Job Title: Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Associate Teacher 

Reports to: Early Childhood Director 

Status: Full Time, Hourly Position (40 hours per week) 

Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:00am-3:00pm) 

Compensation: Starting at $16.50 per hour  

*Eligible for Full Time Employee Benefits Package including full Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Flex Spending, YMCA Retirement Fund, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Time, Paid Holidays, and FREE YMCA Household Membership, 50% discount on Y Programs including childcare, summer camp, swim lessons, etc.*  

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POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This position serves as the Associate Teacher in a GSRP classroom.  The Associate Teacher provides instructional support in assisting with planning, developing and implementing lesson plans, goals and objectives. 

JOB DETAILS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Assist in the ongoing program evaluation using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) 

• Aid in creating meaningful program quality improvement goals and objectives.  

• Support in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the classroom program and child screening(s) & assessment(s). 

• Provide instruction and overall care for a specific group of children. 

• Collaborate with the teaching staff to create meaningful child development goals. 

• Help in the daily operation of the program including certain clerical and record keeping duties. 

• Assist in the development and implementation of interesting, stimulating, and challenging indoor and outdoor daily activities. 

• Establish positive relationships with parents, staff and the community. 

• Attend (with lead teacher) (2) home visits and (2) parent/teacher conferences(when applicable) annually for every child and family. 

• Participate in YMCA and Licensing guidelines for annual professional development and trainings and attend staff meetings as required. 

• Follow and implement the policies and procedures of the Great Start Readiness Program grant, MDHHS and State Licensing guidelines. 

• Work with additional YMCA staff (i.e. Early Childhood Director, CEO) to ensure policies and procedures are being followed. 

• Assure that children’s/family records remain confidential. 

• Ensure and carry out daily/weekly housekeeping chores and maintain a safe, clean, and appropriate physical environment, ensuring the safety of all children at all times and compliance with all State of Michigan Licensing requirements. 

• Interact with the children and families in a way which conveys respect and nurturing. 

• Support the social and emotional development of children. 

• It will be the associate teacher’s responsibility to play with children; this will often mean getting down on the floor to interact with them. 

• Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible. 

• Know appropriate emergency and safety procedures and complete incident and accident reports as necessary. 

• Be familiar with procedures of reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services 

• Perform other duties as assigned to support all aspects of the program and of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA in the spirit of teamwork. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Minimum: Associate’s degree in Early Childhood, Preschool Education, or Child Development OR a Valid Preschool Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). 

• Experience working with preschool children. 

• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. 

• Displays strong problem-solving skills as well as time management skills. 

• Experience using Creative Curriculum and TS Gold is preferred. 

• Knowledge/Implementation of Conscious Discipline preferred. 

• Must qualify under State of Michigan licensing to work in a childcare setting including obtaining 16-24 hours of training each licensing year. 

• Comprehensive Fingerprinting is required. 

• CPR and First Aid Certifications or ability to obtain them within 30 days of hire required. 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Apply on our website at https://www.ymcabaycity.org/careers/ or email cover letter and resume to Rachael England: rengland@ymcabaycity.org.