Child Development Center Assistant Teacher - Part Time

Ann Arbor YMCA•Ann Arbor, MI

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher and Child Development Site Director in creating a caring, safe environment and improving the quality of children’s care and education. The role involves helping implement a quality early childhood education program, developing positive relationships with children and families, observing and documenting children’s interests and progress, and sharing relevant information with parents and staff. Under the direction of the Lead Teacher and Director, the Assistant Teacher implements developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests and needs. The position follows the Ann Arbor YMCA’s mission and uses the YMCA curriculum, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC standards, and Great Start to Quality Standards. The Assistant Teacher also contributes to classroom routines, family communication, children’s development and safety, and ongoing program quality.

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 before beginning work or within 30 days after beginning work.
Patient, high-energy, goal-oriented attitude and responsiveness to the needs, wants, and interests of parents and children enrolled in the Child Care programs.
Ability to walk, stand, and sit, including on the floor, for extended periods.
Ability to assist an average-size child weighing up to 50 pounds and lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to remain alert while standing or sitting for several hours; bend, lean, kneel, and walk as needed.
Ability to communicate effectively and respond visually, auditorily, and physically to critical situations and emergencies.
Ability to view or enter data for extended periods.
Availability for a flexible schedule between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and to work at least 15–20 hours per week.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist with developmentally appropriate early childhood education activities, including art, music, movement, math, science, and language.
Actively participate in classroom activities and help establish and maintain daily routines as assigned by the Lead Teacher.
Support food preparation and cleanup, classroom schedules, naptime, and toy cleaning.
Help ensure smooth transitions from home to the child development center and warmly greet children and adults upon arrival.
Assist the Lead Teacher with planning and organizing lessons, 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 information to the Director.
Support children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development by communicating, modeling independent behaviors, and offering guidance.
Encourage healthy eating, physical play, self-help skills, and good hygiene through positive modeling.
Interact with children using the Love and Logic behavior management model by Jim Fay.
Maintain regular communication with parents through informal discussions, progress reports, face-to-face interactions, and phone calls when needed.
Model positive adult-to-child and adult-to-adult interactions and foster respect for children and adults.
Follow center policies and state regulations, and maintain working knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and reporting procedures.
Maintain a personal professional development plan for continuous quality improvement.
Demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion, attend scheduled staff meetings, and read YMCA communications.
Perform other duties as needed.