Early Learning Teacher Assistant; Locations

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta. Today, we’re looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state.

Under the direction of the Center Director, and Early Head Start Lead Teacher, the Early Learning Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting in the delivery of a high-quality educational experience for the children and families under his/her care. Must implement the program based on the program’s goal and objectives. All decisions must be guided by the YMCA, Bright from the Start licensing, and Quality Rated.

Parent involvement is critical to the impact and success of the overall program.

• Must be 21 years of age.
• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• Have at least 2 years of experience working with children younger than five in a state licensed center. NAEYC or Quality Rated experience a plus.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.

• Utilize the curriculum goals and objectives to develop lesson plans to support the early learning standards and include educational experiences in Language/Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Creative (Music, Art and Drama), Social & Emotional, and Physical Development.
• Create activities that relate to the weekly studies and extend on what they know about each student’s interest and their families.
• Implement family style meals, sit and eat with children, and engage them in conversation.
• Maintain compliance with the Y’s Way to the Creative Curriculum goals and objectives.
• Arrange the learning environment to support learning content areas and ITERS and ECERS criteria.

• Design an environment that protects children’s Health and Safety at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that all Physical Hazards are always inaccessible to students.
• Create an environment that prevents challenging or disruptive behaviors through classroom strategies/designs, effective transitions and engaging activities.
• Use positive redirection to address inappropriate behaviors. Behavior charts cannot be displayed in Pre-K classrooms. No employee can use any form of corporal punishment as a method of discipline. Any violation will be grounds for automatic termination. Teachers are mandated reporters and are required by law to report the witnessing of inappropriate discipline or knowledge of child abuse.
• Provides adequate supervision as defined by BFTS, Quality Rated, and the YMCA of children during all activities (indoors & outdoors) as well as during all times when children are under their direct care. Any lack of supervision that results in an injury of a student can be grounds for immediate termination.
• Must obtain First Aid/CPR & 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation (BFTS) within 30 days of hire and maintain the certification.
• Follows and teaches health practices relating to Hand-washing and Basic Hygiene Practices.
• Utilizes developmentally appropriate feeding, toileting, cleaning and health care practices for infant and toddlers.
• Complete Incident Reports and to follow the required documentation steps and protocol in reporting the incident to the Directors and families immediately.

• Maintain assessment records to meet GOLD guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, following the schools Assessment Timeline for evaluation of each student development and organization of student portfolios.
• Provide updates regarding each student’s development during parent/teacher conferences. These conferences must be held at a minimum of two times per school term and any additional conferences, as required. These conferences shall contain positive and developmental information rather than reports of behavior related incidents and child’s areas of concerns.
• Conduct Brigance screenings for all students within the timelines given.