Preschool Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Make a Difference Every Day – Preschool Assistant Teachers Needed!

At the Arthur J. Glatfelter YMCA, we're looking for someone who enjoys working with children and wants to help create a positive, supportive space for learning and play.

Full-Time Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm, 8am - 5pm or 8:30am - 5:30pm

If you're reliable, caring, and ready to be part of a team that strengthens community, we'd love to connect with you.

Perks include FREE YMCA access , program discounts, and FREE Child Watch while you work (up to 3 hours per day, when available).

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Provides direction for the children in the classroom, and implements program curriculum. Provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Implements purposeful programming and curriculum within the established guidelines and is prepared in advance of each lesson/activity.
2. Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities including ADA accommodations where appropriate. Follows all procedures and standards.
3. Actively guides children in developmentally appropriate appropriate play and routines.
4. Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child to provide feedback and create purposeful activities to meet the needs of the individual and group.
5. Provides positive descriptive feedback to prevent and redirect challenging behaviors.
6. Cultivates positive relationships, conducts parent conferences, and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.
7. Maintains program site and equipment in accordance with program standards.
8. Ensures a safe, healthy environment and is knowledgeable on effectively enacting safety/emergency procedures. Practices infection control procedures and proper hand washing.
9. Maintains required program records.
10. Accurately maintains required trainings to comply with licensing, program standards and YMCA policies.
11. Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training as required.
12. Effectively communicates with supervisor and co-workers to provide feedback for program improvement, concerns, etc.
13. Reports suspected abuse in accordance with the PA Child Protective Services Law and YMCA policy.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

• Engaging Community
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making
• Innovation
• Inclusion

QUALIFICATIONS:

As per Department of Human Services, an Assistant Group Supervisor shall have attained one of the following qualifications:

1. A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education or the human services field.
2. A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate, including 600 or more hours of secondary training described in section 3270.31(c) (relating to age and training).
3. A high school or general educational development certificate, 15 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education or the human services field and 1 year of documented experience with children.
4. A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and completion of a post-secondary training curriculum described in section 3270.31 (c).
5. A high school diploma or general educational development certificate and 2 years documented experience with children.

And,

1. Obtain a State Police, Child Abuse, NSOR and FBI certifications in addition to a negative Mantoux TB test and a physical.
2. Obtain Mandated Reporter training certification.
3. Must have or obtain Pediatric First Aide/CPR and AED certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physical Requirements
  • Light – exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Body Position and Movement (Seldom-1-10%, Occasionally-10-30%, Frequently 30-60%, Continuously 60-100% of the time)
  • Stationary Position - Seldom
  • Reaching - Occasionally
  • Move/Traverse - Frequently
  • Pulling/Pushing - Occasionally
  • Position self to move about with agility (upright or lower to the floor) - Occasionally
  • Lifting - Frequently
  • Ascend/Descend - Occasionally

• Visual Requirements
  • Requires good color, depth and field of vision (with or without correction) to distinguish like objects from one another, detect and visually follow moving objects
• Auditory (Hearing) Requirements
  • Ability to hear voices, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds to communicate, answer phones and respond to alarms/emergencies
• Hazardous Conditions/Materials Exposure
  • Frequent exposure to outdoor elements
  • Potential to come into contact with bodily fluids/blood

Obtain a State Police, Child Abuse, NSOR and/or FBI clearance in compliance with Child Protective Services Law and YMCA policy.