Under the direction of the Child Care Director and in accordance with the mission and purpose of the Ann Arbor YMCA, the Lead Early Preschool Teacher is responsible for supervising early childhood participants and implementation of the program designed for toddler (18 months to 2 ½ years), early preschool (2 ½ -3 ½ years) or preschool (3 ½ to 5 years). The Lead Teacher will work directly with the Child Care Director to develop programs that are in accordance with the Department of Human Services licensing requirements, NAEYC Standards, YMCA core principles, HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) standard and Global Learning objectives. The Lead Teacher is responsible for direct leadership of a classroom, including but not limited to implementation of the curriculum; adaptations to curriculum to meet student needs; student observations, developmental assessments and reports; supervision of assigned teachers and/or aides; and parent communication. They must ensure a warm, nurturing, safe and loving environment, where self-concepts are enhanced, independence encouraged, and individuality respected. He/she is also responsible for providing a program that fosters children’s social, physical, spiritual and mental growth.
- Provide program supervision using positive guidance techniques.
- Provide supervision of assistant teachers.
- Promote Early Childhood Programs and maintain enrollment.
- Develop and implement program activities that provide youth with experiences in the developmental areas of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual.
- Prepare the classroom environment to enhance each participant’s learning through active exploration and interaction with adults, peers, and materials in learning centers such as dramatic play, blocks, science, math, games/puzzles, books, music, etc.
- Maintain program and classroom space per the Department of Human Services licensing requirements.
- Maintain appropriate adult/child ratio based on NAEYC standards.
- Possess working knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and proper reporting procedures.
- Participate in the development, support, and evaluation of center policies.
- Plan all daily activities and weekly themes in a developmentally appropriate manner.
- Communicate, maintain, and model expectations to all youth and staff.
- Provide opportunities for children to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating, and verbally communicating to solve interpersonal conflicts.
- Encourage social, academic, and personal growth in youth.
- Maintain individual records for all participants in a current and up to date status.
- Promote partnerships with families and communicate regularly via daily greetings and classroom publications.
- Attend scheduled staff meetings and in-service trainings as required.
- Plan and/or participate in all parent meetings, family activities, and YMCA family programming events.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by the Child Care Director.
- Read and respond to all YMCA communications including but not limited to email daily.
- At least one-year experience working with preschool-age youth is required.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility, and an ability to work in a team-setting are required.
- Must have a physical examination, including satisfactory TB test, six months prior to beginning work or 30 days after.
- An interest and ability in developing and implementing creative programming with the goal of teaching YMCA core values is necessary.
- A patient, high-energy, and goal-oriented attitude is essential.
- Ability to be responsive to the needs, wants, and interests of both the parents and youth enrolled in the Early Childhood Programs.
- Multi-lingual ability is preferred.
Hourly: $15.00 - $17.50