Early Childhood Lead Teacher, Infants

Job Description

Job Description

Join the Greater Providence YMCA team at Mount Hope Child Care Center and help nurture children's earliest experiences through responsive, relationship-based infant care.

POSITION SUMMARY:

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 Lead Teacher is responsible for developing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports cognitive, social, and gross motor skill development, while adhering to RI Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS) and addressing individual child needs. This role includes supervising and evaluating classroom staff, maintaining compliance with DHS regulations, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment. The Lead Teacher also manages classroom supplies, snacks, and lesson plans, promotes healthy practices through HEPA standards, and fosters positive relationships with children, families, and staff.

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:

• Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that fosters cognitive, social, and gross motor skill development, aligning with RI Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS) and meeting individual child needs.
• Regularly supervise and evaluate staff, assessing their effectiveness and individual performance. Assist with training new classroom staff, volunteers or interns.
• Collaborate with the Child Care Director to implement program policies and procedures. Refer suspected cases of child abuse or special education needs as appropriate.
• Tailor the program to meet the unique needs, interests, abilities, and learning styles of each child, promoting diversity and inclusion.
• Stay informed about trends in child care and plan strategies to address emerging needs.
• Provide effective supervision and set clear, positive limits for children using reinforcement techniques, fostering group awareness and cooperation.
• Responsible for maintenance of equipment, supplies and snack inventory. Report needs to Child Care Director.

• Review and provide feedback on weekly lesson plans for indoor and outdoor activities as prepared by the Teacher, ensuring plans are accessible for review and aligned with RI Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS).
• Conduct and document ongoing assessments of each child’s progress, maintaining portfolios to reflect developmental milestones. Facilitate parent/teacher conferences twice a year.
• Follow all DHS licensing regulations for early childhood education and maintain necessary DHS records including daily attendance.
• Incorporate Y Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards into daily routines through positive role modeling.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom and workplace environment. Design and maintain engaging classroom learning centers in accordance with the ECERS Environmental Rating Scale.
• Conduct daily health checks, document findings, and follow all health, safety, and emergency protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment by building supportive relationships with children and families.
• Communicate professionally, modeling YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with the classroom staff to plan and participate in special events and parent/family-oriented activities, including and overall plan for parental involvement.
• Serve daily snacks/meals following child nutrition program guidelines and maintain related documentation.
• Serve as a positive role model by maintaining a professional appearance, ensuring clear identification as YMCA staff, and upholding a demeanor that positively represents the organization.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y’s work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.

Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as cultural competence.

Communication: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience. Understands and expertly utilizes current methods of communication.

Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Integrates logic, intuition, and sound judgment to analyze information to identify greatest opportunities, make sound decisions, and solve problems.

Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

Change Capacity: Leads self and others through change by navigating ambiguity appropriately and adapting well to new situations, obstacles, and opportunities.

Quality Results: Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner that provides evidenced-based quality experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess oral, auditory and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both children and adults.
• Positive role model with strong leadership, conflict resolution and diplomacy skills.
• Must be capable of directing the daily administrative, program related, and supervisory responsibilities of the classroom.
• Certifications required before working with children: Child Abuse Prevention Training, New Employee Orientation, all RI DHS and/or MA EEC requirements.
• Certifications required within the first 60 days of hire: YMCA approved basic lifesaving skills such as Pediatric CPR & First Aid, AED, and Emergency Oxygen, RI DHS Pre-service Health & Safety Training. This position must have the ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Prior to employment, a candidate for a Lead Teacher position must meet the RI DHS requirements for the role:

The individual holds an associate's degree or higher in a field related to Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services or Recreation from an accredited institution of higher education.

OR

The individual has completed twelve (12) credits in Early Childhood Education or field related to Early Childhood Education from an accredited institution of higher education and has at least three (3) months supervised experience in a licensed/approved Early Childhood Program.

OR

The individual holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and has one (1) year supervised experience in a licensed/approved Early Childhood Program.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Work is performed in a fast-paced environment. Position may occasionally require attending meetings at different off-site locations.

1. Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.

1. Visual acuity is required for reading computer screens and/or documents and making changes as necessary/required.

1. This job requires high levels of alertness and concentration. This position requires analytical abilities and multitasking to identify problems and recommend solutions.

1. This job requires accuracy and attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills, while maintaining high levels of initiative to work within deadlines.

1. Occasional stooping and bending with regular lifting of up to 20 pounds is required.

1. The incumbent must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time, and the ability to manipulate keyboards, telephone keypads, and writing utensils is essential.