Lead Teacher - PRE-K Counts Program / Waterford

YMCA of Greater Erie•Waterford, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

YMCA of Greater Erie is looking to hire a Lead Teacher for our PRE-K COUNTS program at our Waterford YMCA for the 2026-2027 school year. PRE-K COUNTS is a pre-kindergarten program, established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, that makes quality pre-kindergarten opportunities available to children and families across the commonwealth. This position is directly responsible for delivering a program that meets the highest Keystone STARS rating. As a Lead Teacher at the YMCA, you assist the child care program director in ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all children involved. Always alert, you provide proper supervision and discipline for the children as you "see, hear, direct, and assess." You are careful to act as a role model for the children at all times! Use your creativity to plan, develop and implement the curriculum with daily lesson plans and activities with the help of the Assistant Teacher. Use your organizational skills to assure compliance with federal, state and local regulations in your classroom. You are friendly and patient as you assist with the enrollment of new children and facilitate the onboarding of each child and his/her parents into the Y Program. As a key liaison between children, their parents, and the Child Care Program Director, you keep this good rapport going as you communicate with parents on a daily basis. Parents feel good about leaving their children in your loving and capable hands. With enthusiasm, you help implement lesson plans based on child development principles and keep the classroom clean and in order. You are also conscientious about keeping classroom records up to date and accurate and ensuring compliance with YMCA standards and government regulations. As someone who loves your job, you happily attend and participate in all family events and program activities.

Requirements

At least 18 years of age
BA or BS Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education with PreK - 4 Certification OR BA or BS Degree or higher in any related field w/30 ECE credits with PreK - 4 Certification OR Elementary Education Degree w/18 ECE credits with PreK Certification OR BA or BS Degree in any related field with PreK-4 Certification
Ability to pass a background check (FBI, Child Abuse, State Police, and NSOR)
Ability to pass a physical
Negative TB test
Acquire a minimum of twenty four (24) hours of training annually or as the individual professional plan requires.
Love for children
Understanding of child development and teaching strategies
Patient and able to remain calm when stressed
Enjoy reading and singing with children

Responsibilities

Deliver a program that meets the highest Keystone STARS rating.
Assist the child care program director in ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all children involved.
Provide proper supervision and discipline for the children.
Act as a role model for the children at all times.
Plan, develop and implement the curriculum with daily lesson plans and activities with the help of the Assistant Teacher.
Assure compliance with federal, state and local regulations in your classroom.
Assist with the enrollment of new children and facilitate the onboarding of each child and his/her parents into the Y Program.
Communicate with parents on a daily basis.
Implement lesson plans based on child development principles.
Keep the classroom clean and in order.
Keep classroom records up to date and accurate.
Ensure compliance with YMCA standards and government regulations.
Attend and participate in all family events and program activities.