Preschool Assistant Teacher - Heart House

Whatcom Family YMCA; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership

Program discounts

Job summary

The YMCA Early Learning Center at Heart House in Bellingham, WA is hiring an Assistant Preschool Teacher. You will support the Lead Teacher in a 2.5–5 year old classroom, helping with learning through play, routines, and developmental activities.

The role is full-time (40 hours/week) with shifts 7:00–3:30 or 8:30–5:00, offering growth within a mission-driven organization and perks like a free YMCA membership and program discounts.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in groups (ages 2.5–5) is preferred.
• Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate activities.
• Strong communication with families and staff.
• Compliance with licensing and YMCA policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and implementing activities that support the YMCA curriculum.
• Supervise children to ensure safety at all times.
• Promote positive behavior and conflict resolution.
• Support individual learning styles and developmental needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized classroom environment.
• Build relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings.
• Comply with licensing and YMCA policies and procedures.

Skills

Experience with children

Positive behavior management

Team collaboration

Willingness to grow

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CPR/First Aid

Job description

Preschool Assistant Teacher - Heart House# Preschool Assistant Teacher - Heart HouseWhatcom Family YMCA - Bellingham, WA 98225## OverviewSalary Range$19.90 - $20.90 HourlyPosition TypeFull Time## Description## **Description**The YMCA Early Learning Center at Heart House (in the Puget Neighborhood) is searching for a new Assistant Preschool Teacher. This new teacher will work in our mixed classroom Preschool classroom with up to 20 children (ages 2.5 to 5 yrs old) and 3 teachers. This is a **full time position**, 40 hours per week, and will be full day shifts. Some of the shifts may be 7:00 am-3:30 pm and some of the shifts may be 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. We are seeking candidates who are warm and nurturing and love the preschool years. Applicants should have some experience working with children in groups (preferably ages 2-5) and are comfortable setting boundaries with young children and maintaining a classroom structure. Preschoolers need consistency and boundaries in their day, but they also need teachers who love spending time with them and engaging groups in interesting activities. In this role you will be working in a team setting, taking direction and learning from our Lead Preschool teacher. Applicants should be willing to grow and learn!If working with Preschoolers brings you joy, please review the job description below and apply!**POSITION SUMMARY:**The **Assistant Preschool Teacher** supports the Lead Teacher in creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children ages 2.5–5. You’ll help foster a sense of wonder, facilitate learning through play, and support children’s social, emotional, and physical development.This role is ideal for individuals passionate about early childhood education and looking to grow within a supportive, mission-driven organization.**Key Responsibilities*** Assist with planning and implementing classroom activities that support the YMCA’s early learning curriculum* Supervise children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times* Promote positive behavior management and conflict resolution skills* Support individual learning styles and developmental needs* Maintain a clean, organized, and engaging classroom environment* Build strong relationships with children, families, and co-workers* Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities* Comply with all licensing and YMCA policies and procedures**Why Work at the YMCA?*** Supportive team and positive work environment* Ongoing professional development and training* Opportunities for advancement within the YMCA* Employee perks including **free YMCA membership**, discounts on programs, and more* Be part of a meaningful mission to help children grow and thrive**OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:**Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status or any other statuses or identities. Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, eliminating disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of change makers for our country.## Qualifications**QUALIFICATIONS:**1. Must be 18 years of age or older and a high school graduate (or equivalent).2. Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting preferred.3. Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.4. Previous experience with diverse populations. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.5. Current CPR (Adult, Infant & Child) and First Aid, AED certifications.6. Complete Praesidium Child Abuse prevention training within 15 days of hire.7. STARS 30 Hour Childcare Basic Training (Must be completed within 3 months of hire date; this is an unpaid training with reimbursement available from WA State)8. Must have or be in the process of obtaining the following:\\_\\_\\_ Negative TB Test\\_\\_\\_ HIV/Bloodborne Pathogen training\\_\\_\\_ Safe Sleep\\_\\_\\_ MERIT ID account\\_\\_\\_ Food Handlers Card\\_\\_\\_ Cleared Portable Background Check from MERIT\\_\\_\\_ MMR Immunization Record9. Willingness to obtain the ECE initial certificate or equivalent (approximately 12 credits).**WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:**The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.* The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.* The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.* The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.* Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.* The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.