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We believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success.
Job Description
GENERAL FUNCTION:
Responsible for: guiding children through an age-appropriate curriculum (21/2 - 3 1/2 years) that develops self-help skills and instills the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility; guiding and mentoring new care giving staff (Assistant Teachers); maintaining a thorough understanding and knowledge of the child care programs that the Ann Arbor YMCA provides and assisting the Lead Teacher in the daily upkeep of the Child Care classroom and its contents.
Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related field strongly preferred.
A minimum of two years’ experience working as an Assistant Teacher in the Child Care program
A minimum of three years’ experience working with children and families
Previous experience in a NAEYC Accredited program preferred
Must be capable of using basic Microsoft Office software.
Must be able to learn and use YMCA specific software within 14 days of hire.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility and an ability to work in a team setting are required.
Must have physical examination, including satisfactory TB test, six months prior to beginning work or 30 days after.
A patient, high energy and goal-oriented attitude is essential.
Ability to be responsive to the needs, wants and interests of both the parents and youth enrolled in the Child Care programs.
Multi-lingual ability is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
Must be able to assist an average size child up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency
Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.
Essential Functions
- Assist in the implementation of a developmentally appropriate early childhood education experience including art, music, movement, math, science and language with an emphasis on implementing the YMCA curriculum, Creative Curriculum NAEYC standards and Great Start to Quality Standards in the classrooms.
- Actively engage in activities; help establish and maintain daily classroom routines, as assigned by the Lead Teacher. Daily classroom routines include food preparation and clean up, following classroom schedules, naptime assistance, and cleaning toys.
- Help ensure smooth, daily transition from home to the child development center. Greet each child and adult warmly and in a friendly manner each day upon arrival.
- Assists the Lead Teacher in planning and organizing activities and lessons, which would include centers, small and large group activities, and large motor movement activities.
- Assist in supervising all activities to ensure safety of each child at all times, complete incident or illness reports and communicate information to Director immediately.
- Communicate, maintain and model independent behaviors and offers guidance to promote physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in young children.
- Encourage and model healthy eating habits and physical play for children, self-help and good hygiene through behavior modeling.
- Interacts with children, using the Love and Logic behavior management model by Jim Fay.
- Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions and progress reports, through face-to-face interactions and phone calls if needed.
- Model positive adult-to-child and adult-to-adult interactions and foster an atmosphere of respect for children and adults.
- Follow all center policies and state regulations.
- Possess working knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and proper reporting procedures.
- Maintain a personal profession development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
Leader
Required Certifications
CPR and First Aid Certification strongly preferred