Head Teacher - Early Childhood

Job Description

Job Description

YMCA of Greater Hartford Job Description

Job Title: Head Teacher (Early Childhood)

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt                              Job Grade:  

Primary Department: Preschool or Infant/Toddler

Reports to: Childcare Coordinator

Revision Date: 10/31/2024                             Leadership Level: Leader

The YMCA of Greater Hartford is an association open to all committed to helping people reach their potential in spirit, mind, and body.  Our commitment is based on the belief that the purpose of this three-fold development is to live out the values of Caring, Honest, Respect and Responsibility.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the Supervision of the Child development Director and Childcare C, the Head Teacher is responsible for the overall operations of the classroom and provides a high quality of education and care for children.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Supervise daily classroom activities, including outdoor play activities using positive discipline techniques to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
2. Serve our diverse communities equitably and act with an inclusive, anti-racist lens at all times; promote a brave, respectful culture at the Y.
3. Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculums and submit timely forms and reports.
4. Responsible for planning and documenting program according to state guidelines.
5. Maintain open lines of communication with families and work with other staff members to ensure that the needs of individual children are met.
6. Attend and actively participate in supervision, multi-component, and staff meetings.
7. Assists in the preparation of materials, equipment, and information for the daily program, taking daily attendance and lunch count including reports for CACFP or USDA.
8. Use appropriate food handling, sanitation, and OSHA procedures at all times.
9. Maintain an Anecdotal Log for each child enrolled (Early Childhood Only).
10. Conduct monthly fire drills, lockdown drills and other emergencies.
11. Maintain classroom and storage materials in neat, orderly, and safe manner.
12. Displays and upholds YMCA core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Consistently demonstrates caring for the community we serve, for one another, and for the organization they are part of, and contributes to building trust, pride, and camaraderie. 
13. Maintain confidentiality of child and family information.
14. Supervising a group of children.
15. Assist in maintaining all center policies, OEC state regulations and NAEYC standards.
16. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Early Childhood Education, School Readiness and Connecticut Early Learning and Development standards. 
• Warm and nurturing personality.  
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus. 
• This position may be authorized to have access to protected Health Information (PHI) to perform specific job duties. 
• Must be able to work in Pre-school, possibly work with children with communicable diseases and disabilities.   
• Outdoor playground (possibly without handicapped access).  
• Personal qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. 
• DQSM preferred.

EDUCATION:

OEC requirements:

Option 1: CDA and twelve (12) credits in early childhood education or child development from a regionally accredited higher education institution and over not less than a nine (9) month span of time.

OR

ECE associate degree or ECTC associate or bachelor’s degree

OR

ECE bachelor’s or master’s degree

School Readiness Requirements for Early Childhood Only:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education related field required (a minimum of 12 early childhood credits). Connecticut Early Childhood Teacher credentials are required by June 1, 2025. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Early Childhood: Minimum of two years of early childhood experience required.
• At least one thousand and eighty (1,080) hours of documented supervised experience working with children in a program that serves children under the age of 6 years.     

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

• Ability to supervise children by sight and sound at all times, provide verbal direction.
• Ability to move around a room and quickly react to safety issues (i.e. climbing, aggressive behavior).
• Ability to remain calm, objective and respectful in potentially stressful
  situations (i.e. crying upset child, upset parent, or upset staff).
• Ability to move around the room to assist children and supervise children
  with daily activities, social interaction, physical and emotional needs, including sitting on the floor, kneeling, bending, crouching.
• Ability to lift young children and objects up to 40 lbs.

GHYMCA Employee Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $1,000 per year.

• Post University Tuition Discount: 50% off tuition.

• FREE YMCA Membership: Valued at $750 annually.

• Childcare Discounts: Available to eligible employees. Discounts vary based on full-time or part-time employment status.

• Program Discounts: Discounts on swim lessons, summer camp, sports, and other YMCA programs.

• Paid Time Off: Available to eligible employees.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Available to full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week. The YMCA covers 90% of employee medical premiums for eligible high-deductible health plans.

• Generous Retirement Savings: The YMCA contributes 12% of gross pay toward retirement for eligible full-time and part-time employees after two years of service, provided they work at least 1,000 hours each year (approximately 20 hours per week).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential counseling, services, and resources to support employees.

• FREE SNOO Rental: Free six-month SNOO rental for expecting parents working 20 or more hours per week.