Preschool Assistant Teacher

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA; Milford (CT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development and healthy living. As a Preschool Assistant Teacher, you will play a vital role in fostering the growth of young children, ensuring their safety, and supporting their social, physical, and mental development. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children while working in a collaborative and supportive environment. If you are passionate about early childhood education and are looking to contribute to a meaningful cause, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• Effective communication and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and leadership to preschool children aged 3-5.
• Ensure a safe and clean environment for all participants.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Organizational skills

Observant and safety-conscious

Ability to remain calm under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education

Child development or related major

Tools

CPR/First Aid certification

Child Abuse Prevention training

Bloodborne Pathogens training

Job description

A Career with a Cause:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. Our mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y strengthens the foundations of communities and families through our key areas of focus; youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility and our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community is achieved when we invest in our children, health, neighbors, and values.

Position Summary:

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Preschool Assistant Teacher at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA provides direct supervision and leadership to a group of children ages 3-5 years old. The Preschool Assistant Teacher is responsible for providing a program that fosters children’s social, physical, spiritual, and mental growth. The Preschool Assistant Teacher assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

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

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Models the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with members, colleagues, guests, volunteers, and vendors.
• Positively and proactively communicates with and responds to supervisor, staff, program participants, and parents.
• Ensures that program participants, program areas, and equipment are kept clean and safe.
• Maintains physical presence, remains alert at all times while on duty, maintains constant visual attention to program participants, remains aware of surroundings, and actively participates in all program activities.
• Prepares activities so children can learn about the world, explore interests, and develop talents.
• Assists and tutors children individually and in small groups under teacher’s guidance to help master material and reinforce learning outcomes.
• Develops schedules and routines to ensure children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime and overall positive outcomes.
• Watches for signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and brings problems to the attention of parents.
• Keeps records of the students’ progress, routines, and interests, and keeps parents informed about their child’s development.
• Knows, follows, and enforces all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including those for the prevention of child abuse and the rule of three.
• Ambassador of all YMCA programs with a focus on Child Care programs and member engagement that fosters loyalty among those we serve.
• Follows all Office of Early Childhood and YMCA Child Care procedures and guidelines including those pertaining to health and safety, supervision of children, child care discipline, policy drop-off/pick-up, attendance, forms, reports, and staff expectations as required by the YMCA, licensing, and the state health department.
• Knows, reviews, and enforces all emergency procedures and responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with YMCA policies, procedures, completes related reports as required.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and trainings.

Experience, Education, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or higher degree in early childhood education (ECE) or a related major (child development, elementary education, early childhood special education).
• Upon hire must have documentation of a physical examination and a TB Tine Test, to be repeated every two years.
• ECTC credential is awarded at two levels: Associate's Degree level with an endorsement(s) Infant/toddler/Preschool or Bachelor's Degree level with an endorsement(s) Infant/toddler/Preschool.
• Must submit Office of Early Childhood Background Check and fingerprinting forms within 30 days of hire.
• Remains calm and objective when under pressure and or when challenged by others or when working with children that display challenging behaviors.
• Effective communication skills necessary to inform, counsel, motivate, and support members.
• Must be observant, safety-conscious, and able to react calmly and quickly in an emergency, adaptable and flexible to the programs needs.
• Possesses organizational skills.

Trainings & Certifications:

• Must complete online New Employee Orientation, Child Abuse Prevention, Mandated Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazard Communication, and Employee Safety trainings prior to start of position.
• Connecticut Child Care CPR/First aid certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire and maintained.
• Administration of Medications certification is preferred.
• Continue professional development as outlined in the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood licensing requirements (complete hours of training equal to or greater than 20% of hours worked) as well as any/all training required by the YMCA and other accrediting agencies.