Early Learning Support Specialist-Youth Development YMCA

YMC; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA in Ohio seeks a dedicated childcare professional to travel between early learning sites, providing classroom coverage and ensuring safe, developmentally appropriate environments.

You will support staff, implement routines and strategies, and assist with individualized supports for children with varying needs, collaborating with teams and families while complying with licensing and YMCA policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with young children preferred.
• Ability to travel between multiple YMCA locations.

Responsibilities

• Travel to YMCA locations as assigned based on staffing and priorities.
• Provide classroom coverage for vacancies, call-offs, leaves, and training.
• Maintain supportive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate environments.
• Assist with strategies, supports, routines, and behavior guidance.
• Observe and report children's strengths and needs to leadership.
• Collaborate with directors, teachers, families, and professionals.
• Follow YMCA policies and licensing requirements and complete trainings.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Travel flexibility

Education

High school diploma

Job description

• Base Pay $18.00 - $20.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Full Time
• Required Degree High school
• Travel 100%
• Manage Others No

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Travel to YMCA Early learning and child care program locations as assigned based on staffing and program priorities, remaining flexible as daily locations, schedules, and assignments may change based on operational needs.
• Provide classroom coverage for vacancies, call-offs, leaves, training, breaks, and other temporary staffing needs, including serving in required staff-to-child ratios when qualified and assigned.
• Maintain active supervision and support staff, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environments in accordance with established program routines, curriculum expectations, and practices across YMCA locations.
• When staffing coverage is not needed, provide additional classroom support for children with IEPs, individualized classroom support plans, or developmental, behavioral, sensory, social-emotional, or other identified needs, including individualized or one-on-one support when appropriate and within the scope of the YMCA role and program requirements.
• Assist teaching teams with established strategies, visual supports, routines, positive guidance, behavior and sensory supports, and other approved classroom plans, modeling relationship-based and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Observe and communicate relevant information regarding children's strengths, needs, responses to supports, and classroom strategies to program leadership and teaching teams, and complete related documentation as requested.
• Collaborate professionally with Child Care Directors, Family Life Directors, teachers, Association leadership, families, and outside professionals when appropriate and authorized.
• Follow all YMCA policies and procedures and applicable childcare licensing, health, safety, confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements, while maintaining required training, certifications, background checks, and professional development.
• Adhere to established association standards.
• This job description may not be all inclusive and employees are expected to perform all other duties as necessary or assigned/director by management. Job description and duties may be modified.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience working with young children in child care, preschool, school-age, or similar settings preferred.

Education or training in early childhood education, special education, behavioral support, or related fields preferred. CDA, RBT, or comparable credentials are a plus.

Ability to support children with varying developmental, behavioral, sensory, and social-emotional needs.

Strong communication, teamwork, and relationship-building skills.

Flexibility to work across different YMCA locations, classrooms, and age groups.

Reliable transportation and ability to travel between assigned locations.

Must meet applicable state child care licensing requirements, including background checks, training, and certifications.