Assistant Educator, Early Childhood Center

La Jolla Country Day School is seeking a warm, collaborative, and student-centered assistant educator to join our Early Childhood Center (ECC) for the 2026–2027 academic year. Partnering with lead and associate educators, the assistant educator helps create an engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environment where young children build confidence, curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Assistant educators support children's academic, social-emotional, and physical development through play-based learning, responsive relationships, and active participation in all aspects of classroom life. **Why Join La Jolla Country Day School?** At La Jolla Country Day School, the ECC is a vibrant campus-within-a-campus where young children are known, valued, and inspired to grow. Our program emphasizes experiential learning, curiosity, creativity, and relationship-building in a warm and nurturing environment. The ECC curriculum is integrated, developmentally appropriate, and rooted in the understanding that play is the primary means through which young children learn. Through exploration, projects, direct instruction, and thematic studies, children develop foundational literacy, language, reasoning, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for future learning. As a mission-driven community committed to belonging and whole-child education, we value educators who bring patience, joy, flexibility, and a genuine love for working with young children. If you are energized by supporting early learners as they discover the world around them, we would love to meet you. **What You'll Do** - Teaching & Student Support - Partner with lead and associate educators to implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum - Support children's learning in whole-group, small-group, and individual settings - Lead learning experiences and classroom activities as assigned - Foster children's academic, social-emotional, language, and physical development through responsive interactions - Encourage curiosity, creativity, independence, and positive peer relationships - Support children in developing communication, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills - Learning Environment & Classroom Community - Prepare classroom materials and maintain engaging learning spaces - Help create a safe, organized, inclusive classroom that supports children with diverse learning needs - Support daily routines, including arrival, dismissal, meals and snacks, outdoor play, rest time, and transitions - Supervise children indoors and outdoors while promoting safety, responsibility, and positive behavior - Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities - Communicate regularly with classroom teachers regarding student progress and classroom needs - Collaborate with colleagues to support instructional goals and child development - Participate in family events, school activities, faculty meetings, and professional learning **Who You Are** - Child-Centered & Nurturing: You genuinely enjoy working with young children and understand the importance of creating an environment where every child feels safe, known, and valued. - Collaborative Team Member: You enjoy partnering with educators and families to support children's growth and understand the value of shared responsibility in an early childhood classroom. - Patient & Flexible: You approach each day with kindness, adaptability, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor while responding thoughtfully to the changing needs of young children. - Reflective & Growth-Oriented: You embrace feedback, demonstrate a growth mindset, and seek opportunities to strengthen your practice as an educator. - Strong Communicator: You communicate professionally and compassionately with children, families, and colleagues while building trusting relationships. - Community Builder: You value diversity, foster belonging, and contribute to an inclusive school culture grounded in respect, empathy, and collabo…