Preschool Enrichment Instructor

Join our YMCA team as a Preschool Enrichment Instructor! Help young children learn, grow, and explore through fun, engaging, age-appropriate activities in a supportive and nurturing environment. If you enjoy working with preschoolers and making a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you! The New Canaan YMCA is looking for an engaging and creative individual to teach and guide preschool and youth activities.

Activities will range from Movement and Tumbling, Cooking, Music, STEM/STEAM and more - with an emphasis on fun, safety and fundamental skills - all using the incredible facilities available at our YMCA, such as our Bouncing Bears Gym.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

• Lead age-appropriate enrichment and recreational activities for preschool children.
• Lead activities such as arts and crafts, music and movement, sports, games, creative play, STEM exploration, bouncing bears, and other hands-on experiences.
• Encourage children to participate, explore new activities, and develop social, emotional, physical, and creative skills.
• Provide positive encouragement and guidance while helping children build confidence and independence.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming activity environment.
• Set up and put away equipment, supplies, and activity spaces.
• Supervise children and maintain appropriate group management and safety practices.
• Follow YMCA policies and procedures, including health, safety, supervision, and emergency procedures.
• Communicate positively and professionally with children, parents/guardians, and YMCA staff.
• Adapt activities to meet the developmental needs and abilities of individual children.
• Lead transitions, routines, and daily activities.
• Help create a fun and inclusive environment where every child feels welcomed and supported.
• Guide Pre School Enrichment Assistant with knowledge and leadership.
• Provide lesson plans to Assistant Director of Program 2 weeks before beginning of program session.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, or behavioral concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or program director. Adhere to policies related to boundaries with consumers.
• Attend required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising consumers.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements
• Job description may be changed at any time by supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to:  climb, kneel, reach, push, swim, balance, crouch, stand, pull, grasp, repetitive motions, navigate stairs, stoop, crawl, walk, lift, talk, hear, and sit. 
• The employee may occasionally need to exercise these physical labor demands: exerting up to 60 pounds of force occasionally. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include:  close/far vision, ability to adjust focus, peripheral vision, depth perception, and field of vision. 
• Acute hearing is essential to this position. 
• In this position, this person will be frequently required to work in outside-weather conditions.
• While performing the duties of this job, this individual may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid environment, and moderate noise.

EFFECT ON END RESULT

• Pre-School Activities Instructor will provide a fun and expressive experience for participants.
• Programs will be designed to foster an opportunity for individual creative expression. Programs may include, but not be limited to: music, dance, drama, puppetry, sports, storytelling, personal talents,
• Participants will be exposed to the YMCA four core values of honesty, respect, responsibility and caring etc.

Candidates should have experience working with children, and feel comfortable providing age-appropriate lessons to groups including:

• Parent/Child classes (ages 1 - 3)
• Preschool (ages 3 - 5)
• School Age (ages 6 - 12)

Days and times can be flexible - please indicate in your application approximate number of hours you are looking to work.

• Have at least 2 years of experience working with preschool-aged children.
• Have previous experience in childcare, recreation, education, camp, or youth programming.
• Energetic, patient, creative, and enthusiastic personality.
• Ability to engage young children through play, movement, and hands-on activities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Dependable, responsible, and able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude in a busy children's program.

Salary : $22 - $40