Child Development Center Assistant Teacher

Ann Arbor YMCA•Ann Arbor, MI

8d•$16 - $18

About The Position

Under the direction of the Child Development Site Director, the Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher and Director in creating a caring and safe environment for children and improving the quality of care and education. The role involves teamwork, supporting a quality educational program, and developing positive relationships with children and their parents. The Assistant Teacher observes and documents children’s interests and progress, shares that information with parents and staff, and implements developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests and needs under the direction of the Lead Teacher and Director. The position supports early childhood education activities in areas including art, music, movement, math, science, and language, with an emphasis on the YMCA curriculum, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC standards, and Great Start to Quality Standards. It also supports classroom routines, transitions, supervision, family communication, and children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The schedule is flexible within 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position requires physical activity including walking, standing, sitting on the floor, bending, leaning, and kneeling; assisting an average-size child weighing up to 50 pounds; and lifting and carrying food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience working with children and families.
Ability to learn and use YMCA-specific software within 14 days of hire.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility, and ability to work in a team setting.
Physical examination, including a satisfactory TB test, within six months prior to beginning work or within 30 days after beginning work.
Patient, high-energy, and goal-oriented attitude.
Ability to respond to the needs, wants, and interests of parents and youth enrolled in the Child Care programs.
Ability to walk, stand, and sit, including on the floor, for long periods.
Ability to assist an average-size child weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to remain alert while standing or sitting for several hours at a time.
Ability to bend, lean, kneel, and walk as needed.
Ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
Ability to view or enter data for long periods.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a NAEYC-accredited program.
CPR and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

Assist with developmentally appropriate early childhood education activities, including art, music, movement, math, science, and language, using the YMCA curriculum, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC standards, and Great Start to Quality Standards.
Actively participate in activities and help establish and maintain daily classroom routines, including food preparation and cleanup, following classroom schedules, naptime assistance, and toy cleaning.
Help provide a smooth daily transition from home to the child development center and warmly greet each child and adult upon arrival.
Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and organizing lessons and activities, including learning centers, small- and large-group activities, and large-motor movement activities.
Supervise activities to ensure children’s safety, complete incident or illness reports, and promptly communicate relevant information to the Director.
Communicate with children, maintain and model independent behaviors, and provide guidance that supports their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Encourage and model healthy eating habits, physical play, self-help skills, and good hygiene.
Interact with children using the Love and Logic behavior management model by Jim Fay.
Maintain frequent communication with parents through informal discussions and progress reports, including face-to-face interactions and phone calls when needed.
Model positive adult-to-child and adult-to-adult interactions and foster an atmosphere of respect for children and adults.
Follow center policies and state regulations.
Maintain working knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and proper reporting procedures.
Maintain a personal professional development plan to support continuous quality improvement.
Exemplify a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Attend scheduled staff meetings and read YMCA communications.
Perform other duties as needed.