EEC Certified Lead Teacher: Preschool

Join to apply for the EEC Certified Lead Teacher:
Preschool role at YMCA of the USA
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The West Suburban Y (WSY) is looking for a Lead Teacher with an EEC Lead Teacher Certification who is enthusiastic, creative, reliable and consistent. We want a team player who will bring flexibility, collaboration, creativity, initiative, and heart to everything they do. You will help cultivate a playful learning environment full of giggles, discovery, and creative teaching through play.

Preschool operates Monday–Friday from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm. We are looking for a full‑time Lead Teacher to cover the 8:45 am–5:45 pm shift Monday–Friday. During the summer months the program shifts to a camp setting.

Hourly rate: $28.00–$33.00, depending on education, experience, and certifications.

Benefits include a generous package with a 12% retirement contribution once vested.

This position supports the mission of the YMCA to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Lead Teacher provides direction for children in the classroom, implements the program curriculum, and creates a quality experience that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships among youth and families. At the end of the academic year the Lead Teacher transitions to a Camp Pikati leader for preschool‑aged children.

• Welcoming – we are open to all.
• Genuine – we value you and embrace individuality.
• Hopeful – we believe in you and your potential.
• Nurturing – we support your development toward full potential.
• Determined – we are on a relentless quest to strengthen our community.

• 3 credits in Child Development coursework, plus 9 credits in three different categories of study within Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum 9 months of previous experience if you hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum 18 months of previous experience if you have an Associate’s degree in a related field or a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field.
• Minimum 27 months of previous experience if you have an EEC certificate or an Associate’s degree in an unrelated field.
• Minimum 36 months of previous experience if you have a high school diploma.
• Child CPR, First Aid, AED certifications obtained within 30 days of hire date.
• EEC Lead Teacher Certification.
• Commitment to support and advance the organization’s anti‑racist work, including learning about and articulating our initiatives.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age‑appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities with other staff members.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Reliability and punctuality.
• Experience working with diverse populations and building authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Understanding that the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and ADA compliance.
• Flexibility, creativity, and vision.
• Good judgment, especially when making educational decisions.
• Maintaining a positive, calm, and enthusiastic attitude at all times.

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum for the school year.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate programming for Camp Pikati during summer.
• Nurture children through purposeful programming that builds achievement, belonging, and relationships.
• Supervise children, classroom, and activities, including ADA accommodations.
• Support our DEIB statement and practice equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion.
• Model early childhood best practices and positive classroom/d day camp management techniques.
• Conduct ongoing systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
• Cultivate positive relationships and conduct parent conferences.
• Maintain effective communication with parents, engage them as volunteers, and connect them to the YMCA.
• Maintain program site and equipment.
• Conduct child assessments and report outcomes to families.
• Maintain required program records.
• Attend and participate in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training, including summer camp training.
• Plan and implement…