Assistant Childcare Director

Decatur Family YMCA; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Decatur Family YMCA is seeking an Assistant Child Care Director to support the development and operations of the Child Development Center for ages 2-5, ensuring program goals are met. This role fosters a safe, engaging learning environment and collaborates with families and staff.

Responsibilities include implementing the Creative Curriculum under DCFS guidelines, supervising staff and classrooms, maintaining records, coordinating trainings, and serving as a backup for classroom coverage.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Meets educational and experience qualifications established by DCFS.
• Associate degree in early childhood education or comparable area of study preferred.
• DCFS Director licensing required, or applicant must have completed all educational requirements for the DCFS Director license.
• Experience working with children in a developmental setting.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate activities.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and build positive relationships.
• Willing to complete health physical and TB testing; training within 90 days.
• Completion of YMCA program-specific certifications.
• Understand ADA accessibility and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversees implementation of the Creative Curriculum within the established guidelines.
• Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities including ADA accommodations where appropriate.
• Follows all procedures and standards.
• Makes ongoing, systematic observations of teaching staff and children in the classroom setting.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents; engages families.
• Maintains required program records.
• Attend and participate in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Help with implementation and maintaining of records for attendance and the Food Program.
• Ensure all staff is up to date training (e.g., Gateway, praesidium, and any other training necessary for employment with the YMCA).
• Serve as the primary backup for classroom coverage; if a staff member calls off, you will be next in line to work in the childcare classroom.
• Support staff and maintain program operations when the Senior Childcare Director is unavailable, helping with guidance and coordination.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Relationship building

Plan & organize

Communication with families

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

DCFS Director licensing eligibility

Job description

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 Assistant Child Care Director at Decatur Family YMCA assists in the development and operations of the Child Development Center ages 2-5, ensuring the program meets its intended goals.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 and 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. Oversees implementation of the Creative Curriculum within the established guidelines.2. Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.3. Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities including ADA accommodations where appropriate. Follows all procedures and standards.4. Makes ongoing, systematic observations of teaching staff and children in the classroom setting.5. Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents and connects them to the YMCA.6. Maintains required program records.7. Attend and participate in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.8. Performs other duties as assigned.9. Help with implementation and maintaining of records for attendance and the Food Program.10. Ensure all staff is up to date training i.e. Gateway, praesidium, and any other training necessary for employment with the YMCA.11. Serve as the primary backup for classroom coverage; if a staff member calls off, you will be next in line to work in the childcare classroom.12. Support staff and maintain program operations when the Senior Childcare Director is unavailable, helping with guidance and coordination, but not handling disciplinary matters. In the event of an emergent situation, defer to the CEO.13. Other duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS:1. Must be at least 21 years of age.2. Meets educational and experience qualifications established by DCFS.3. Associate degree in early childhood education or comparable area of study preferred.4. DCFS Director licensing required, or applicant must have completed all educational requirements for the DCFS Director license.5. Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting required.6. Ability to plan, organize, and implement age appropriate and developmentally appropriate program activities.7. Previous experience with diverse populations. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.8. Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).9. Must complete health physical and TB testing.10. Training requirements within 90 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Recognition & Prevention; CPR; First Aid; AED; Mandated Reporting, Blood- borne Pathogen, Sexual harassment and Discrimination.11. Completion of YMCA program-specific certifications.WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to perform activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.