Early Learning Lead Teacher

YMCA of Metro Atlanta; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Metro Atlanta is seeking an Early Learning Teacher to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children from six weeks to three years old at the Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA Early Learning Center.

The role requires a CDA in Infant and Toddler Education, strong communication skills, and the ability to meet licensing requirements. The position emphasizes collaborative teaching, family engagement, and high‑quality early childhood experiences.

Qualifications

• CDA Infant and Toddler Education credential is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet safety, regulatory, and licensing requirements.
• Physical ability to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry objects or children up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and develop classroom associates and manage day‑to‑day operations.
• Plan and implement learning experiences to advance intellectual and physical development.
• Implement developmentally appropriate practices inclusive of children with disabilities.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local and program regulations and timelines.
• Conduct ongoing observations and document developmental milestones using child‑centered formats.
• Create organized, safe, and engaging learning environments both indoors and outdoors.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

CDA Infant and Toddler Credential

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta. Today, we’re looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state.

At the Y, we’re an association of like-minded people (staff, volunteers, and members), on the forefront of a movement to ensure that everyone – especially children – experience an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. In the course of a year, we provide more than 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre‑K with high-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning; give 58,000 youth and teens access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities; provide over 200,000 members with programs, services, and facilities to enjoy connection and maintain wellness regardless of age; and engage over 25,000 volunteers and donors from across Atlanta to share in the gift of supporting their communities.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Under the supervision of the Program Director the Early Learning Teacher always ensures the safety and well‑being of each child in the program by providing a safe and healthy environment. This co‑teaching position includes collaborative supervision in providing quality early childhood experiences for children ages six‑weeks to three‑years old.

RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

• Responsible for directly supervising and developing the classroom associates and managing the day‑to‑day operations in the classroom.
• Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children.
• Implement developmentally appropriate practices that are individualized, inclusive of children with disabilities, and age appropriate and integrated across all areas of a child’s development.
• Meet all job‑related federal, state, local and program regulations and timelines for compliance, implementation, and documentation.
• Meet performance standards, monitoring guidelines, licensure regulations, disabilities service requirements, and the completion of developmental assessments, parent conferences, and home visits.
• Actively participate in teaching activities by consistently moving around the learning environment both indoors and outdoors.
• Constant supervision of children during all activities (indoors & outdoors) as well as during all times when children are under their direct care.
• Re‑direct inappropriate behaviors in a positive manner that is supportive and non‑punitive.
• Respond quickly to a child in distress or a crying child by immediately calming them in a nurturing and appropriate manner.
• Utilize developmentally appropriate feeding, toileting, cleaning, and health care practices for children with special health care needs.
• Model appropriate language behaviors for children including grammatically correct verbal and written language usage.
• Prepare in advance lesson plans, materials and environment that are organized, interactive, appropriate, clean, safe, and hands on.
• Prepare, plan, and implement transition strategies for daily activities.
• Organizes classroom space into functional areas (i.e. interest centers) that are easily recognizable and clutter free.
• Conduct and record ongoing observations that are descriptive of the whole child and his/her developmental milestones rather than just exclusive reports of problem behaviors.
• Behave in a professional manner that is always open, cordial, family- and child-centered, and in the best interest of the program.
• Attend and participate in team, site, and agency required meetings, trainings, professional development, and continuing education.
• Ensure that site‑appropriate health, safety, classroom organization, classroom aesthetic and sanitation guidelines are followed.
• Follow all mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, unsafe conditions, repair needs, complaints, accidents, and injuries.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in Infant and Toddler Education or higher
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well‑being of children. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform physical requirements, including, but not limited to, kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry objects or children up to 50 lbs.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Ergonomic Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform physical requirements, including, but not limited to, kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry objects or children up to 50 lbs

Employment and Benefits package for this job posting is offered through the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Employment Requirement:

• Ability to pass a pre‑employment background check including Criminal Record check, Drug Screening, motor vehicle record (MVR) and reference check according to company policy.

• Must be legally eligible to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

This job posting is subject to change at any time.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. The opportunities to serve are vast, and we’re looking for like minded people, who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Location:

Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA Early Learning Center