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Little Sprouts

Play-based early education and care

Assistant Support Teacher

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$17 - $20/hr+ 401(k) employer match + Employee referral bonus
Mid
Associate's
Wilmington, MA, USA
In PersonOnsite in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
EducationEarly Childhood Education

About the job

Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Experience working with young children in a childcare or educational setting.
  • Knowledge of child development and classroom safety standards.
  • Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to follow lesson plans and support the Certified Teacher effectively.
  • 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.
Responsibilities
  • 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.
  • 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, recognizing, documenting, and immediately reporting any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
  • Support individual developmental needs and nurture children’s understanding of caring for themselves, others, and the environment.
  • Greet families 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.
  • 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.
  • Complete assigned classroom tasks daily.
  • Maintain zero major safety incidents annually.
  • Achieve positive feedback from the Certified Teacher and classroom observations.
  • Ensure 100 percent adherence to child safety protocols.
  • Document observations for at least 90 percent of assigned children each month.
  • Respond to delegated parent inquiries within 24 hours.
  • Participate in at least two family engagement events per year.
  • Complete 100 percent of annual training requirements.
  • Participate in at least one professional development activity per quarter.
Desired Qualifications
  • Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
  • Experience or interest in sustainability, environmental education, or eco-conscious classroom practices.

About the company

Little Sprouts runs a network of early education and care centers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It provides high-quality, play-based early education and childcare through experienced teachers and school leaders who deliver consistent programs across multiple locations. The centers use a play-based curriculum and follow NAEYC’s Anti-Bias Early Education framework, focusing on responsive relationships to support healthy childhood development and strong family engagement. What sets Little Sprouts apart is its award-winning track record, experienced staff, and explicit commitment to anti-bias, inclusive education across all schools. The company aims to make lasting positive differences for children and families by delivering reliable, emotionally supportive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Lawrence, Kansas

Founded

1982

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Marlborough opened in September 2025, proving continued site expansion and demand.
  • Little Sprouts launched acquisitions outreach in 2026, signaling a roll-up growth strategy.
  • New centers accept child care assistance and target working parents, widening enrollment.

What critics are saying

  • Staffing shortages forced Little Sprouts Granby's immediate closure in October 2023.
  • Granby inspectors found medication-training and child-file violations, signaling recurring compliance fragility.
  • Persistent educator shortages can trigger site closures, damaging trust and threatening network viability.

What makes Little Sprouts unique

  • Nearly 30 Massachusetts and New Hampshire locations create dense commuter convenience.
  • Babilou acquired Little Sprouts in 2020, adding capital and operating discipline.
  • Nature-based, STEAM-focused programs and flexible scheduling differentiate Marlborough and existing sites.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Professional Development Budget

Company News

Community Impact Newspaper
Oct 14th, 2026
Little Sprouts Childcare now open in Georgetown.

Little Sprouts Childcare now open in Georgetown. Published October 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT Little Sprouts Childcare opened off University Avenue in Georgetown last month, a representative for the business confirmed. About the business Locally owned by Kassie Johnson, the center uses play-based learning along with a curriculum to help prepare children for school, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Programs are geared toward infants starting at 6 weeks old, toddlers and preschoolers, and include after-school care for children through fifth grade. Meals are provided.