifications for this position? We still encourage you to apply!

Additional Information

Job Type: Part-Time / 12 - 20 hours weekly

Program Length: School Year 26-27 / 10 months

Work Schedule:Before Care: 6:45a to 8:45a / After Care - 2:00p to 6:00p / 2:30p to 6:30p (Depending on Program Location)

*Note: You must be available to work at least 3 afternoons per week and be willing to commit to work for the entire school year.