Younger Toddler Teacher Assistant

Classroom: Younger Toddler Classroom, ages 1 year to 18 months
Reports to: Younger Toddler Classroom Teacher and Group Supervisor A
Job type: Full-time, in person, within program hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: 1942 N. Front Street, Fishtown, Philadelphia, PA 19122

About this role

The Younger Toddler Teacher Assistant partners with the Classroom Teacher to carry every child through the day. This room is where walking, first words, and self-feeding all arrive at once, and the work is to keep the environment calm enough that the children can practice each one. You help deliver the daily plan, prepare the Montessori-inspired shelves, supervise attentively, and hold the routines that make a room of one-year-olds feel predictable.

ENLA Learning runs this classroom at a 1:4 Educator-to-child ratio, tighter than the state floor. That ratio is a promise to families, and this role is part of how it is kept.

Responsibilities

• Support the Classroom Teacher in delivering daily lessons, sensory work, and language-rich play planned for 12 to 18 month olds
• Prepare and reset the shelves, floor spaces, and cubbies so the room is ready before the first child arrives
• Supervise children at all times with eyes up and attention on the room, never on a phone
• Lead diapering, hand-washing, and toileting-readiness routines to PA DHS hygiene standards
• Assist with bottle-to-cup transitions, family-style meals, and self-feeding practice
• Settle children for rest, following each child's individual nap plan
• Support outdoor time, gross-motor play, and safe transitions between spaces
• Record observations, diaper logs, meal notes, and daily reports in Procare as directed
• Greet families at drop-off and pick-up with a clear, warm, factual account of the child's day
• Help maintain PA DHS licensing compliance and ENLA Learning policy in the room

Qualifications

• Associate degree (A.A.) in Early Childhood Education, or equivalent college credits in ECE, required
• High school diploma or GED
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Prior experience with children under 2 preferred, in any setting
• Comfortable with tablets and apps for documentation and family communication

State clearances, certifications, and required trainings

Must be current before the first day on the floor and renewed on schedule. ENLA Learning tracks expiration dates and gives advance notice. A lapsed credential removes a staff member from the floor until cleared.

• FBI fingerprint clearance (IdentoGO PA DHS enrollment, service code 1KG738)
• PA State Police criminal background clearance (PATCH)
• PA Child Abuse History clearance (PA Child Welfare Portal)
• National Sex Offender Registry check (NSOPW.gov)
• Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification (American Red Cross or American Heart Association)
• Mandated Reporter training certificate (University of Pittsburgh)
• Fire safety training (Pennsylvania Professional Development Registry)
• Health and Safety training, CCDBG-required topics (Pennsylvania Professional Development Registry)
• Minimum 15 clock hours of annual professional training, tracked via the Pennsylvania Professional Development Registry
• TB test within the last 2 years
• Physical examination within the last 2 years

Required personal qualities

Bright-line rule: reliability and on-time arrival. A late arrival or no-show puts the Younger Toddler room out of ratio. Punctuality is a core job skill and is evaluated continuously.

• Patience and warmth with children who cannot yet tell you what they need
• Calm is leadership. Steady presence during the busiest transitions of the day
• Willingness to take direction from the Classroom Teacher and grow professionally
• Clear, respectful communication with children, families, and team
• Team over ego. Follow-through on assigned tasks without being asked twice

What ENLA Learning provides

• Health and wellness coverage
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holiday benefits
• Professional development funding and support toward further ECE credentials
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discount on ENLA Learning tuition
• 24 paid professional development hours per year, double the state floor
• Clear advancement path to Classroom Teacher and beyond

About ENLA Learning

ENLA Learning (Education Nation Learning Academy) is a Montessori-inspired private academic school and licensed early education center in Fishtown, Philadelphia, serving children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Five classrooms, small ratios, calm environments, consistent routines. We are educators, not babysitters.

ENLA Learning is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected under federal, Pennsylvania, or Philadelphia law.

Apply: apply.enlalearning.com