PFA Lead Teacher

Job Summary

The Preschool for All Expansion Lead Teacher serves as one of two primary teachers for an assigned group of preschool age children, responsible for the safety, care, and well-being of the entire group. Accountable for responsive care to all children, enriched by high quality language experiences, with an emphasis on social/emotional growth. Also accountable for focused observations, planning, and adapting routines and daily experiences with each individual child’s abilities and interests. This also includes child assessment, and evaluation of the effectiveness of child development activities. The Preschool for All Expansion Lead Teacher maintains regular communication with parents, and implements curriculum and program requirements, in adherence to performance and outcome standards, as prescribed by the multiple funding partners, federal, state and local standards, and organizational goals and values.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Provide a positive climate of prompt and consistent responsive and individualized care to help children develop secure relationships and attachment throughout the day including diapering/toileting meal and active play and floor times.
• Adhere to continuity of relationship practices and work with assigned group of preschool children applying best practices for Preschool.
• Provide a language rich classroom environment which includes consistency in talking, singing and relating to children’s verbal and nonverbal cues, at eye level.
• Assure families receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experience clear communication with teaching staff.
• Obtain families’ social-cultural background information and designs meaningful learning experiences for children based on their findings.
• Utilize fidelity measures to support English Language Learners and to inform linguistic and culturally responsive practices.
• Follow consistent routines and make certain the schedule for Preschool children is regular enough to be predictable, but flexible enough to meet their individual needs, diapering and feeding on demand.
• Meet the individual needs of each child, at their physical level (kneeling, bending, or sitting on the floor).
• Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire group to ensure the safety of each child whether in the classroom, on the playground, or in common areas.
• Promote family engagement and awareness through a variety of methods and ensure parents receive adequate information about their child’s experiences through daily contacts, scheduled home visits and parent conferences.
• Partner with families to increase their understanding of child development and stages, including social/emotional well-being and early literacy; and to support relationships between children & their families.
• Participate in required health and safety procedures to reduce the spread of germs for the sake of children, parents and staff.
• Integrate and assist children with special needs and adapt activities accordingly.
• Utilize routines such as diapering, toileting/training, cleaning, feeding and changing wet clothes as opportunities for strengthening development, learning, and skill growth.
• Observe children daily upon arrival to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, emotional disturbance, or other special needs and complete daily health check.
• Participate and support agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of eligible families.
• Maintain regular job attendance, professionalism in attire and demeanor, observe and respect issues of confidentiality, ethics, and best practices.
• Support the YMCA’s mission and center operations as assigned.
  
  

Minimum And Preferred Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree in ECE w/state issued current Early Learning PEL License or a Gateway Level 5 credential and signed contingency to obtain an Illinois Early Learning PEL license by start date.
• 1-3 years’ experience in a preschool classroom, preferably NAEYC accredited and/or EHS or PI funded program.
• Apply early childhood development theory, curriculum and practices in daily activities and adapt to children’s individual needs and interests. Familiarity with Creative Curriculum and Gold Assessment preferred.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills and ability to tailor communication to different audiences.
• Flexibility to care for children 3 years - 5 years, interact at their eye level, move quickly, monitor and assess situations.
• Ability to build rapport and to respect the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the population served.
• Maintain a safe learning environment at all times in classroom, playground and common areas.
• Motivated continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills.
• Complete and maintain detailed, accurate evidence of children’s learning, records and other documentation as established.
• Intermediate computer skills, internet and email and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Leader competencies in previous experience or practice.
• Travel in Chicago land area communities for family Home Visits and training.
• Discreetly handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Ability to obtain YMCA and DCFS background check clearance and provide documentation of current physical based on program requirements
  
  

Child Abuse Prevention

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required