Preschool Assistant Instructor -Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA

Under the direction of the Program Director, with supervision of the classroom lead, the Assistant is responsible for assisting in the planning, development and delivery of providing a high–quality educational experience. This includes maintaining the physical appearance of the classroom to meet Licensing standards. The Assistant will comply with the YMCA's policies, procedures and philosophy of education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the lead in planning and conducting developmentally appropriate daily activities for children.
• Has a strong knowledge of all aspects of the daily routine, and anticipates the needs of the Lead and children.
• Assists the lead in guiding the children’s behavior and learning through active interaction and implementation of curriculum and lesson plans.
• Assists the lead in maintaining accurate records for potential licensing and funding agencies.
• Maintains a safe, clean, pleasant physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children.
• Appreciates the diversity of families and knows how to effectively and appropriately share with them information about their child when directed to do so by the Lead or Director.
• Knows and follows all emergency policies and procedures.
• Supervises children during indoor-outdoor activities, handwashing, and toileting.
• Assists Lead by meeting 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. Notes in daily health check report.
• Assists with conducting daily/weekly observation and assessments on children.
• Assists with conducting developmental assessments on children.
• Assists Lead with completion of all classroom records.
• Attends staff and parent meetings and contributes to the meeting.
• Attends staff training and YMCA special events.

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.

Education/ Experience Required:

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Minimum High School Diploma or GED, Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or Bachelors in related field; AND/OR equivalent experience, preferred.
• 45 DCF Training Hours preferred; or obtain within one-year of employment.
• Must have a minimum of one-year experience working in an early learning/preschool/childcare setting; licesened childcare experience a plus.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with children, parents and peers; demonstrate character, integrity, adaptability and patience in communicating with others.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Any additional mandatory or assigned trainings.

Certifications/Trainings Required:

• Must obtain within 30 days of employment and then maintain current certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
• 45 DCF Training Hours preferred; or obtain within one-year of employment
• Maintain other required certifications as stated in the training matrix.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Programs:

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 includes, but not limited to:

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and authorized work phone/smart device.
• Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to see, observe, and hear all participants, and make sound judgments and decisions.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• This position requires reliable transportation and willing to travel, if needed.
• This position may require availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Accountable for completion of assigned goals as measured by the number of people served, cause driven measures, service satisfaction scores, operating results, and supervisor evaluation of assigned duties. Accountable for attaining and exceeding all State licensing standards as well as Association Operating Guidelines.