Head Preschool Teacher

Greater Burlington YMCA•Burlington, VT

8d•$57,283 - $63,011•Onsite

About The Position

The Greater Burlington YMCA is seeking a Head Preschool Teacher passionate about learning through play and ready to create a welcoming, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment for children. This role is essential in supporting the Y’s mission to foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The position offers a new-hire incentive of $1500, paid in installments over 18 months, and assistance with Early Childhood Education certifications. The schedule is Monday-Friday, with no weekends, at the Burlington location.

Requirements

Must be 20 years of age or older.
One year of experience working with children.
Must possess one of the following: A Vermont Early Childhood Career Level Ladder IIIIA or IIIIB Certificate, Bachelor’s degree with a major concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary or Special Education with a birth to age eight focus or Child and Family Services, or Bachelor’s degree in any field with a successful competition of thirty college credits with an early childhood or school age focus.
Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

A current Vermont Agency of Education teaching license with an endorsement in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, or Elementary Education. Early Childhood endorsement preferred.
Master’s degree in early childhood or a related field.
Full-time experience working with children or youth in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 5, 10, and 15+ years.
Coursework or certification in special education or behavioral intervention.
2+ years of direct full-time experience in special education or behavioral intervention.
Formal training, certification, or equivalent experience in trauma-informed care, basic specialized care, child development, social work, or a related field, including professional development or coursework in trauma-informed practices.
Completion of DEI-specific training, coursework, or certification, with a minimum of 40 hours or the equivalent of a college course.
Experience supervising or mentoring teachers for 2+ years.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with teaching teams to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s growth.
Participate in and lead weekly curriculum activities and daily classroom routines.
Supervise classroom staff if designated as the lead teacher.
Build respectful, supportive relationships with families and communicate regularly about their child’s development.
Participate in indoor and outdoor play while ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
Maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and proper care of materials and equipment.
Engage in swim lessons, gym time, and field trips as needed.
Monitor and record each child’s development, contributing to assessments and parent-teacher conferences.
Meet weekly with your teaching team to discuss plans and address classroom needs.
Support a calm rest time with quiet activities and emotional support for children.
Communicate effectively with your team and administration regarding any child concerns.
Ensure adherence to all Child Care Licensing regulations and documentation.
Complete a minimum of 18 hours of professional development per year as required.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold the YMCA core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Benefits

Competitive Pay – Starting pay for this position is between $27.54- $30.29/hour and based on your experience and qualifications with the opportunity for merit-based increases yearly.
We Invest in You- At the Y, we know early childhood educators are essential—and we treat them that way. We’ve recently made a significant investment to increase wages across our Early Childhood Programs as part of our ongoing commitment to valuing, retaining, and supporting our incredible teaching teams.
Professional Development – Enjoy 8 in-service days dedicated to training, team meetings, and curriculum planning.
Time Off – Get 15 paid vacation days, 6 paid holidays, and 3 weeks of Paid Time Off in your first year.
Balanced Workload – Dedicated planning time each week.
Y Perks – Free YMCA membership and discounts on programs and camps.
Comprehensive benefits, including: Health, dental, and free vision insurance
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Health Savings Account (HSA) option
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Participation in the YMCA Retirement Fund, a fully funded 6% employer contribution (once eligibility requirements are met), with additional voluntary savings options.
Growth Opportunities – Ongoing professional development and career advancement.
Loan Forgiveness – Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
The City is Our Playground – Our location in the heart of Burlington means children get hands-on learning experiences
Waitlist Priority: Priority access to YMCA early childhood and afterschool programs through our childcare waitlist system
$1500 new-hire incentive with $500 paid after six months of employment, $500 after 12 months, and $500 after 18 months.
Assistance with Early Childhood Education certifications.