Early Childhood Center Lead Teacher

Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Early Childhood Director, the Early Childhood Teacher will plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum, per the YMCA philosophy of education, that is supportive of the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of all students enrolled in the early childhood daycare program.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborates with the Early Childhood Director to establish annual goals.
• Assists with the design and implementation of the classroom curriculum, within established guidelines to assure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• On a weekly basis, writes daily lesson/activity plans, per classroom curriculum. 
• On a daily basis, successfully manages the classroom and provides direct care and supervision of all children, in partnership with other teachers and providers.       
• Conducts student assessments; creates individualized plans.
• Works collaboratively with other teachers, assistant teachers, and others to manage the classroom. 
• Conducts ongoing observations and evaluations of each child in the classroom.
• Maintains all records, including attendance, incident reports, daily logs, parent sign-in/out book in compliance with federal, state, and other agency regulations, including Silver Bay HR.
• Models and enforces appropriate disciplinary techniques, as established by the policies of the Center.
• Conducts parent  conferences; maintains positive relationships and communications with parents; engages parents as volunteers. 
• Maintains classroom equipment; ensures in good working order and stored appropriately as part of a safe classroom environment.
• Adheres to all NYS OCFS, Department of Health, NAEYC, CDC, and Silver Bay YMCA standards, regulations, and expectations.
• Participates in required training and workshops to foster professional growth, per NYS OCFS  regulations of 30 hours every 2 years.
• Performs other duties, as requested.
• As a 24-hour operation, all staff may be asked to work weekends, evenings, night shifts and/or holidays to serve our members, guests, and program participants. 

Requirements

• Must hold an AA degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field; or a Child Development Associate credential; or another NYS-recognized credential.
• B.A. degree in Early Childhood or Childhood Education is preferred.
• Must hold a NY State Early Childhood Education Teacher certification.
• Must have a minimum of 2 years teaching experience in a group setting with preschool age children.
• Must possess knowledge and ability to relate to children and to develop professional and positive relationships with youth.·
• Must have knowledge and understanding of youth development principles.
• Must have a demonstrated knowledge of children, birth to age five, in development, curriculum, modern theories of early education, and healthy living. 
• Must have demonstrated experience in ensuring a safe, warm, and welcoming environment, while ensuring that policies and procedures are followed.
• Experience in supervision, curriculum implementation, classroom management and effective parental communication is preferred.
• Must hold or be able to obtain First Aid, CPR and AED certifications.
• Must complete Child Abuse Prevention and Health and Safety course from NYS OCFS within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of people representing all social and economic segments of the community.

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the ability to participate in a variety of physical activities; to bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach, walk, pull, push, sit, or stand for prolonged periods of time. Other physical requirements include the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear, and have visual acuity. Work may be performed both indoors and outdoors; may be required to travel to various locations.