POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Preschool Lead Teacher provides direct supervision and leadership to a group of Infant and Toddlers and is responsible for providing a program that fosters children’s social, physical, spiritual, and mental growth. The Preschool Lead Teacher assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with members, colleagues, guests, volunteers, and vendors.
• Positively and proactively communicates with and responds to supervisor, staff, program participants, and parents.
• Ensures that program participants, program areas, and equipment are kept clean and safe.
• Maintains physical presence, remains alert at all times while on duty, maintains constant visual attention to program participants, remains aware of surroundings, and actively participates in all program activities.
• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including those for the prevention of child abuse and the Rule of Three.
• Follows all Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and YMCA Child Care procedures and guidelines including those pertaining to health and safety, supervision of children, child care discipline, policy drop-off/pick-up, attendance, forms, reports, and staff expectations as required by the YMCA, licensing, and the state health department.
• Performs on-going developmental evaluations of children as required by funding sources. Develops weekly plans and implements age appropriate curriculum (lesson plan) to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development, addresses the individual needs of each child, and prepares developmental progress reports as needed.
• Demonstrates cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic, and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans.
• Provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children’s learning and growth. Regularly plans, evaluates and improves the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.
• Provides responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group.
• Assists and tutors children individually and in small groups to help master material and reinforce learning outcomes.
• Develops schedules and routines to ensure children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime.
• Watches for signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and brings problems to the attention of parents.
• Keeps records of the students’ progress, routines, and interests, and keeps parents informed about their child’s development
• Knows, reviews, and enforces all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, completes related reports as required.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with children preferred
• Upon hire must have documentation of a physical examination and a TB Tine Test, to be repeated every two years
• Baccalaureate or higher degree in early childhood education (ECE) or a related major (child development, elementary education, early childhood special education).
• Transcript reflecting an earned BA or higher degree in ECE or related major; OR diploma reflecting that a BA or higher degree was completed and that lists the ECE or related major
• ECTC credential is awarded at two levels: Associate's Degree level with an endorsement(s) Infant/toddler/Preschool or Bachelor's Degree level with an endorsement(s) Infant/toddler/Preschool
• Must submit Office of Early Childhood Background Check and fingerprinting forms within 30 days of hire
• Remains calm and objective when under pressure and or when challenged by others or when working with children that display challenging behaviors
• Effective communication skills necessary to inform, counsel, motivate, and support members
• Must be observant, safety-conscious, and able to react calmly and quickly in an emergency, adaptable and flexible to the programs needs
• Possesses organizational skills