Lead Early Childhood Teacher: Wolverine Room

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Child Development Director and in accordance with the mission and purpose of the Ann Arbor YMCA, the Lead Early Childhood Teacher is responsible for supervising early childhood participants and implementation of the program designed for early preschool (2 ½ -3 ½ years). The Lead Teacher will work directly with the Child Development Director to develop programs that are in accordance with the Department of Human Services licensing requirements, NAEYC Standards, YMCA core principles, HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) standard and Global Learning objectives. The Lead Teacher is responsible for direct leadership of a classroom, including but not limited to implementation of the curriculum; adaptations to curriculum to meet student needs; student observations, developmental assessments and reports; supervision of assigned teachers and/or aides; and parent communication. They must ensure a warm, nurturing, safe and loving environment, where self-concepts are enhanced, independence encouraged, and individuality respected. They are also responsible for providing a program that fosters children’s social, physical, spiritual and mental growth. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program and Classroom Management

1. Assist in creating and maintain a staff and program culture that promotes the YMCA’s mission, vision and core values.
2. Develop and implement program activities that provide youth with experiences in the developmental areas of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual.  
3. Plan all daily activities and weekly themes in a developmentally appropriate manner, making use of the resources available to you, including but not limited to: Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, CATCH, HEPA, etc. 
4. Ensure the program is creative and stimulating and developmentally and age-appropriate. Incorporate Character Development and 40 Developmental Assets into the daily program.
5. Be prepared. Provide assistant teachers with materials necessary to execute lesson plans. 
6. Lead, with assistant teachers, age appropriate activities: crafts, games, songs, stories, movement, etc. as required by the curriculums set in place. 
7. Provide opportunities for children to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating, and verbally communicating to solve interpersonal conflicts.
8. Encourage social, academic, and personal growth in youth.
9. Provide and ensure continuous supervision at all times, including during play and game activities with children, as to maintain order and discipline. 
10. Formulate, develop and coordinate a high-quality program to support core program goals in accordance with the Association’s strategic plan. 
11. Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for all people’s background by incorporating cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans.
12. Keep the safety of children as the priority; know how to recognize suspected child abuse and neglect and implementing reporting procedures, as required by the State of Michigan and the Ann Arbor YMCA. 
13. Prepare the classroom environment to enhance each participants’ learning through active exploration and interaction with adults, peers, and materials in learning centers such as dramatic play, blocks, science, math, games/puzzles, books, music, etc. as outlined by the curriculum and NAEYC.
14. Maintain program and classroom space per the Department of Human Services licensing requirements. 
15. Provide a clean, safe environment for classroom activities. Keep room, work areas, toys and equipment clean at all times.  

Parent Communication and Engagement

1. Develop and maintain open communication with all parents. 
2. Promote partnerships with families and communicate regularly via daily greetings and classroom publications. 
3. Plan and/or participate in all parent meetings, family activities, and YMCA family programming events.
4. Be a liaison and primary point of contact for parents and families. Provide excellent customer service through face to face contact, emails, phone calls and letters. Complete tours for prospective families. Build relationships with children and families. Regularly conducts both formal and informal program evaluations by capturing parent and child feedback. 

General Child Development Expectations

1. Under the direction of the Child Development Director, ensure that local, state and federal guidelines are followed for child care, including food safety, emergency procedures and health care, as well as NAEYC accreditation standards; maintain record keeping for children files according to YMCA, State Licensing, DHS, NAEYC and other accrediting/licensing agencies
2. Provide supervision of assistant teachers.
3. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with other lead teachers to develop and maintain the continuity and excellence of the early childhood program. 
4. Maintain appropriate adult/child ratio based on NAEYC standards.
5. Possess working knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and proper reporting procedures.
6. Participate in the development and support of center policies. 
7. Attend scheduled staff meetings and in-service trainings as required.
8. Ensures equal and fair treatment of others. Appropriately address and corrects behaviors and practices that don’t support inclusion. 
9. Encourages everyone to work well with each other, regardless of dimensions of diversity (i.e., gender and race).
10. Create strong morale, spirit and sense of belonging to the YMCA. Manage conflicts constructively so that disagreements lead to useful and productive discussions. Cooperate with others, knowing when to lead and when to follow. 
11. Communicate with Child Development Director any problems, concerns or suggestions regarding children, parents or the program. 
12. Perform all other duties as assigned by the Child Development Director. 
13. Cell phone calls/texts or social media activities will not be made or answered during classroom hours. 
14. Dress appropriately for teaching and contact with children and parents. Expectations of attire are set by the Regional Child Development Director.
15. Be in assigned area at all times while clocked in.

General YMCA Expectations

1. Support the mission, vision and goals of the Ann Arbor YMCA; promote character development and the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility 
2. Promotes to the value of diversity and the importance of being an inclusive organization. 
3. Effectively communicate in a pleasant and positive manner with children, families, YMCA members and YMCA staff members. 
4. Use abilities such as: attention to detail, multitasking, and strong oral, auditory and written communication skills to interact with adults and children daily. 
5. Model positive adult-to-child and adult-to-adult interactions and foster an atmosphere of respect for children and adults. 
6. Staff is expected to take advantage of opportunities for self-development and growth. Attend trainings and conferences as assigned. 
7. Other duties as assigned and/or needed.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS :

• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development-family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education is required.  
• At least one-year of experience working with preschool-age youth is required. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility, and an ability to work in a team-setting are required.  
• Must have a physical examination, including satisfactory TB test, six months prior to beginning work. 
• Must have certification in infant, child and adult CPR and First Aid.
• An interest and ability in developing and implementing creative programming with the goal of teaching YMCA core values is necessary.
• A patient, high-energy, and goal-oriented attitude is essential.  
• Ability to be responsive to the needs, wants, and interests of both the parents and youth enrolled in the Early Childhood Programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
2. Must be able to lift/assist in lifting an average size child up to 50 pounds.
3. Must be able to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
4. Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
5. Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
6. Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
7. Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency
8. Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.