Early Learning Program Infant Teacher

YWCA of Asheville•Asheville, NC

3d•$17 - $24

About The Position

The Early Learning Program Infant Teacher provides high-quality care and education for infants in a safe, nurturing, and responsive environment. The role supports each child's physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and sensory development through individualized care, meaningful interactions, and developmentally appropriate experiences. The teacher partners closely with families to support continuity between home and school and maintains compliance with North Carolina Child Care Licensing Regulations and YWCA of Asheville policies and procedures. The position includes responsive caregiving, infant supervision, feeding and daily care, classroom upkeep, developmental observation and documentation, family engagement, and collaboration with co-teachers, specialists, and early intervention providers when applicable. The teacher also participates in meetings, coaching, training, and YWCA events and initiatives.

Requirements

Knowledge of infant development and developmentally appropriate practices.
Understanding of safe sleep requirements and infant health and safety standards.
Ability to build nurturing relationships with infants and families.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent observation and documentation skills.
Ability to remain calm, patient, and flexible in a fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Basic computer skills, including email and child management software such as Procare.
EDU 119 plus six semester hours in early childhood coursework, or willingness to obtain.
Qualify as a Lead Teacher under North Carolina Child Care Licensing Regulations.
CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain upon hire.
Criminal background check clearance.
At least six months of experience working with infants or equivalent educational experience.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
Infant/Toddler Certificate or Infant/Toddler Credential.
Experience in a licensed infant classroom.
Familiarity with developmental assessment tools and North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development.

Responsibilities

Create a warm, nurturing, emotionally secure environment that promotes healthy attachment and trust.
Build positive, responsive relationships with each infant through consistent interactions and individualized care.
Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support cognitive, language, physical, sensory, and social-emotional development.
Follow each child's feeding, sleeping, and care schedule while gradually supporting age-appropriate routines.
Encourage developmental milestones and engage infants through songs, reading, sensory exploration, music, movement, and age-appropriate play.
Provide supervised floor play and exploration and model positive interactions and language.
Maintain active supervision, conduct health observations, follow licensing and health and safety requirements, and maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
Follow safe sleep practices and document required safe sleep checks.
Use proper handwashing, sanitation, universal precautions, and infection control procedures.
Report health, safety, or maintenance concerns; follow emergency procedures; and report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
Prepare and serve bottles and meals according to feeding plans and family instructions; properly handle breast milk, formula, and infant foods.
Support infants during feedings and maintain accurate feeding records.
Change diapers promptly, follow approved diapering and sanitation procedures, and support toilet learning readiness as appropriate.
Monitor infants for illness or developmental concerns and communicate observations to families and supervisors.
Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming classroom; sanitize classroom items and surfaces according to program schedules.
Ensure materials are safe and developmentally appropriate, rotate materials regularly, and maintain displays that reflect children's learning.
Observe and document developmental progress, maintain records and portfolios, and participate in screenings and ongoing assessments.
Develop individualized learning goals based on observations and assessment data and support transitions to the toddler classroom.
Build trusting relationships with families, communicate daily about care and development, conduct required conferences, and encourage family involvement.
Maintain confidentiality of child and family information.
Collaborate with co-teachers, specialists, and early intervention providers as applicable.
Participate in staff meetings, coaching, and professional development; maintain required certifications and annual training.
Demonstrate dependable attendance, punctuality, teamwork, and respectful communication, and support YWCA events, initiatives, and organizational goals.
Travel minimally for field trips, professional development, or community events.

Benefits

Free monthly childcare eligibility with the Early Learning Program, subject to availability.
Health insurance through MedCost.
Dental insurance through Delta Dental.
Life insurance through Mutual of Omaha.
Short-term disability through Mutual of Omaha.
Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
Retirement plan.
Free employee membership to the Fitness & Aquatics Center; family members may be added for $20 per month.
11 paid holidays per year, with flexibility for religious observances.
Paid time off (PTO).