Early Childhood- Preschool -Head Teacher- Full Time West Hartford, CT

Call to Action - Are you someone who is looking to work for a mission driven organization looking to make a BIG IMPACT! Do you want to use your skills, passion, and drive to EMPOWER  the lives of others? If this sounds like you or someone you know, then apply today!

Who we are: YWCA Hartford Region is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Our impact. YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural Women’s Organization in the World. For more than 150 years, YWCA Hartford has been a leading voice for women, girls, and families in our community. Every day, we work in partnership to create meaningful change and ensure racial and social justice and gender equity prevail for all.

What we do: We have served nearly 2,000 people annually, we are helping women and girls bridge the educational, career and financial gaps to prepare them for life-long stability and economic security.

Help make a difference and join our mission by securing an exciting career with YWCA Harford Region!

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours will fall within the hours of operation: 6:45 a.m. -5:45 pm

Provide a supportive, respectful, safe and healthy environment for children enrolled in YWCA Early Learning Centers. Plan and manage the delivery of age appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the children enrolled in the program.

Essential Functions/Position Responsibilities:

• Follow State and YWCA protocol for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect;
• Respond to all medical situations and initiate appropriate intervention to ensure the health and safety of all children;
• Receive, secure and dispense prescription medication in accordance with defined procedures and physician directives;
• Oversee the daily utilization of the YWCA Name to Face Accountability and Ratio sheets to ensure proper accountability and safety of children;
• Build and maintain positive relationships with all constitutes including but not limited to parents, students, staff and the local community;
• Monitor all aspects of the program and service delivery to ensure staffing levels, facility equipment and material used are fully compliant with State licensing requirements, NAEYC accreditation criteria and requirements, health and safety standards and CDC or School Readiness requirements where applicable;
• Observe and assess each child's developmental progress in all core areas of learning in collaboration with support staff.
• Plan and manage the delivery of age appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the children enrolled in the program;
• Identify children needing additional support and implement differentiated instruction and provide support staff with mentoring and coaching to implement developmentally appropriate lessons, activities and environments;
• Utilize the appropriate steps within the YWCA Positive Guidance Policy and work collaboratively with the support staff, Instructional Leader and family to work through the appropriate process to support children with additional needs.
• Implement all Inclusion Support Plans and coach and mentor support staff in implementing plans;
• Track, monitor and maintain program and participant records in accordance with State regulations and YWCA procedures. Ensure accurate completion, timely revision and secure retention of program records;
• Communicate curriculum objectives to support staff, model and coach support staff in the delivery of goals and provide timely feedback;
• Facilitate effective communication between and staff and parents in the resolution of issues or concerns;
• Identify developing issues among staff in the classroom and implement appropriate interventions to maintain, a safe and orderly environment;
• Participate in interviewing of staff when needed;
• Provide timely and accurate feedback to staff. Escalate ongoing performance concerns to the Site Manager;
• Ensure that the Site Manager is aware of program related issues that may impact service quality, accreditation, licensing, child safety, health and parent satisfaction;
• Model a degree of professional decorum and dress appropriate to the programs mission and values to ensure achievement of the same by staff members;
• Remain current with trends, development and best practices in the field of child care and early childhood education

Essential Functions/Position Responsibilities:

• Follow State and YWCA protocol for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect;
• Respond to all medical situations and initiate appropriate intervention to ensure the health and safety of all children;
• Receive, secure and dispense prescription medication in accordance with defined procedures and physician directives;
• Oversee the daily utilization of the YWCA Name to Face Accountability and Ratio sheets to ensure proper accountability and safety of children;
• Build and maintain positive relationships with all constitutes including but not limited to parents, students, staff and the local community;
• Monitor all aspects of the program and service delivery to ensure staffing levels, facility equipment and material used are fully compliant with State licensing requirements, NAEYC accreditation criteria and requirements, health and safety standards and CDC or School Readiness requirements where applicable;
• Observe and assess each child's developmental progress in all core areas of learning in collaboration with support staff.
• Plan and manage the delivery of age appropriate programs and activities that foster the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the children enrolled in the program;
• Identify children needing additional support and implement differentiated instruction and provide support staff with mentoring and coaching to implement developmentally appropriate lessons, activities and environments;
• Utilize the appropriate steps within the YWCA Positive Guidance Policy and work collaboratively with the support staff, Instructional Leader and family to work through the appropriate process to support children with additional needs.
• Implement all Inclusion Support Plans and coach and mentor support staff in implementing plans;
• Track, monitor and maintain program and participant records in accordance with State regulations and YWCA procedures. Ensure accurate completion, timely revision and secure retention of program records;
• Communicate curriculum objectives to support staff, model and coach support staff in the delivery of goals and provide timely feedback;
• Facilitate effective communication between and staff and parents in the resolution of issues or concerns;
• Identify developing issues among staff in the classroom and implement appropriate interventions to maintain, a safe and orderly environment;
• Participate in interviewing of staff when needed;
• Provide timely and accurate feedback to staff. Escalate ongoing performance concerns to the Site Manager;
• Ensure that the Site Manager is aware of program related issues that may impact service quality, accreditation, licensing, child safety, health and parent satisfaction;
• Model a degree of professional decorum and dress appropriate to the programs mission and values to ensure achievement of the same by staff members;
• Remain current with trends, development and best practices in the field of child care and early childhood education

