Child Development Center Assistant Teacher

Ann Arbor YMCA • Ann Arbor, MI

7d

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 helps implement the educational program and develop positive relationships with children and their parents. The Assistant Teacher observes and documents children’s interests and progress and shares relevant information with parents and staff. Under the Lead Teacher’s and Director’s direction, the Assistant Teacher implements developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s interests and needs.

The position follows the YMCA curriculum, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC standards, and Great Start to Quality Standards. It includes classroom routines and activities, child supervision and safety, communication with families, and support for children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The Assistant Teacher follows center policies and state regulations, attends staff meetings, reads YMCA communications, and maintains a professional development plan. The schedule is flexible within the operating hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Salary is $15.84–$17.82 per hour, depending on experience.

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 starting.
• Patient, high-energy, 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 and 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; position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and communicate effectively.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to view and enter data for long periods.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing developmentally appropriate early childhood education activities, including art, music, movement, math, science, and language, using YMCA curriculum and applicable quality standards.
• Actively engage in classroom activities and help establish and maintain daily routines as assigned by the Lead Teacher.
• Assist with food preparation and cleanup, classroom schedules, naptime, and toy cleaning.
• Help ensure smooth daily transitions from home to the child development center and warmly greet children and adults upon arrival.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and organizing lessons and activities, including centers and small- and large-group activities and large-motor movement.
• Supervise activities to ensure children’s safety, complete incident or illness reports, and promptly communicate relevant information to the Director.
• Support and model independent behaviors and guide children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
• Encourage and model healthy eating, physical play, self-help skills, and good hygiene.
• Interact with children using the Love and Logic behavior management model by Jim Fay.
• Communicate frequently 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 professional development plan for continuous quality improvement.
• Exemplify commitment to diversity and inclusion, attend scheduled staff meetings, and read YMCA communications.
• Perform other duties as needed.

What This Job Offers

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