Preschool Assistant Teacher

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 20,953 - 26,188; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Membership – full access to

Retirement Savings – 403(b)

Paid Sick Time

Professional Growth – training and dev

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is seeking an on-site GRSEPN Assistant Teacher to support planning and implementation of activities for 3-year-old preschoolers. This role runs from 10 AM to 3 PM, Monday–Friday, and involves floating across classrooms to cover breaks and planning time.

Responsibilities include engaging children, assisting with parent communication, preparing materials, and maintaining attendance records.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or CDA and at least one year of childcare center experience.
• Ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
• Willingness to work across multiple classrooms and cover breaks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and leading daily lesson plans.
• Actively engage with children in the classroom.
• Assist with daily parent communication.
• Prepare materials for daily activity.
• Maintain records of attendance, arrival, and departure times.
• Maintain supervision of children.
• Assist with parent‑teacher conferences as needed.
• Communicate efficiently with the classroom teaching team.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Classroom engagement

Education

Associate's degree or CDA

Job description

Position Summary

The GRSEPN Assistant Teacher will assist in the planning, development, and implementation of classroom activities for 3‑year‑old preschool programs. This position requires on‑site, face‑to‑face leadership from 10 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. The Assistant Teacher will serve as a float teacher, providing support across multiple classrooms as needed, including break coverage, teacher planning time support, and coverage during staff call‑outs.

Essential Functions

• Assist the Site Coordinator/Supervisor in developing and leading daily lesson plans.
• Actively engage with children in the classroom.
• Assist with daily parent communication.
• Prepare materials for daily activity.
• Maintain records of attendance, arrival, and departure times.
• Maintain supervision of children.
• Assist the Site Supervisor with parent‑teacher conferences as needed.
• Communicate efficiently with the classroom teaching team.

Compensation

$15.21–$19.01; Non‑Exempt; Part‑Time (up to 25 hours/week)

Part‑time Benefits

• Free YMCA Individual Membership – full access to facilities.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer contribution and a 403(b) plan.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Professional Growth – ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free, confidential resources and counseling.

Qualifications

Associate’s degree or CDA and at least one year of childcare center related experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles, and a desire to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Blood Borne Pathogen training.
• CPR Certification required within the first 60 days.
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days.
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT).
• Fingerprinting.
• DHS clearance.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.