Student/Classroom Aide - Extended Day

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

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

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 Extended Day Aide assists in delivering high-quality before and after-school care for school-age children in Wonders Extended Day programs. The Extended Day Aide fosters an inclusive, safe, and engaging environment that stimulates creative thinking, provides hands-on experiences, and promotes social-emotional development. Working as part of a collaborative team, the Extended Day Aide effectively implements Wonders policies, practices, and program planning while actively participating in team planning and program events.

In addition to supporting overall classroom operations, this role carries the specific responsibility of providing dedicated, individualized student support.

Essential Functions

- Provide direct, individualized support and guidance to assist with specific needs, with a focus on successful engagement with peers, activities, and routines

- Participate in planning sessions and team meetings with the Program Director to implement planned activities and individual support strategies

- Maintain open communication with Program Director regarding children, families, and team members

- Stay active and involved with program activities and remain aware of all spaces and areas

- Establish and nurture partnerships with families.

- Establish and nurture professional partnerships with families, maintaining open communication with the Program Director and team members.

- Demonstrate a strong understanding of age-appropriate behavior and promote positive guidance strategies throughout the program.

- Participate in special events for children and families

- Attend a minimum of 12 hours of staff training yearly

- Work extended hours on half and full service days including winter and spring breaks and on early release days

- Become familiar with and abide by all Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day policies, including those in the staff handbook, parent handbook, and terms of employment.

- Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Core Competencies

- Nurturing, creative, and engaging approach to working with school-age children

- Patient, empathetic, and inclusive mindset when supporting children with unique learning or behavioral needs

- Dependable, detail-oriented, and reliable in daily attendance and responsibilities

- Adaptable and comfortable handling frequent shifts in direction or changing classroom dynamics

- Strong team orientation and enjoyment of working collaboratively on group projects and daily activities

- Proactive and observant in maintaining active supervision and anticipating child support needs

- Professional and respectful communication skills with children, families, and colleagues

Qualifications - DC

- Minimum 2 years' 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 must include a minimum of 6 semester or 90 clock hours or the equivalent of approved school-age coursework in child development and curriculum planning. Professional development in special education strongly preferred.

- If no college courses taken for credit, at least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills

- At least a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have at least six (6) months of supervised experience working with school-age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, licensed Child Development Center, OR

- Have earned at least forty-eight (48) semester credit hours from an accredited university, of which at least nine (9) semester credit hours are in child and youth development, and have at least six (6) months of supervised experience working with school age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, a licensed Child Development Center, OR

- Have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have at least one (1) year of supervised occupational experience working with school age children under the age of fifteen (15) years at a duly authorized school or camp, a licensed Child Development Center

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

EEO Statement

Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

ADA Compliance

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Job Type: Part-Time / 20 hours weekly

Program Length: School Year 26-27 / 10 months

Work Schedule: 2:00p to 6:00p

Work Location: John Francis - 2425 N Street NW Washington DC 20037