Youth Development Professional- Preschool

Youth Development Professional - Preschool

For over 90 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware has impacted thousands of lives across Delaware. We are the largest licensed provider of childcare in Delaware and the only statewide Boys & Girls Club in the nation. Each and everyday girls and boys are left to find their own recreation and companionship. An increasing number of kids are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know they have a place in their community where they can go. Clubs provide a safe haven for youth, allow them to meet with friends and be a part of positive peer groups. Club programs teach life skills, conflict resolution and focus on the development of character. Clubs also provide members with positive role models and a nurturing environment that help improve decision-making skills.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Child Care Director, the Preschool Teacher is responsible for assisting with the development and effective operation of a quality early care child care program that complies with current Delacare requirements.

Essential Functions

• Keep up to date with current research and best practice regarding child development, learning, and positive guidance strategies.
• Works closely with Childcare Director and other staff to effectively implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum using the Delaware Early Learning Foundations.
• Work with families to generate individual learning goals for children.
• Plan for the inclusion of all children using a variety of learning and guidance strategies.
• Work closely with the Childcare Director to establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to children.
• Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, simple experiments and field trips.
• Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students at varying needs and interests.
• Arrange indoor and outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, and safety.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems, and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by OCCL and Delaware Stars, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Work with parents and guardians to discuss their progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
• Regularly observe, evaluate and document children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• On a daily basis, provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
• Conduct a variety of assessments to determine children's developmental levels, needs, and potential.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Early Childhood Administrator certification is required.
• 20 years of age or older and ability to drive 8 passenger van (must have valid driver's license with less than 5 points)
• Must be able to pass an FBI clearance, State of Delaware Criminal History Background Check, National and State Sexual Abuse Registry check, and National and State Child Abuse Registry Check per Delacare regulations.
• First Aid/CPR Certification, or completion of certification within two months of date of hire.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Maintain a high energy level.
• Be comfortable working with children ages 3 to 5 years of age in varying levels of physical activity.
• Frequently lifts, carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds when preparing rooms for activities.
• Typically bends, stoops, walks and sometimes runs on a regular basis while interacting with children in various activities throughout the day.
• Ability to perform duties effectively under stressful conditions; ability to make decisions quickly and accurately with tact and impartiality
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Environmental and Working Conditions

Environmental and working conditions vary from indoors to outdoors; various meeting locations in and out of the Club; occasional statewide travel (e.g. training). Employees are subject to transfer from one department to another and from one club/school site to another as the needs of the organization change. Work hours: Monday- Friday, between the hours of 7:30am - 6:00pm PT.

Employee Benefits Incentives

Medical Benefits - Part-time employees who meet the following criteria are eligible for benefits per Affordable Care Act (ACA) Guidelines: 1 (one) year of service averaging 30 hours per week. Vision & Dental 1 (one) year of service averaging 25 hours per week.

• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program

Note: The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.