Early Childhood Educators

Description

Join the team at the Greater Burlington YMCA and you could qualify for a $1500 new-hire incentive with $500 paid after six months of employment, $500 after 12 months, and $500 after 18 months. We’ll also support you in achieving your Early Childhood Education certifications. Taking the next step in your career journey could be absolutely free!

The Y is seeking Early Childhood Educators who are passionate about learning through play and ready to create a welcoming, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment for children.

If you're looking for a job that matters where you’ll be inspired to make a difference every day, then we want to hear from you!

You'll feel good knowing your hard work supports the Y's mission to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Why You'll Love Working with Us:

Do you love working with children, creating a warm and nurturing space where they feel safe, loved, and ready to explore? At the Y, we value early childhood professionals and provide the support and benefits you deserve.

• Competitive Pay – Earn $22.44 to $30.29 per hour (depending on experience).
• Professional Development – Enjoy 8 in-service days dedicated to training, team meetings, and curriculum planning.
• Time Off – Get 7+ weeks of Paid Time Off each year.
• Balanced Workload – Dedicated planning time each week.
• Y Perks – Free YMCA membership and discounts on programs and camps.
• Healthcare Coverage – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plan options available)
• Loan Forgiveness – Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Retirement Savings - Generous employer contributions to your retirement fund help you achieve your future financial goals.
• Growth Opportunities – Ongoing professional development and career advancement support.

About Our Centers:

At the Greater Burlington YMCA, we offer a play-based, emergent curriculum driven by each child’s natural curiosity and interests. With locations in both Burlington and Winooski, our early childhood programs celebrate the unique identities of children and families, nurturing social-emotional growth through meaningful play and authentic connections. Here at the Y, we:

• Support Social / Emotional Growth
• Celebrate Diversity
• Foster Curiosity
• Strive to Inspire and be Inspired

What You'll Do:

• Develop and implement a curriculum that supports the growth of each child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Plan and lead weekly classroom activities and routines with your teaching team.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families and communicate regularly about their child’s development.
• Supervise and actively engage in all classroom, outdoor, and special activities like gym, swim, and field trips.
• Maintain accurate records, contribute to assessments, and support licensing requirements.
• Help keep the classroom safe, clean, and organized.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and family engagement events.
• Uphold the Y’s values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility in all interactions.
• Support a positive team culture and contribute to a nurturing, inclusive learning environment.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to be eligible for the starting rate of $22.44/hour. Additional compensation is determined based on experience and education aligned with the preferred qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 20 years of age or older.
• One year of experience working with children.
• Career Ladder Level Certificate 3A or 3B.
• Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprinting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Full-time experience working with children or youth in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 2, 5, 10, and 15+ years.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in any field.
• Coursework or certification in special education or behavioral intervention.
• 2+ years of direct full-time experience in special education or behavioral intervention.
• Formal training or certification experience in trauma-informed care, basic specialized care, or social work. Including completion of 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.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary for the role and are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our care. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ability to effectively supervise and ensure the safety of children by maintaining visual and auditory awareness in various environments, including classrooms, outdoor play areas, and other program spaces.
• Ability to lift, carry, or support children up to 35 pounds as needed for care, safety, and engagement.
• Ability to engage in active participation in all aspects of the program, including assisting with activities such as swimming and gym lessons. This may involve frequent movement, such as kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of children, including in emergency situations.