General Description of Position
The Early Childhood Floating Assistant serves as a consistent, nurturing presence across all four Early Childhood classrooms, providing reliable coverage as a permanent substitute. This role supports continuity of care and rhythm when lead or assistant teachers are absent and helps maintain a warm, orderly, and developmentally appropriate environment aligned with Waldorf pedagogy.
This position spans both the morning program and the afternoon rest/nap program, requiring flexibility, initiative, and a deep respect for the young child.
The CWS EC Floating Assistant has the authority to:
- When serving in a classroom, the Floating Assistant assumes the authority of the role they are filling (Lead or Assistant), maintaining the established rhythm, expectations, and tone of the class
- May make in-the-moment decisions necessary to ensure the safety, well-being, and smooth functioning of the classroom
- Follows existing lesson plans, routines, and guidance provided by the Lead Teacher or Early Childhood Chair.
Boundaries & Limitations:
- Does not introduce new curriculum, discipline approaches, or significant changes to classroom structure
- Defers long-term behavioral concerns, parent communication, and pedagogical decisions to the Lead Teacher or Early Childhood Coordinator
- Does not participate in formal parent communications unless explicitly requested
- Maintains confidentiality regarding children, families, and faculty
- Works collegially across all classrooms without showing preference or alignment with one class over another
- Balances initiative with respect for each Lead Teacher’s unique classroom style
Areas of Responsibility
- Serve as the primary substitute for lead and assistant teachers across all Early Childhood classrooms
- Step seamlessly into classroom roles, maintaining established rhythms, routines, and expectations
- Communicate promptly with the Early Childhood Chair or School Director regarding coverage gaps when multiple absences occur
- Assist in identifying substitute needs when demand exceeds availability
- Support outreach to approved substitute teachers, as directed (e.g., contacting subs from an established list)
- Help maintain and update substitute contact lists and availability, if requested
- Support circle time, storytelling, artistic activities, outdoor play, and practical work as directed
- Uphold classroom management in a calm, consistent, and developmentally appropriate manner.
- Foster a warm, secure, and nurturing environment for children ages 2.5–6
- Model gentle, respectful behavior and language
- Assist with toileting, handwashing, dressing, and meal/snack routines as needed
- Work closely with all Early Childhood faculty to understand classroom expectations and needs
- Communicate effectively with lead teachers and administration regarding classroom coverage
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times
- Assist with classroom setup, cleaning, and daily maintenance
- Support preparation of snacks and care of classroom materials
- Step in where needed to ensure smooth daily operations
Accountability
- Reports to the School Director
- Participate in regular performance evaluations and feedback sessions.
- Assistant teachers shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care.
- Attend faculty meetings, professional development sessions, and school community events.
- Ensure compliance with all school policies and educational standards.
- Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administration to uphold the mission and vision of the Charlottesville Waldorf School.
Belongs to: Full Faculty, Early Childhood Department
Hired/ Fired/ Evaluated by: School Director
Meeting Responsibilities
- Weekly full faculty and Early Childhood department meetings after school
Qualifications and Skills
- Education and Certification:
- High school diploma; related college-level course work preferred
- Waldorf early childhood training certificate, or willingness to develop a plan for study of Waldorf early childhood pedagogy
- Experience:
- Related work with children, preferably in a classroom setting
- Study of Waldorf pedagogy and study of anthroposophy
- Ability to work well under the direction of a Lead Teacher
- Skills:
- Works well with children
- Good communication skills
- Calm, gentle manner
- Well-organized, efficient
- Works cooperatively in groups
- Initiative balanced with the ability to follow established classroom leadership
- Flexibility and resilience in a dynamic environment
- Reliability and punctuality
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Willingness to work out of Anthroposophy
Work Hours: Full-time EC Floating Assistant Teachers work Monday through Friday from 7:50am – 3:30pm. Full Faculty and Department meetings are held on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5pm.
Remuneration:
- Base Salary: $24,300 base salary plus applicable increments, based on certification, degrees and experience.
- Tuition Remission: 50% remission for 1 child for year one, increases by 10% each year of employment up to 90% (incremental increase to remission does not apply to Early Childhood students)
- Leave/Sick Days: 10 days
Charlottesville Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, color, CWS offers a comprehensive and supportive mentoring program for all of its new teachers and administrators and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not exclude anyone on the basis of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.