Preschool Lead Teacher

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Classroom Lead Teacher at the Greater Waterbury YMCA creates a flexible early childhood classroom environment favorable to learning and personal growth; to motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for Kindergarten in accordance with each student’s ability as well as the Preschool Benchmark in Education; to establish good relationships with parents and other staff members.

1. Assumes responsibility for the health and safety of all children in the program.
2. Plans and teaches weekly lesson plans based on an emergent curriculum connected with CT ELDS.
3. Conducts daily observations based on CT DOTS and place weekly in child’s portfolio. Collect samples of work and document weekly in child’s individual portfolio.
4. Evaluates each student and discuss problem or progress with parents daily.
5. Coordinate special events in connection with weekly lesson plans.
6. Promotes and develops the 40 developmental assets into your classroom curriculum and daily activities.
7. Implement YMCA Character and Youth Development best practices into weekly plans.
8. Attends staff orientation and staff meetings as required.
9. Make referrals for support services as needed and advocates for children and families.
10. Organizes the classroom environment to support children’s socio-emotional development, promote learning through play and promote physical development. Using transition time as opportunities for learning.
11. Promotes learning in all areas of the classroom: Block Area; Dramatic Play, Manipulative Area; Literacy center, Computer, Sand and Water Area; Science Area, Art area and woodworking.
12. Provide Child Development Director with weekly classroom checklists
13. Participate in weekly swim lessons with the children. Teachers are required to get in the water with the children.
14. Follows all policies and procedures regarding abuse and neglect mandated reporting.
15. Keeps accurate and clearly written records for monthly Nutrition and School Readiness reports
16. Promotes team orientated attitude. Supervises assistant teacher and aides and delegates responsibilities.
17. Informs Child Development Director of any significant issues related to staff, children or facility.
18. Promote professionalism and growth and is an exemplary role model.
19. Leads and trains staff in carrying out daily center activities as well as special events.
20. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions. Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
21. Ensures all activities are conducted in compliance of state regulations, School Readiness requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards and YMCA policies. Ensures all licensing requirements, regulations and policies are in compliance. Including proper staff ratios and reporting requirements.
22. All other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Preferred: a minimum of a higher education degree (any degree level) in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education. Degreed professionals entering the early childhood education profession from another industry must meet the equivalent minimum qualification, which is currently 60 college credits with 30 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education.
• Required: Current Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Appropriate Early Childhood Certification Endorsement, Or A baccalaureate degree (BA) in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education from the OEC Approved College Listing, Or
• A Bachelor degree in any other field AND 12 credits or more in early childhood or child development from any college not listed on the approved list; AND successful completion of the Early Childhood Teacher Credential Individual Review Route; Or, The equivalency to a baccalaureate degree (BA) or higher in early childhood education, which is defined by NAEYC as a baccalaureate degree in any discipline with at least 36 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education, Or, Was identified on June 30, 2015 in the Registry at ladder level 11 or higher and employed at a State-funded program; therefore was grandfathered to meet the bachelor degree level staff education qualifications.
• Minimum age of 21.
• Prior to 1st day: completion of Child Abuse Prevention, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Blood borne Pathogens training.
• Knowledge of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS), and CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching Systems (CT DOTS).
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

Health, Vision, Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Professional Development Opportunities and Growth

Retirement