Senior Preschool Lead Instructor with Director Credential

Jimmy Jazz; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holidays and vacation

YMCA family membership

Retirement plan

Training and development

Job summary

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA in Tampa, FL seeks a Preschool Lead Instructor with Director's Credential to lead the preschool/VPK classroom and back up the Program Director, ensuring licensing compliance and high-quality curriculum. Responsibilities include staff mentorship, lesson planning aligned with Florida standards and YMCA framework, daily health checks, parent conferences, and program oversight.

The role requires CDA or higher, DCF credentials, and 1 year of early childhood

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Minimum Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or Bachelors in related field; AND/OR equivalent experience.
• 45 DCF Training Hours, current Florida DCF Director’s Credential and VPK Instructor Requirements
• Knowledge of state and local licensing requirements for early childhood education programs.
• Must have a minimum of one year’s experience working in an early learning/preschool/childcare setting; licensed childcare experience a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assists Program Director with providing leadership and guidance to assistant teachers and support staff in the classroom.
• Models best practices in early childhood education, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Mentor and coach staff to ensure high-quality teaching practices.
• Develop and deliver daily VPK lesson plans aligned with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards and the YMCA curriculum framework.
• Implement developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities that promote literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, motor development, and cognitive growth.
• Guides the children’s behavior and learning through active interaction and implementation of curriculum and lesson plans.
• Maintains accurate records for potential licensing and funding agencies.
• Maintains a safe, clean, pleasant physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children.
• Knows and follows all emergency policies and procedures.
• Supervises children during indoor-outdoor activities, handwashing, and toileting.
• Conducts parent conferences with individual parents at least twice yearly to report on child’s progress, discuss concerns with parents and act on those concerns.
• Greets each child and parent upon arrival.
• Visually scans each child upon arrival and checks for illness, disease, or any physical impairment.
• Conducts daily/weekly observations and assessments on children.
• Conducts developmental assessments on children.
• Ensures completion of all classroom records.
• Attends staff meetings and contributes to the meeting.
• Attends staff training and YMCA special events.
• Manages classroom supplies and materials, ensuring resources are available and properly maintained.
• Assists in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.
• Assists with interview and provide recommendations for staffing needs and ensure that staff qualifications meet regulatory requirements.
• Participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance the quality of the preschool experience for children and families.
• Ensures program compliance with applicable local, state and federal policies and regulations governing preschool operations.
• Additional duties as required and assigned by a supervisor to support the overall mission of the YMCA and to ensure the success of the program.

Job description

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA in Tampa, FL seeks a Preschool Lead Instructor with Director's Credential to lead the preschool/VPK classroom and back up the Program Director, ensuring licensing compliance and high-quality curriculum. Responsibilities include staff mentorship, lesson planning aligned with Florida standards and YMCA framework, daily health checks, parent conferences, and program oversight.

The role requires CDA or higher, DCF credentials, and 1 year of early childhood