Early Learning Teacher Assistant (All Locations)

YMCA of Metro Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Early Learning Teacher Assistant assists in delivering a high-quality educational experience for children and families under the direction of the Center Director and Early Head Start Lead Teacher. The assistant implements the program in accordance with its goals and objectives and follows YMCA, Bright from the Start licensing, and Quality Rated requirements. Parent involvement is an important part of the program’s impact and success. The role supports children’s school readiness through developmentally appropriate instruction, learning activities, family-style meals, and an organized learning environment. It also involves maintaining children’s health and safety, supervising them during activities, supporting developmental assessments, communicating with families, engaging volunteers, and participating in professional development. Employees must pass the required pre-employment checks and be legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

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.
Obtain First Aid/CPR certification and the Bright from the Start 10-hour Health & Safety Orientation within 30 days of hire and maintain certification.
Pass a pre-employment background check, including criminal record check, drug screening, motor vehicle record check, and reference check, according to company policy.
Be legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
Follow mandated-reporter requirements, including reporting witnessed inappropriate discipline or knowledge of child abuse.
Do not use corporal punishment as a method of discipline.

Nice To Haves

NAEYC or Quality Rated experience.

Responsibilities

Develop lesson plans using curriculum goals and objectives to support early learning standards across language and literacy, math, science, social studies, creative arts, social and emotional development, and physical development.
Create activities related 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 the learning environment to support learning areas and ITERS and ECERS criteria.
Design and maintain an environment that protects children’s health and safety, including keeping physical hazards inaccessible to students.
Use classroom strategies, effective transitions, and engaging activities to prevent challenging or disruptive behavior, and use positive redirection when needed.
Provide adequate supervision of children during indoor and outdoor activities and whenever they are in the assistant’s 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 required documentation and reporting protocols, notifying directors and families immediately.
Maintain assessment records in accordance with GOLD guidelines, including following assessment timelines and organizing student portfolios.
Provide developmental updates during parent/teacher conferences, held at least twice per school term and additionally as required.
Conduct Brigance screenings for students within required timelines.
Learn about families’ cultures and structures through formal and informal strategies.
Work with families to plan activities and encourage family involvement in branch activities and events.
Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions to support program goals.
Reflect on and improve performance based on feedback from supervisors, peers, and families, and develop a staff development plan with supervision.
Use planning time to develop lesson plans and other tasks that support program goals.
Commit to an agreed work schedule and adjust hours with little notice when needed.
Attend required pre-service, in-service, and special training sessions.
Be prepared to meet Partnership Training Requirements, including Rollins Center and PCA Start for Life.
Perform other duties related to delivering a quality program.