The role involves ensuring the safety and well-being of children while implementing a developmentally appropriate preschool program. Responsibilities include managing classroom flow, engaging children in play, and supervising practicum students and interns.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a high school diploma and at least one year of experience in Early Childhood Education. Required certifications include CPR/First Aid, DHHS background checks, and State of Maine Licensing training.
Do you believe that a cardboard box is actually a spaceship? Can you negotiate a peace treaty over a blue crayon? If you’re passionate about nurturing tiny humans and want to be a part of the vibrant University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) community, we want to meet you!
While we love the summer sun, we are looking for a partner who is available year-round to support our little learners through every season. If you’re ready to trade "seasonal" for "sensational," read on! As a per-diem Child Care Substitute Teacher, you’ll help us create a world where every child feels seen, safe, and celebrated.
In this role, you aren’t just "filling in"—you are a vital part of our educational ecosystem.
Chief Guardian of Safety: You’ll protect the well-being of every child in the center, keeping a watchful and caring eye on our little explorers at all times.
The High-Five Hero: You will assist in implementing a developmentally appropriate preschool program within our childcare setting.
Active Playmate & Guide: Whether it’s an indoor fort-building session or an outdoor nature walk, you’ll be right there in the mix, communicating and engaging during play and caretaking routines.
Classroom Conductor: You’ll manage the flow of the day effectively, minimizing distractions and keeping the learning environment positive and productive.
Curator of Calm: You will help set up a physical space that reduces stress and conflict, making sure the environment is optimized for joyful engagement.
Mentorship Maestro: You’ll assist in guiding the next generation of educators by helping supervise UMF practicum students, interns, and work-study assistants.
Your Secret Superpowers (Core Competencies)
We aren’t just looking for a resume; we’re looking for a specific kind of calling:
The Connector: You have a natural gift for building professional, trusting relationships with both children and their families.
The Shape-Shifter: You are adaptable and flexible, effortlessly pivoting your teaching methods to meet the unique, individual needs of every student.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance
Retirement Contributions
Tuition Waivers
The Child-Whisperer: You can read a child's subtle cues and respond with sensitivity, helping them find their independence while feeling supported.
The Inclusion Champion: You treat every family with deep dignity and respect, celebrating the beautiful diversity of our community’s cultures and backgrounds.
The Feelings Coach: You guide behavior with a gentle hand—using positive reinforcement and redirection while recognizing and validating big feelings.
The Treasure Map (Requirements & Qualifications)
What you must bring to the table
A high school diploma or equivalent.
At least one (1) year of experience working in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
Current CPR/First Aid certification (or the heart to get it within your first 30 days).
DHHS fingerprinting and background check (or ability to complete prior to start).
Completion of the State of Maine Licensing training (or the gusto to complete within your first 14 days of joining us).
Proof of current vaccinations prior to start (Tdap, MMR).
Bonus points if you have
An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (or a related field).
One (1) to three (3) years of experience specifically in a preschool setting.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Contact information for three (3) professional references
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4
30pm EST on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
The University of Maine at Farmington employees are Mandatory Reporters with the exception of UMF’s licensed, clinical medical providers (including athletic trainers) and mental health providers and their clinical interns when working in their capacity as providers.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws.
Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment.
The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System).
For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/ [http://www.maine.edu/title-ix/].
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report [https://www.umf.maine.edu/publicsafety/annual-security-report/]. If you have any questions, contact UMF Dept. of Public, Safety / Campus Police, University of Maine at Farmington, 149 Quebec Street, Farmington, Maine 04938-1994 tel 207-778-7400UMF
About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS), established in 1968, consists of seven universities and the University of Maine School of Law, spread across various locations in Maine. UMS provides system-wide services and governance from these locations, leveraging the distinct strengths and collaborations among its institutions to advance strategic priorities for UMS [https://www.maine.edu/strategic-plan/] and the state of Maine.
Choosing UMS means opting for a high quality of life supported by excellent benefits such as tuition waivers, robust retirement contributions, and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability.
Maine's diverse landscapes, from accessible wilderness and rugged coastline to urban centers and rural communities, offer numerous cultural activities, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, and high-quality healthcare.
The University of Maine at Farmington has earned a national reputation for excellence, gaining stature as one of the finest state-supported liberal arts colleges in the northeastern U.S.
Additionally, UMF is rated 5th in U.S.
News & World Report Top Regional Public College North for 2023 and has been rated one of America's Best Colleges by U.S.
News 25 times since 1998.
The campus is in historic downtown Farmington, just a short walk away from coffee shops, funky stores, restaurants, banks, bookstores, a multi-screen movie theater and a whole lot more. Our perfect location combines the active outdoor lifestyle with the arts & smarts of a small college town. With enrollment at around 1,600 full-time students, UMF is about the same size as many of New England’s most selective private colleges and offers many of the same advantages, yet at a very affordable price — providing a tremendous college value in a spectacular natural setting. Established in 1864 as Maine’s first public institution of higher education, the University of Maine at Farmington is a founding member of The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) an exclusive national group of public colleges and universities committed to providing superior liberal arts and sciences education.
In Maine, per diem child care substitute roles are often sought by centers that need flexible coverage for classrooms and daily staffing gaps. This role is competitive because it requires a high school diploma, at least one year of Early Childhood Education experience, and current CPR/First Aid, DHHS background checks, and Maine licensing training. Review the AI-summarized job requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your certifications are current before applying.
