Roosevelt Y Club YMCA - Child Care Assistant Teacher

YMCA of Greater Cleveland Recruitment Team • Lakewood, OH

123d • $13 - $16

About The Position

The Child Care Assistant Teacher provides direct supervision of groups of children in licensed Before and Afterschool Enrichment or Early Learning programs. The role builds positive, nurturing relationships with children and cooperative relationships with parents and caregivers, supports the potential of youth, and facilitates peer connections.

The Assistant Teacher helps create safe, inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments; supports curriculum and weekly lesson plans; encourages children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development; and provides guidance and support for appropriate behavior. The role also contributes to observation and assessment, family and school relationships, health and safety, and professional practice. Employees must follow YMCA policies and mandated child abuse and neglect reporting procedures.

The position involves frequent movement and instruction throughout a shift, lifting or moving up to 50 pounds, and may include monitoring swimming in shallow water while wearing a bathing suit. Work may take place indoors or outdoors, with occasional travel to other program locations or offices. The work environment may be moderate to noisy, and outdoor work may involve inclement weather.

The YMCA of Greater Cleveland describes its vision as building strong kids, families, and communities through collaboration. Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits plan that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Plan, a YMCA-paid retirement contribution, and paid vacation. Employees also receive a free local YMCA membership and discounts on YMCA programs and at participating local businesses; part-time positions do not receive the childcare discount.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 18 years old.
• CPR and First Aid certification and safety training are required within 30 days of hire.
• Commitment to the YMCA mission and cause, and willingness to uphold its values and ethics.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Willingness and ability to serve as a mandated reporter for suspected child abuse and neglect and to follow the required reporting process.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, bending, instructing, and—in the described physical demands—monitoring swimming in shallow water while wearing a bathing suit.
• Ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels and receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Close visual acuity for tasks such as viewing a computer terminal and reading.
• Ability to express and exchange ideas verbally and convey detailed spoken instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience working with children in a licensed child care center.
• Previous experience working with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise groups of children in licensed Before and Afterschool Enrichment or Early Learning programs.
• Recognize and respond to differences in children’s personalities, development, learning styles, and cultures.
• Support developmentally appropriate learning environments and curriculum implementation.
• Provide an engaging, physically and emotionally safe, inclusive environment for play, exploration, and learning.
• Help children develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical motor skills and express feelings in socially acceptable ways.
• Support the diverse needs, abilities, and interests of program participants.
• Assist with collecting information about children’s growth, development, and learning, while maintaining confidentiality of observation and assessment information.
• Provide individual guidance and support and help children practice appropriate behaviors and communicate with others.
• Encourage active participation and develop relationships with children while respecting cultural and ability differences.
• Foster critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills, and maintain appropriate emotional and physical boundaries.
• Communicate respectfully with families and develop cooperative relationships with families and the school community.
• Follow health and safety rules and policies; recognize and maintain safe indoor and outdoor areas.
• Identify, document, and report suspected child abuse and neglect as required by law and YMCA procedures.
• Respond calmly and effectively to crises and support children’s nutritional needs and healthy eating practices.
• Model healthy lifestyle practices.
• Support and implement weekly program lesson plans.
• Promote professionalism and improve teaching and learning through appropriate work habits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Occasionally travel to other program locations or administration offices and maintain a clean, orderly work environment.

Benefits

• Free membership to a local YMCA.
• Discounts on YMCA programs, including childcare; part-time positions do not receive the childcare discount.
• Additional employee discounts at participating businesses in and around town.
• Eligible employees receive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Eligible employees receive an Employee Assistance Plan.
• Eligible employees receive a retirement contribution of 9% paid by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.
• Eligible employees receive paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED