ECEAP Lead Teacher - EWU

YMCA of The Inland Northwest•Cheney, WA

About The Position

The ECEAP Lead Teacher supports the YMCA’s mission to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role develops a safe, inclusive, and engaging program environment for children and families, and builds meaningful relationships through thoughtful conversations and regular updates on children’s development and learning. The Lead Teacher leads an assigned classroom, plans and delivers purposeful age-appropriate programming, observes and evaluates children, communicates with families, and maintains a safe, well-operating learning center. The position follows ECEAP, Washington State DCYF licensing, Early Achievers, YMCA, and applicable ADA standards. The teacher also participates in family and program activities, home visits, staff meetings, and training, and models the YMCA’s character development principles. The YMCA of the Inland Northwest describes its culture as inclusive and mission-driven, with a commitment to equity, social justice, cultural diversity, and creating a safe and welcoming place for all people.

Requirements

Must have or be willing to receive an Early Childhood Education Certificate within five years of hire.
Previous experience working with children in a developmental, diverse setting is required.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate program activities.
Before the first day: negative TB test completed within the past six months and MMR vaccination.
On the first day of hire: register in DCYF MERIT, complete Blood Borne Pathogens training, and apply for a portable background check.
Within 30 days of hire: complete Child Abuse Prevention training, First Aid/CPR certifications, obtain a Food Handlers Permit, and complete 30 Hours Basic Training or obtain an educational exemption.
Understand that the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Cultivate positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers, supporting each child’s learning and success.
Lead the assigned classroom by supervising, designing, engaging, and nurturing children in purposeful programming.
Follow ECEAP, Washington State DCYF licensing, Early Achievers, YMCA, ADA accommodation, procedural, and safety standards.
Conduct ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of individual children and support the maintenance of required program records.
Communicate with parents and caregivers about children’s needs and progress, conduct family conferences, and connect families to the Y.
Maintain the program site, equipment inventory, and required records to support a safe, well-operating learning center.
Attend and participate in family nights, family home visits, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
Demonstrate the YMCA’s character development principles of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility through interactions with staff, participants, and the public.

Benefits

Family YMCA membership with program discounts.
Paid sick time accruing at one hour for every 40 hours worked.
Medical and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical or dependent care, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance. Medical insurance starts at $45 per month for employee-only coverage.
10 paid holidays per year.
Paid vacation accruing at 7.66 hours per month, starting at 11 days per year.
Early Learning Child Care discounts: $400 per month for infant or toddler classrooms and $300 per month for preschool classrooms.
Up to two hours of Child Watch services per day, per child, while the employee is on site and working.
Flexible schedules.
Retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution after two years of service, subject to working at least 1,000 hours in each anniversary year.
Some listed training is free or YMCA-sponsored.