Assistant Child Care Teacher

Do you enjoy working with infant and toddler-aged children? Are you creative? Do you love to help children discover new things? We have an opening for a full-time year round infant and toddler assistant teacher at the Penobscot Bay YMCA Childcare Center. This is a daytime, Monday through Friday schedule.

The best benefit of working at the Y is the ability to make a difference in a child's life. At the Y, we embrace membership for all and believe that every child deserves a great start in life and it is our privilege to prepare children to successfully enter kindergarten.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Child Care Assistant Teacher at Penobscot Bay YMCA maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Supervises the children, classroom, and all program activities.
2. Facilitate age appropriate, educational lessons on a daily basis under the director of the Child Care Teacher.
3. Follows all procedures and standards as established by the law or the Y; makes ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintains the program site, equipment, and required program records.
4. Be aware of and adhere to all YMCA policies, DHHS licensing regulations, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
5. Creates a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth.
6. Provide appropriate guidance to children in need of redirection and relate well to children of all abilities.
7. Assists in ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
8. Participate in basic housekeeping duties during classroom time.
9. Attends and participates in program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds multiple times each day.
• Frequent twisting, bending, and kneeling.
• Exposure to the outdoor environment during all seasons
• With reasonable accommodations be able to see and hear well enough to respond to classroom needs.
• Control unsafe behavior if necessary.
• Ability to lead and participate in program activities.

BENEFITS:

• Paid Time-Off/PTO (80 hours in first year, 120 hours after first anniversary)
• Paid Holidays - 12 per year
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
• 50% discount on child care program fees
• 20% discount on other Y programming
• Generous Retirement program with 10% match from the Y after 2 years of service.
• Free annual family membership to both the Rockport and Rockland YMCA ($960/year value).
• This position currently receives a $275+ monthly BONUS from the State of Maine, in addition to base pay.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• Ability to provide safe and compassionate services, and a history of honest and lawful conduct.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications required.
• Child Abuse Prevention training required within 30 days of hire.
• Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting 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).