Head Start Preschool Teacher (4830)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Teacher will foster positive, nurturing relationships with children while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Creates daily classroom lesson plans in accordance with established curriculum. To support the needs of all children in the program, plans and implements the individualized lesson plans for the children in the classroom. Provides for a healthy and safe physical environment for children and integrates the parents into the educational program. Conducts regular health and safety environment checks to monitor classroom safety. Completes the required program documentation for children in the classroom, such as attendance reports, observations of children, screenings as needed. Conducts parent/teacher conferences and home visits twice a year. Records pertinent individual information about children in the group. Implements the Curriculum, CLASS, and School Readiness measures. Prepares and maintains necessary and mandated records including ongoing assessments, emergency cards and participates in a variety of staff and educational development activities. Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in the classrooms while building positive adult-child interactions and relationship among children and with families. Full understanding of licensing regulations (Title 22) and responsible for ensuring assigned location always operates in full compliance and ensure Head Start and Early Head Start Ratios and requirements are also met. Steps in as individual in charge when Site Director is not present during program hours, as assigned. Maintains close visual supervision of a group of assigned children, following ratios based on specific program. Provide oversight and guidance to Teacher Aide as assigned. Ensure no child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time. Support children’s social-emotional development through positive discipline strategies. Implement behavior management strategies through clear expectations, consistent routines, and using natural and logical consequences that encourage problem solving, promote conflict-resolution all in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing way for young children. Actively supports the YMCA’s commitment towards inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) where appropriate. Plan and implement program curriculum and activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, consistent with the YMCA values, curriculum and other established guidelines. Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains site and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance with Title 22 regulations, funding terms and conditions, and YMCA expectations. Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child and communicates with supervisor regarding child’s development. Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA and other resources as needed. Attends and participates in family events, program activities, staff meetings and training. Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies. Follows reporting procedures and proactively responds to situations to ensure a safe environment for all involved. Understands and complies with current federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies and procedures at all times. Maintains positive relationships with parents, other YMCA team members and community partners. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions. Follows Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) GIMS to ensure program compliance and collaborates with comprehensive service areas to support the needs of children and families in the program. Ensure all restroom and child abuse prevention policies and procedures are followed. Staff should never be alone with a group of children (with the exception of taking children to and from the restroom as outlined in YMCA policy). From time to time, you may be assigned as a 1:1 aide for a child who needs special attention or extra guidance. In such situations, your primary job responsibility will be to supervise and guide the child to whom you are assigned. However, if the child to whom you are assigned as a 1:1 aide does not come in on the assigned day, comes in late, or leaves early, team members will be expected to perform all of the regularly assigned job functions during such time, including site clean-up. Attend staff meetings and trainings, as required. Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management. Demonstrate the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility when working with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff. Demonstrate competencies in, and willingness to develop, in the Cause-Driven Leadership areas of Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.

Requirements

Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Science, or a related field.
Educational plan to complete BA degree in CDE/ECE.
Valid California Associate Teacher Permit or higher-level permits.
Valid Class C California Driver’s License.
Current EMSA (8-hour) First Aid certification.
Adult, Infant and Child CPR Certifications.
Preventative Health Practices (PHP) certification.
Ability to pass a fingerprint clearance and background check (including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications).
Minimum one year of paid staff/volunteer experience in a licensed childcare center serving children under 5 years old.
Current TB vaccination and physical exam.
Influenza vaccination (limited exceptions apply).
Pertussis vaccination.
Measles vaccination.
Ability to plan, lead and participate in activities.
Ability to lift 30-35lbs.

Nice To Haves

2 years of teaching experience.
Knowledge of Head Start performance standards.
Creative curriculum experience.
Bilingual English and Spanish (written and verbal).

Responsibilities

Foster positive, nurturing relationships with children.
Build cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers.
Create daily classroom lesson plans in accordance with established curriculum.
Plan and implement individualized lesson plans for children.
Provide a healthy and safe physical environment for children.
Integrate parents into the educational program.
Conduct regular health and safety environment checks.
Complete required program documentation (attendance reports, observations, screenings).
Conduct parent/teacher conferences and home visits twice a year.
Record pertinent individual information about children.
Implement the Curriculum, CLASS, and School Readiness measures.
Prepare and maintain necessary and mandated records (ongoing assessments, emergency cards).
Participate in staff and educational development activities.
Ensure compliance with licensing regulations (Title 22) and Head Start/Early Head Start Ratios and requirements.
Act as individual in charge when Site Director is not present, as assigned.
Maintain close visual supervision of assigned children, following ratios.
Provide oversight and guidance to Teacher Aides.
Ensure no child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child.
Support children’s social-emotional development through positive discipline strategies.
Implement behavior management strategies.
Support inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Plan and implement culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate program curriculum and activities.
Adhere to program standards including safety and cleanliness.
Maintain site and equipment.
Make ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
Communicate with supervisor regarding child’s development.
Cultivate positive relationships and maintain effective communication with parents.
Engage parents as volunteers and connect them to resources.
Attend and participate in family events, program activities, staff meetings and training.
Follow YMCA policies and procedures (medical, disciplinary, child abuse prevention, emergencies).
Follow reporting procedures and proactively respond to situations.
Comply with federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies.
Maintain positive relationships with parents, team members, and community partners.
Model relationship-building skills.
Follow LACOE GIMS for program compliance.
Collaborate with comprehensive service areas to support children and families.
Ensure all restroom and child abuse prevention policies and procedures are followed.
Perform regularly assigned job functions, including site clean-up, if a 1:1 aide assignment is not active.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
Demonstrate YMCA Core Values (Caring, Respect, Honesty, Responsibility).
Demonstrate competencies in Cause-Driven Leadership areas (Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness, Personal Growth).