Assistant Childcare Director - Eastside

YMCA of Greater Erie; Harborcreek Township (Erie County); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability & life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Free YMCA membership

Discounted childcare fees

Flexible schedule

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Erie is seeking an Assistant Childcare Director for our Eastside YMCA location. The role focuses on managing day care and school‑age programs, ensuring safety and quality, and supporting staff and families in a community‑oriented environment.

The position includes engaging with families, maintaining regulatory compliance, and spending significant time in the classroom to guide activities and ensure smooth operations at the site.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent.
• Three or more years of related experience preferred, as a coordinator or supervisor of childcare programs.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic backgrounds.
• Complete required trainings within 30 days of hire (Mandated Reporter, etc.) and OSHA safety trainings.
• PA Act 33/34 clearances and YMCA program certifications may be required.
• TB test negative; ADA compliance understood.
• Love for children and strong safety focus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the day care and school age childcare programs at the assigned location.
• Ensure safety and high‑quality program standards and procedures.
• Develop strategies for children and support teachers in the classroom.
• Enroll new children and onboard parents into the YMCA program and maintain good rapport with families.
• Maintain relationships with licensing agencies, schools, parent groups, and other organizations.
• Spend a minimum of 15 hours per week in the classroom.
• Organize family events and ensure records comply with STARS, DHS, and YMCA standards.

Skills

People skills

Organizational skills

Childcare knowledge

CPR/First Aid

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The YMCA of Greater Erie is looking to hire an Assistant Childcare Director for our Eastside YMCA location. Are you passionate about motivating children and teachers to learn and grow? Are you organized and have a love for impacting the youth in our community? Do you want to have your weekends free? If so, please read on!

This position pays up to $20.12/hr depending on experience.

Some of the benefits that we offer, depending on your position and schedule, include

• health & dental insurance
• disability and life insurance
• a funded retirement plan
• paid holidays
• paid time off (PTO)
• a free YMCA membership
• discounted program fees including childcare
• and a flexible work schedule

WORK SCHEDULE

This typical schedule for this assistant childcare director position is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ASSISTANT CHILDCARE DIRECTOR

As an Assistant Childcare Director at one of our locations, you will manage, direct and coordinate the day care and/or school age childcare programs for the assigned location. You are conscientious about safety and ensure all high-quality program standards and procedures are followed. You support your employees by helping to develop strategies for the children in your care and provide an environment for learning.

You are friendly and patient as you actively enroll new children and facilitate the onboarding of each child and his/her parents into the Y Program along with the classroom teacher. As a key liaison between children, their parents, and the teachers, you keep this good rapport going as you communicate with parents on a daily basis. Parents feel good about leaving their children in your loving and capable hands. You will develop or maintain relationships with state child care licensing agencies, school administration, parent groups, and other organizations and agencies related to assigned programs. You will respond to all agency, parent, and community inquires and complaints in a timely manner. You will spend time in the classroom a minimum of 15 hours per week, as scheduled or needed. The Assistant Childcare Director is committed to making sure the site is successful and knows that meaningful relationships with children, families, and their teachers are important to success.

With enthusiasm, you will organize special events for parents. You are also conscientious about keeping records up to date and accurate in accordance with STARS and DHS requirements and ensuring compliance with YMCA standards and government regulations. As someone who loves your job, you happily attend and participate in all family events and program activities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ASSISTANT CHILDCARE SITE DIRECTOR

• At least 18 years of age
• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent, to qualify as a Group Supervisor under DHS
• Three or more years of related experience preferred, as a coordinator or supervisor of childcare programs

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: New Employee Orientation, Mandated Reporter, Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; Pediatric CPR/ First Aid/ AED; Bloodborne Pathogens, and other OSHA required trainings, Fire and Water Safety Training

• Fulfillment of PA-specific pre-hiring standards (Act 33/34, FBI Clearance, Pass Physical and Mantoux Tine test) and completion of YMCA program specific certifications (list).
• Negative TB test
• Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Know emergency procedures with an annual review
• Love for children

Are you a people person who especially enjoys interacting with children? Do you have an advanced understanding of child development and teaching strategies? Are you patient and able to remain calm when stressed? Do you enjoy reading and singing with children? If so, you might just be perfect for this Assistant Director position!

ABOUT YMCA OF GREATER ERIE

We are a nonprofit organization with a focus on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Our cause is to strengthen the community. We serve a diverse population of men, women, and children with an emphasis on families. Our membership is 21 million strong and spread across more than 2,600 Y associations nationwide. Here, locally, our four membership branches, outdoor recreation center, nine early and school-age education program centers, and community outreach programs serve more than 35,000.

We value our people. Working for us means you'll enjoy a great work-life balance and be treated with respect. We offer competitive wage and benefit packages for our employees. We truly believe that the YMCA is for all people, and that shows in our staffing. Here, you will be able to put your experiences, abilities, and energy to work as you impact the lives of those around you.

A medical examination, including drug testing, may be required after an offer of employment has been made. Evidence from a physician that a potential employee can physically perform the specified job requirements may be required. Act 33 and 34 Clearances are required. In some cases, an FBI clearance may be required. An employee is not permitted to begin work until he/she has mailed his/her clearance requests, and signed the Employee Disclosure Statement.In addition, persons hired to work directly in the licensed child care operations or one of its subsidiary programs, must have acceptable Act 151 clearances, Mantoux tine test, National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) clearance and other requirements as dictated by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).