Part-Time Afternoon Support Educators

Job Description

Job Description

Are you an educator looking for meaningful part-time work in the afternoons?
Are you a paraeducator, public school teacher, afterschool professional, or educational specialist seeking a consistent afternoon schedule?
Do you want to bring your passion for reflective teaching, play-based learning, and child-centered education to a joyful community of young learners?

Join the Hilltop Children’s Center community!

We are seeking warm, collaborative Part-Time Afternoon Support Educators to join our team for the 2025–2026 school year. Afternoon Support Educators help provide nurturing, engaging, and safe environments for children birth to five and/or school-age during the afternoon portion of the day.

This is an excellent opportunity for:
✅ Public school educators or paraeducators seeking a part-time afternoon role
✅ College students pursuing degrees in ECE, Education, Human Development, or related fields
✅ Professionals working part-time in education or youth services
✅ Retired educators looking to stay connected to the field

Job Summary

Support Educators play a vital role in Hilltop’s mission of nurturing global citizens and creating stewards of the world. Through reflective teaching and purposeful interactions, Support Educators help foster an engaging, inclusive environment for children during the afternoon session.

As an Afternoon Support Educator, you will collaborate with Primary Educators to support learning through inquiry, observation, play, and curiosity. You will help maintain a warm and welcoming environment that values relationship-building and supports children's social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Classroom Responsibilities

• Support an emergent, play-based learning environment focused on children’s curiosity and creativity

• Assist Primary Educators in fostering children’s mental, physical, and social-emotional development

• Build positive relationships with children through responsive interactions and play-based engagement

• Assist with classroom routines and transitions (snack, outdoor play, free play, project work, closing routines)

• Maintain a safe and nurturing environment aligned with Hilltop’s values

• Support occasional classroom documentation displays as appropriate

• Assist in preparing and organizing classroom spaces with the teaching team

Teaching Team Partnerships

• Collaborate with Primary and Mentor Educators to support afternoon programming

• Contribute to a positive, reflective teaching team culture

• Support meaningful and relevant emergent curriculum during the afternoon session

Communication Expectations

• Engage in positive communication with children and families during afternoon pick-up

• Work closely with the teaching team to ensure smooth daily transitions

• Maintain open communication with Primary Educators and Program Coordinators

Ideal Candidate

• Brings a sense of joy, playfulness, and enthusiasm to their work with children

• Has experience working in early childhood education, afterschool programs, or youth settings

• Communicates effectively with children, families, and teaching teams

• Brings curiosity and openness to reflective practice and emergent curriculum

• Enjoys working in a collaborative teaching environment

• Is reliable and committed to the full school year schedule

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field (preferred but not required)

• Some experience with classroom management preferred

• Familiarity with or interest in Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, project-based, or emergent curriculum approaches

• Ability to lift and carry children as needed

• Willingness to learn WA licensing requirements for childcare safety and supervision

Why Hilltop?
Hilltop Children’s Center is a nationally recognized program known for its play-based, child-centered approach, commitment to equity and social justice, and strong professional learning culture. You’ll join a dynamic, supportive team of educators dedicated to creating joyful learning communities for children and families.