POSITION SUMMARY:

The Pre-School Assistant Teacher is responsible for assisting the Pre-School Lead Teacher in providing development, curriculum implementation & supervision in the classroom. This role may be placed in classrooms with children aged between 6 weeks and 5 years old. In addition, every position in the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, Inc is responsible for upholding the Judeo-Christian principles that are central to our mission by modeling behaviors that exemplify the four pillars of character - caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Caring as primary provider for a group of children.
• Must engage actively while interacting with and supervising groups of children indoors/ outdoors.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in maintaining daily attendance, updating daily reports, and ensuring completion of all other administrative tasks including accident/incident reports.
• Take responsibility for the safety of the children in the child development environment and the quality of the supplies, equipment and materials in the child development area.
• Ensuring the care, safety, and well being of all children in the group.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of programs geared to preschool children; including daily theme oriented lesson plans.
• Coordinating the transition of supervision between staff to include parent/guardian drop off and pickup and that children are properly signed in/out of the program
• Greet and integrate participants into the program and prepares children for parent pick up by ensuring child cleanliness.
• Stays alert to children’s needs and or problems as individuals and as a group.
• Provides for physical needs of children including feeding, distributing snacks/drinks, restroom assistance, first aid, and diaper changes.
• Provides for the emotional needs of children including soothing distressed children, comforting sick or hurt children, redirecting negative behavior and giving positive feedback.
• Assists the Lead Teacher with general housekeeping tasks to include sanitizing and disinfecting classroom and supplies to maintain health and safety standards.
• Treats participants, families and staff with fairness, dignity and respect including but not limited to tone and all verbal communication.
• Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked and routinely monitors high risk locations (bathrooms, etc.)
• Upholds YMCA standards of professionalism in conduct, dress, and decorum.
• Participates in program feedback initiatives and participates in family engagement events.
• Follows and maintains childcare policies and procedures.
• Maintains state and YMCA training hour requirements annually.
• Setting up the physical environment to meet the needs of preschool children in regards to developmentally appropriate fine and gross motor skills per licensing and Quality Rated guidelines.
• Demonstrating, verbally and by role modeling, a sound knowledge of good teaching practices.
• Participates in all staff meetings and in-service training programs as directed.
• Preventing incidents of child abuse as a Mandated Reporter, identifying signs and symptoms of abuse, and reacting properly when they occur including providing documentation.
• Assist in the overall retention and satisfaction of YMCA members through appropriate customer service.
• Must have a willingness to care for children in all capacities; including diaper changes, toilet training, sudden illness or injury, etc.
• Assist in the Annual Campaign fundraising program for the YMCA.
• Maintain a positive and cheerful attitude with staff, parents and children.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Organizational skills
• Leadership skills
• Effective communication skills
• Experience and knowledge of Quality Rated standards preferred.
• Knowledge of social, emotional cognitive and developmental needs for young children
• Basic understanding of current child development trends and appropriate developmental practice.
• Working knowledge of State Child Care Licensing requirements.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and obtain authorization to work with children under the Georgia Department of Labor and YMCA guidelines.
• Demonstrated responsibility and dependability.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

CPR and First Aid, Fire Safety, Mandated Reporter and Health and Safety required within 90 days of employment and all other trainings assigned at onboarding.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED required. Experience working with preschool children in a group setting preferred.