Jobs at Tandem

We are looking for people to join our list of backup caregivers!

PlayCare Leaders will be responsible for the safety and well-being of up to 6 kids in care at a time, between the ages of roughly 1 - 4 years old. All care occurs on premise in the childcare spaces and backyard. Parents/guardians remain on premise while their children are in care and are able to be called in for support if needed.

Playcare Leaders are responsible for planning/keeping a schedule and communicating the children’s needs as well as their own with parents. We highly value our Caregivers and want them to feel empowered to reach out for help when it is needed and to collaborate with the team to make the experience better for everyone. There are systems in place for quick support requests.

We are looking for progressive-minded caregivers who are comfortable with gentle/respectful parenting techniques. We are a group of progressive, queer, activist, multi-dimensional families and are looking for caregivers that have a willingness/openness towards fluidity in identity expression; use intentionally inclusive, non-gender-conforming, body-supportive, positive language with kids; and is open to feedback. Our ideal candidates know how to engage kids in play, have lots of creative tools in their belt, and are excited to let the children’s interests and energy lead the plan for the morning.

This position will be supporting and collaborating with a network of parents in the early stages of building Tandem - anyone on our backup playcare team can grow into worker-owners and/or full time employees as we continue to grow, open our membership and move to a permanent location!

Potential Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm

(Care is from 8:45 - 12:15 with set up/break down time built in)

Our backup caregivers may need to cover any of our open hours. As we expand, we may need two caregivers on-site, or other hourly coverage, as well as coverage for special events. In addition, they gain access to our growing network of families who have date night/other care needs!

Compensation: $25/hour minimum, Independent Contractor

Location: Private home in Salem, MA

Reports to: PlayCare Committee under a Board of Directors

PlayCare leaders are primarily responsible for the safety, well-being and fun of the children in care. Experimentation, exploration and learning through play are always encouraged. While PlayCare is primarily independent from parents/guardians, support is ALWAYS available and can be requested at any time and for any of the following activities:

• Set up, greet & transition kids into and out of care (15 min at top of day)

• Plan and implement PlayCare activities both child-led and structured, indoor or outdoor as weather permits, for example:

  • Water table play

  • Art project

  • Sing along/dance party

  • Story time

• Space reset / clean up (with kids and at end of day, plus post-care sanitizing/reset)

• Diapering / Potty assistance as able/willing

• Snack time supervision

• Boundary support (enforcing bodily autonomy, boundaries, consent and kindness)

• Loves young children - prefers toddlers

• Neurodiversity affirming and accepting (no ABA/behaviorism)

• Communicative and reliable

• Experienced and with references

• CPR/first-aid certified (or willing to complete certification with our support)

• Any EEC teacher/director certifications

• Multilingual

• proactive, confident, creative

Start date: This is not a fixed position, so you would join our roster of folx to call when we need a helping hand — IE if our caregiver is sick or on vacation, if we have a special event or pop-up, etc.

Application deadline: Rolling