Associate Teacher - Play and Learn Preschool - YMCA of Greater Long Beach

Position Summary:

Provides direction for the program participants, and implements program curriculum in the classroom. Provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on the YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring.

Essential Functions:

• Support in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate program for children and families to include environment, curriculum, materials, etc that meet NAEYC, ECERS, State and Licensing requirements to ensure quality.
• Model and promote positive behavior, attitude and language while developing positive conflict resolution skills among children, parents and staff. Maintains open lines of communication with parents, staff and administration.
• Knowledge of and experience with child development theory to create a culturally sensitive environment that is child oriented to promote childrens optimal development.
• Assist with maintaining childrens portfolios and making anecdotal observations and records.
• Present subject matter to students; utilizing variety of methods and techniques such as lecture, discussion and supervised role-play in a positive environment.
• Monitor the children, classroom, and their activities.
• Maintains communication with parents, and engages parents as volunteers.
• Attend all staff meetings, trainings and other YMCA functions as required by Supervisor.
• Maintain open lines of communication with participant, coaches, referee, staff and supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties:

• Ability to work with 18 months - 5 years old
• Must change diapers
• Basic computer skills
• Strong ability to work with children with challenging behaviors

YMCA Competencies (Leader):

Mission and Community Oriented: Accepts and demonstrates YMCA values. Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.

People Oriented: Seeks first to understand the other persons point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Results Oriented: Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.

Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Supports fundraising. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately.

Personal Development Oriented: Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process.

Qualifications:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older.
2. High school diploma or equivalent required.
3. 12 units of Childhood Education/Child Development units required including core course; Child Human Growth and Development, Child, Family & Community or Child and Family Relations; and Programs Curriculum at a WASC accredited institution. Child Dev. Associate (CDA) Credential; or CTC Approved training in place of the units is acceptable.
4. 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2 years. Experience supervising and providing instruction to staff required.
5. Current Pediatric CPR and First Aide Certification and Health & Safety Class required within first 3 months of employment.
6. Immunization record: Influenza or waiver, Tdap (Pertussis), and MMR(Measles)
7. CDSS Mandated Reported (AB1207) training required within first month of employment.
8. Criminal Clearance: including fingerprints
9. Health Exam Screening with Neg TB test and Negative Drug test screening.
10. Complete ALL required online training(s).Previous experience with diverse populations.

Working Conditions:

Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor facilities (e.g. childcare and recreational sites); exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials; work on slippery or uneven surfaces. Noise level is usually moderate.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer!