Description

Part-Time Assistant Child Care Teacher

Penobscot Bay YMCA | Rockport, Maine

Love Working with Kids? Come Grow With Us!

Some of the most important work happens on the floor building block towers, reading favorite stories, helping a child learn something new, exploring outside, making wonderfully messy art, and celebrating the little moments that are actually very big moments.

At the Penobscot Bay YMCA, we're looking for a Part-Time Assistant Child Care Teacher to join our early childhood team in Rockport.

You'll work alongside experienced Lead Teachers to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging classroom where children can learn, play, build confidence, and thrive. If you genuinely enjoy working with children and are looking for meaningful part-time work, we'd love to meet you.

Our child care centers are open Monday-Friday during daytime hours, with no nights or weekends. This position also has the potential to grow into a full-time role.

A Part-Time Job with Purpose — and Some Great Perks!

As a part-time member of our child care team, you'll receive:

• $500 Sign-On Bonus — paid in two installments: $250 after 3 months and $250 after 6 months of employment
• $240+ Monthly State of Maine Child Care Workforce Stipend — currently available in addition to your regular hourly wage
• FREE Individual YMCA Membership — a $696 annual value
• Maine Paid Sick Leave
• Monday-Friday Daytime Schedule — no nights or weekends
• Potential Opportunity to Grow into a Full-Time Role

Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to do work that matters while being part of a team committed to helping children learn, grow, and thrive.

What You'll Do

As an Assistant Child Care Teacher, you'll support our licensed early childhood program and be part of the everyday moments that help children learn and grow. You'll:

• Supervise and engage with children during classroom activities
• Support educational lessons planned by Lead Teachers
• Create a welcoming, developmentally appropriate environment
• Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, DHHS regulations, and safety standards
• Assist with observations, record-keeping, and day-to-day classroom duties
• Build positive connections with children, families, and fellow staff
• Float to cover other classrooms when necessary

Requirements

Who We're Looking For

You don't have to know everything on day one. We're looking for someone who brings creativity, reliability, a genuine interest in working with children, and a willingness to learn and grow as part of a mission-driven team.

Candidates must meet the following qualifications and requirements:

• At least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to provide safe and compassionate services, and a history of honest and lawful conduct
• Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting is preferred
• Work towards a CDA or Infant/Toddler Credential
• Ability to implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities
• Previous 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)
• Completion of all YMCA required training during the onboarding process, including Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
• Valid Certification for Adult/Pediatric CPR, First Aid, AED, or equivalent (such as Wilderness First Aid or Basic Life Support) or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire (certification is provided by the Y)

Essential Functions

As an Assistant Child Care Teacher, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for the children in our care.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervise the children, classroom, and all program activities.
• Facilitate daily age-appropriate, educational lessons, with guidance from Lead Teachers and Child Care Director.
• Follow all procedures and standards as established by the law or the Y; make ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintain the program site, equipment, and required program records.
• Be aware of and adhere to all YMCA policies, DHHS licensing regulations, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Create a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth.
• Provide appropriate guidance to children in need of redirection and relate well to children of all abilities.
• Assist in ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
• Participate in basic housekeeping duties during classroom time.
• Attend and participate in program activities, staff meetings, and ongoing staff training.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including floating to cover other classrooms when needed.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Working with young children is active, energetic, and rewarding. This position requires someone who is comfortable participating in all aspects of a busy early childhood classroom.

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

This position requires the ability to:

• Lift up to 40 pounds multiple times each day
• Perform frequent twisting, bending, and kneeling
• With reasonable accommodations, see and hear well enough to respond to classroom needs
• Have sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and supervise activities in various indoor and outdoor locations
• Manage and de-escalate unsafe behavior if necessary
• Work in outdoor environments during all seasons
• Work in an environment where noise is usually moderate, with occasional exposure to decibel levels between 85-110 dBA

Every Child Deserves Someone Who Believes in Them.

Early childhood teachers do so much more than supervise a classroom. They help children feel safe, capable, curious, and confident—and those experiences matter.

If you're looking for meaningful part-time work, a Monday-Friday daytime schedule, a free YMCA membership, and the opportunity to make a difference in your community, we'd love to welcome you to the Penobscot Bay YMCA team.

Apply today and help shape tomorrow—one child at a time.