Assistant Preschool Teacher

South Shore YMCA; Norwell (MA); On-site; USD 23,419 - 26,174; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary YMCA membership

Childcare discount 25%

Camp discount 50%

Job summary

South Shore YMCA is seeking an Assistant Teacher at the Nature Science Center in Norwell, MA. You will guide young learners through nature-based exploration up to 80% of the day outdoors, rain or shine, contributing to meaningful early childhood experiences.

The role involves planning activities, engaging families, supervising volunteers, and supporting community outreach. Part-time hours, competitive hourly pay, and YMCA benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Currently attending high school, or a high school graduate.
• Experience working with children is preferred.
• Must pass EEC background check including fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing high-quality programs.
• Build relationships with families and members; engage new families.
• Keep facilities safe, clean, and well-maintained.
• Supervise volunteers.
• Support YMCA fundraising activities and community relationships.

Skills

Child engagement

Communication

Teamwork

Background check

Education

High school student or graduate

Job description

Overview

Trade the four walls of a traditional classroom for woods, trails, and open sky. At the South Shore YMCA's Nature Science Center in Norwell, MA, you'll support a preschool classroom built around real dirt, real weather, and real discovery. As an Assistant Teacher, you'll help guide young learners through nature-based exploration up to 80% of the day outdoors, rain or shine playing a key role in the kind of hands‑on, wonder-filled early childhood experience that stays with kids for life.

Your Role Will Include:

• Program Management: Assist in planning and executing high-quality programs that meet community needs and comply with EEC licensing regulations, NAEYC criteria, and MA Curriculum Frameworks, while helping provide reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities per EEC and ADA guidelines.
• Membership Engagement & Development: Build relationships with families and members; create a supportive community environment; assist in recruiting and engaging new families.
• Facility Management: Work with the Early Learning Director to keep program facilities and equipment safe, clean, well‑maintained, and attractive.
• Volunteer Development: Engage and assist in supervising volunteers.
• Community Involvement & Support: Assist with YMCA fundraising activities/events and collaborative relationships with community organizations.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Currently attending high school, or a high school graduate.
• Experience working with children is preferred.
• Ability to develop positive, effective working relationships with staff, children and families, volunteers, school administrators, members, community leaders, and other agencies critical to this position.
• Must pass background check: EEC background check including fingerprinting.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, employees are occasionally required to climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, stand for extended periods, walk, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear, and have visual acuity.
• Activities that may be required include climbing, running, swimming, other outdoor activities, and assisting with diapering.
• Assistants spend up to 80% of the day outdoors, in any weather, per this nature-based program.

Salary and Benefits:

• $17.00–$19.00 per hour.
• Sick time accrual: 1 hour per 30 hours worked.
• Complimentary individual YMCA membership.
• 25% discount on childcare.
• 50% discount on camp.

Location & Shift:

• South Shore Nature Science Center (SSNSC), Norwell, MA 02061.
• Part-time, MWF 8:00 AM–4:00 PM or TTH 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.