Assistant Guide Position Summary

The Assistant Guide at Ithaca Montessori School (IMS) supports the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and developmental needs of children ages 3 months to 5 years old in accordance with Montessori philosophy, New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations, Quality Stars standards, and NAEYC best practices.

The Assistant Guide fosters a safe, respectful, nurturing, and prepared environment that promotes independence, concentration, self-regulation, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Assistant Guides work collaboratively with the Lead Guide, families, and administration to ensure high-quality care and education for every child.

Positions Available: 

Infant Program: 8:40AM-4:40PM and 11:00AM-5:30PM

Toddler Program: 7:40AM-3:50PM and 11:00AM-5:40PM

Primary Program: 11:00AM-5:40PM

Program: 12-month 

Start Date: As soon as possible

Rate of Pay: Determined by education and experience

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Montessori Philosophy & Classroom Practice

The Assistant Guide will:

• Develop an understanding of Montessori philosophy through ongoing training, mentoring, observation, and professional development
• Support Montessori practices that foster:
  • Independence
  • Concentration
  • Self-care
  • Grace and courtesy
  • Intrinsic motivation
• Respect each child as an individual with unique developmental needs, abilities, interests, and cultural backgrounds
• Assist in maintaining a calm, orderly, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate prepared environment
• Support children in caring for classroom materials and the environment
• Assist the Lead Guide in preparing and maintaining classroom materials and activities
• Observe children objectively to support individualized developmental and educational goals
• Assist children with:
  • Transitions
  • Toileting
  • Feeding
  • Rest routines
  • Emotional regulation
  • Self-help skills
• Support positive classroom tone-keeping and peaceful conflict resolution
• Model respectful communication, patience, and kindness
• Promote inclusion, equity, belonging, and anti-bias practices
• Assist in documenting children’s developmental progress through observation and classroom records

Infant, Toddler & Early Childhood Care Responsibilities

The Assistant Guide will:

• Provide responsive caregiving that supports secure attachments and emotional well-being
• Follow all OCFS safe sleep regulations and infant care requirements
• Support feeding routines in accordance with family preferences and health regulations
• Ensure diapering and toileting procedures are sanitary, respectful, and compliant with licensing standards
• Support children’s:
  • Gross motor development
  • Fine motor development
  • Language development
  • Cognitive development
  • Sensory development
  • Social-emotional development
• Engage children through:
  • Conversation
  • Reading
  • Songs
  • Movement
  • Outdoor play
  • Meaningful daily interactions
• Recognize and respond appropriately to developmental milestones and individual needs

Health, Safety & Supervision

The Assistant Guide will:

• Supervise children actively and attentively at all times
• Maintain proper staff-to-child ratios and group sizes in compliance with OCFS regulations
• Ensure classroom and outdoor environments are:
  • Clean
  • Organized
  • Safe
  • Hazard-free
  • Developmentally appropriate
• Conduct and assist with daily health checks and wellness screenings
• Follow all OCFS regulations and IMS policies regarding:
  • Health and safety
  • Sanitation and infection control
  • Medication administration
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Incident reporting
  • Child abuse prevention
  • Mandated reporting
• Ensure children are released only to authorized individuals
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, hazards, or concerns to administration
• Participate in emergency drills and emergency response procedures
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff

Family Engagement & Communication

The Assistant Guide will:

• Establish respectful and professional relationships with families
• Communicate positively and professionally with parents, guardians, and caregivers
• Share information regarding children’s routines, development, and daily experiences in a timely manner
• Assist with:
  • Daily reports
  • Classroom documentation
  • Communication platforms
• Support family engagement opportunities and school events
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in all communication

Professionalism

The Assistant Guide will:

• Arrive on time and prepared for each workday
• Maintain consistent attendance and reliability
• Adhere to all IMS policies, procedures, and employee handbook expectations
• Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, accountability, and teamwork
• Collaborate respectfully with classroom team members and administration
• Participate actively in:
  • Staff meetings
  • Classroom meetings
  • Reflective supervision
  • Professional discussions
• Accept feedback professionally and demonstrate willingness to grow
• Dress professionally and safely according to IMS dress code policies
• Model ethical and professional conduct at all times

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING

The Assistant Guide is responsible for:

• Completing all OCFS-required trainings
• Completing:
  • 15 hours of professional development within the first six months of employment
  • 30 hours of professional development every two years thereafter per OCFS requirements
• Maintaining current CPR/First Aid certification
• Participating in ongoing Montessori training and mentoring opportunities
• Developing and following an individualized professional development plan
• Attending required:
  • Staff meetings
  • Trainings
  • Workshops
  • Conferences

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The Assistant Guide must be able to:

• Lift, carry, and assist children and classroom materials safely
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Respond quickly in emergency situations
• Maintain attentiveness, engagement, and supervision throughout the workday

OTHER DUTIES

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Education Director or Administration Team in support of school operations and classroom functioning