Assistant Child Care Teacher

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YMCA Child Care Centers in Rockport & Rockland — Full-Time Assistant Child-Care Teacher

Do you have a passion for nurturing young minds, being creative, and helping children discover new things? This role supports youth development in a caring and inclusive environment at the Penobscot Bay YMCA.

What You'll Do

• Actively engage with children in daily classroom activities.
• Assist in planning and leading fun, age-appropriate lessons, with help from the Lead Teachers.
• Encourage creativity, curiosity, and positive social interactions.
• Provide gentle guidance and support to children as they grow and learn.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom space.
• Support child development through observations and evaluations.
• Work collaboratively with the teaching team and families.
• Contribute to maintaining a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals and promotes the potential of all youth.

Essential Functions

• Supervise the children, the classroom, and all program activities.
• Facilitate age-appropriate, educational lessons daily under the direction of the Child Care Teacher.
• Follow procedures and standards as established by law or the YMCA; make ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintain the program site, equipment, and records.
• Adhere to YMCA policies, DHHS licensing regulations, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Create a positive rapport with all youth.
• Provide appropriate guidance to children in need of redirection and relate well to children of all abilities.
• Assist in ongoing observations and evaluations of each child.
• Participate in basic housekeeping duties during classroom time.
• Attend program activities, staff meetings, and staff training; perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to provide safe and compassionate services, with a history of honest and lawful conduct.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications required.
• Child Abuse Prevention training required within 30 days of hire.
• Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting preferred.
• Work toward a CDA or Infant/Toddler Credential
• Ability to implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
• Experience with diverse populations; ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting up to 40 pounds multiple times each day
• Frequent twisting, bending, and kneeling
• Exposure to outdoor environment during all seasons
• Ability to see and hear well enough to respond to classroom needs with reasonable accommodations
• Ability to lead and participate in program activities