Early Learning Teacher Assistant (All Locations)

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Center Director and Early Head Start Lead Teacher, the Early Learning Teacher Assistant helps deliver a high-quality educational experience for children and families. The assistant implements the program according to its goals and objectives, with decisions guided by the YMCA, Bright from the Start licensing, and Quality Rated. Parent involvement is critical to the program’s impact and success. The role supports children’s school readiness through curriculum-based lesson planning and learning activities across language and literacy, math, science, social studies, creative arts, social-emotional development, and physical development. It also involves maintaining safe, supportive learning environments; supervising children; documenting development and incidents; engaging families and volunteers; and participating in professional development and required training. The position requires flexibility to meet an agreed-upon work schedule and adjust hours with little notice when needed.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.
Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
At least 2 years of experience working with children younger than five in a state-licensed center.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to pass a pre-employment background check, including criminal record check, drug screening, motor vehicle record check, and reference check, according to company policy.
Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
Must obtain First Aid/CPR and BFTS 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
Must meet Partnership Training Requirements, including Rollins Center and PCA Start for Life.
Must commit to an agreed-upon work schedule and be flexible to adjust hours with little notice when needed.

Nice To Haves

NAEYC or Quality Rated experience.

Responsibilities

Use curriculum goals and objectives to develop lesson plans that support early learning standards and learning across language/literacy, math, science, social studies, creative arts, social-emotional, and physical development.
Create activities connected to weekly studies and tailored to students’ interests and family knowledge.
Serve family-style meals, sit and eat with children, and engage them in conversation.
Maintain compliance with the Y’s Way to the Creative Curriculum goals and objectives.
Arrange learning environments to support learning content areas and ITERS and ECERS criteria.
Design and maintain an environment that protects children’s health and safety, including keeping physical hazards inaccessible.
Prevent challenging or disruptive behaviors through classroom strategies, environment design, effective transitions, and engaging activities; use positive redirection when needed.
Provide adequate supervision of children during indoor and outdoor activities and whenever they are under direct care.
Follow and teach hand-washing and basic hygiene practices, and use developmentally appropriate feeding, toileting, cleaning, and health-care practices for infants and toddlers.
Complete incident reports and follow documentation and reporting protocols, notifying directors and families immediately.
Maintain assessment records in accordance with GOLD guidelines, follow the assessment timeline, and organize student portfolios.
Update families on each student’s development during parent/teacher conferences, held at least twice per school term and additionally as required.
Conduct Brigance screenings for all students within required timelines.
Learn about families’ culture and structure using formal and informal strategies; work with families to plan activities and encourage their involvement in branch activities and events.
Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions to support program goals.
Evaluate and improve performance through ongoing reflection and feedback from supervisors, peers, and families.
Develop a staff development plan with the supervisor and use planning time to prepare lesson plans and support program goals.
Commit to an agreed-upon work schedule and adjust hours with little notice when needed.
Attend required pre-service, in-service, and special training sessions, and meet Partnership Training Requirements, including Rollins Center and PCA Start for Life.
Perform other duties related to delivery of a quality program.
Obtain First Aid/CPR and the BFTS 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
Report witnessed inappropriate discipline or knowledge of child abuse as a mandated reporter.