Skills:

• Approachability: Listens; allows adequate time for interactions, creates a supportive communication environment;
• Assertiveness: Communicates directly and honestly, while demonstrating respect for others
• Collaboration and Delegation: Enlists active participation from others. Matches assignments to skills and ability of the, or to develop individual skill sets. Enlists the help of others in order to balance the workload and manage time;
• Composure: Responds to information in a self-controlled manner;
• Conflict Management: Identifies sources of conflict and methods of management, and chooses appropriate techniques to resolve issues;
• Customer Focus: Builds effective relationships with customers, identifies customer expectations, tries to see issues from their point of view; offers practical solutions to concerns.
• Diversity: Recognizes and values the diversity and uniqueness of others. Empathetically and respectfully accepts these differences and works to cooperatively and sincerely to optimize contributions of all individuals.
• Ethics and Integrity: Makes decisions and conducts self in a manner consistent with the organizations mission. Respects all individuals in the work environment and treats them as such. Demonstrates high personal standards of acceptance and openness to others. Accepts responsibility for their own actions.
• Influencing: Presents information, ideas and suggestions in a way that causes others to feel included and involved;
• Leading: Takes charge of a situation and inspires others to take action toward the accomplishment of a goal.
• Motivating Others: Recognizes others' internal motivators and adapts approach to best connect with each individual;
• Organizing: Puts issues, work tasks, paperwork in a logical order;
• Patience: Behaves in a manner that encourages and allows for interactive behavior from those less skilled, knowledgeable or experienced;
• Performance Management: Appropriately uses the concepts of both positive motivation and consequences to improve performance to a preferred level.
• Personal Accountability: Accepts responsibility for own actions, embraces experiences as learning opportunities.
• Results Oriented: Directs behavior to emphasize the achievement of organization goals and core values.
• Self-Development: Accepts responsibility for own continued education, learning, and growth.
• Team Building: Recognizes and builds on the strengths of others. Looks for ways to build positive relationships within the work team. Demonstrates trust and respect for others.
• Technical Skills: Possesses the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform required job elements to establish standards.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Assists Site Manager with supervision, training and evaluation of assistant teachers and volunteers.

Work Environment:

The job operates in an office setting as well as Early Childhood Education and School Age program settings. The employee will interact with children from 8 weeks to 5 years old on occasion.

Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position, typically working Monday through Friday; scheduled hours will vary between 6:45 AM and 6:15 PM.

Travel:

Depending on enrollment employees may be asked to provide support to other Early Learning Centers occasionally.

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, Sociology or Education or minimum of 12 Early Childhood College Credits

2. Minimum of 1 year of work experience in an educational setting with children.

3. Connecticut State Office of Early Childhood Head Teacher Certificate, or the ability/qualifications to obtain one.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum planning;

5. Strong knowledge of child development and psychology;6. CPR/First Aid Certified or the ability to obtain certification within the first two months of employment

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

1. Must be able to successfully pass both OEC and criminal background checks.

2. Physical required upon hire.

3. Must have own transportation, valid drivers license and proof of insurance.

Benefits:

A career with YWCA Hartford provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or special part-time (intermittent).

Benefits may include: apply now, and ask the recruiter for more details!

• Health Insurance - A group medical plan and group dental plan offers comprehensive coverage to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
• Long-term Disability - Eligible employees receive company-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Short-term Disability - All eligible employees may elect short-term disability to cover the employee for 12 weeks, if disabled. This is an employee-paid option.
• Life Insurance - A company-paid group life insurance plan is available to eligible employees.
• Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents.
• Time Off From Work - Eligible employees receive ten paid holidays per year, paid vacation and personal time, as well as paid sick time.
• Retirement Plan - All eligible employees are enrolled in a non-contributory pension plan after two years of employment.
• Childcare Discounts - Employees receive discounts on childcare offered at YWCA Hartford Region.

EOE/ AA