Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Vermont (NOW HIRING)

Are You Ready to Make an Immediate Impact?
Babilou Family US is part of the global Babilou Family network and brings a local, community-focused approach to early childhood education through our Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, and Heartworks schools. We are looking for a proactive and collaborative team member who will support our mission and contribute meaningfully to this role.
As an Assistant Teacher, you will contribute to a safe, nurturing, and sustainable learning environment where children can grow, explore, and thrive. You will support the Certified Teacher in implementing meaningful learning experiences, maintaining an organized and eco-minded classroom, and fostering respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues. This role is ideal for someone excited about early learning, teamwork, and incorporating sustainable education practices into daily routines.
Our work is guided by our educational approach, Sustainable Education®, which bridges research and daily practice to help children thrive and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We're in what we like to call the science of children. Everything we do is rooted in research about how young minds grow- how they learn, connect, and build the skills that last a lifetime. We also lead our HONOR values: Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. This guiding framework fosters an environment where educators, children, families, and partners feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.
This locationwill operateyear-round, Monday-Friday,7:00AM-6:00PM
What We Will Achieve Together:
• We will cultivate a classroom community that emphasizes curiosity, responsibility, and care for one another and the world.
• We will integrate sustainable education principles into daily practices such as resource conservation, awareness of the natural environment, and mindful consumption.
• We will maintain safe, well-organized, and developmentally supportive learning spaces. We will strengthen communication, collaboration, and family partnerships.
• We will promote continuous professional learning grounded in sustainability and high-quality early education.
What you'll do:
Classroom Support
Assist the Certified Teacher in implementing daily lesson plans and learning experiences that support whole-child development and introduce age-appropriate sustainability concepts.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and environmentally responsible classroom environment by following sustainable routines related to materials, storage, and resource use.
Child Supervision and Development
Supervise children during classroom activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor experiences that encourage exploration and connection with nature. Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining full responsibility to recognize, document, and immediately report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
Support individual developmental needs and nurture children's understanding of caring for themselves, others, and the environment.
Family Interaction
Greet families warmly and assist with sustainable communication practices such as digital updates, purposeful resource use, and consistent messaging directed by the Certified Teacher.
Participate in family engagement events that may include sustainability-themed activities or community learning opportunities.
Professional Development
Attend all required training sessions and maintain certifications related to early childhood education, safety, and sustainable practices.
Collaborate with the teaching team to enhance classroom systems, curriculum, and sustainability initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
A Teacher Assistant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications:
• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or
• At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
Work Environment
• Active classroom environment with regular interaction with children, families, and team members
• Movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day
• Collaborative setting with consistent communication and teamwork
Physical Requirements
• The Assistant Teacher role requires active involvement in both administrative and classroom environments. To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the following physical abilities are required:

• Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday.
• Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff.

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds, including classroom materials, supplies, and occasional assistance with children's belongings.
• Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child's eye level, and participate in age-appropriate activities including light running, outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and regular movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
• Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs.
• Ability to follow and model all safety procedures.
All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.
What we offer:
We invest in our employees' health, financial wellbeing, professional growth and family success through:

• Up to 50% childcare tuition discount.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective on your first day of employment.

• Free First Stop Health membership, providing 24/7 access to virtual primary care, urgent care, and short-term mental health support.

• 401(k) retirement plan with annual discretionary employer match contribution.

• Optional life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage, helping provide financial protection and peace of mind.

• Performance-based pay, including increases tied to certification and/or degree completion.

• Career growth and professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and our dedicated CHILD Conference.

• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits, including an annual Winter Break closure between Christmas and New Year's so employees can enjoy additional time with family and friends.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources and support for mental health, financial wellness, work-life balance, and other personal needs.

• Employee referral bonus program, because great people know great people! Earn bonuses for helping us build an exceptional team.

• Additional lifestyle and fringe benefits, including tuition and professional development reimbursement, pet insurance, and other programs designed to support you and your family.

Closing:
Babilou Family US is part of a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers. We provide quality early education and child care across 42 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of nearly 900 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.
Our teams, whether at our home office or inside our schools, are change makers - they inspire, create, model, and most importantly make this a great place to work. At Babilou Family US we are consistently recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity within the communities in which we operate. Our focus on equity and inclusion allows us to develop a broader scope of ideas and approaches, offering a collaborative and dynamic educational experience for the youngest members of society.
#LI-Onsite
$18.50 - $21.50 an hour
Pay range: $18.50-$21.50 per hour for Assistant Teacher Qualified Candidates
Legal Notice
We are an equal opportunity employer and value a workplace where everyone feels welcome. Employment here is offered on an at-will basis, meaning either the employee or the company may end the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable state and federal laws.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.