Childcare Curriculum Coordinator in Damariscotta, Maine at Keene Young Mens

Position Summary:

This position supports the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit to strengthen the community. This role is responsible for the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate, nature-based curriculum across all childcare programs. The Curriculum Coordinator works collaboratively with the Director of Youth Development and Childcare Coordinators to ensure curriculum consistency across our childcare programs, staff support, and program quality while maintaining compliance with all licensing regulations and YMCA standards

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with the Department Director to promote healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Serves as a role model for other staff and participants.
• Collaborates with the Department Director to create and lead staff and volunteers in executing campaigns, programs, classroom management, and/or curriculum for the advancement of the Y while ensuring best practices in child development, safety, licensing standards, and the Ys reputation and providing the highest level of customer service.
• Partners with Department Director to lead staff and/or volunteers in providing quality programming while adhering to all standards and child development best practices. Helps oversee the department's daily operations while adhering to budget objectives.
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Youth Development and Childcare Coordinator to align curriculum with program goals, enrollment needs, and daily operations. Ensures program staff are implementing developmentally appropriate nature-based curriculum that aligns with the YMCA values, Maine Early Learning and Development standards, and best practices in early childhood education. Implements onboarding programs for new staff and organizes regular training on child safety, curriculum development, and behavior management. Provides ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance staff skills in early childhood education.
• Ensures that curriculum is consistently implemented across all classrooms through modeling, coaching and ongoing staff support. Provides coaching and mentorship to staff in lesson planning, classroom management and intentional teaching. Develops and maintains curriculum resources, materials, and planning systems that are accessible, organized, and aligned with program goals.
• Supports staff in incorporating nature-based learning experiences, including outdoor exploration, sensory play, and environmental education into daily programming.
• Conducts regular classroom observations to ensure curriculum fidelity, engagement, and age-appropriate practices, providing feedback and action steps to staff.
• Monitors and supports the implementation of daily schedules and routines that reflect developmentally appropriate practice for all ages or children served.
• Assists the Department Director with staff and/or volunteer recruitment, communication, development, and management.
• Builds effective, authentic relationships with staff, participants, and community partners and connects them to the Y.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (continued):

• Assists the Department Director with staff and volunteers to ensure operations are safe and clean at all times.
• Assists in onboarding and training new staff in curriculum expectations, classroom practices, and program philosophy.
• Builds effective, authentic relationships with children and their guardians, using positive language and active listening to address concerns. Greets children and families warmly each day. Communicates positively with guardians when sharing behavior and developmental concerns.
• Works with the leadership team to ensure curriculum aligns with licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and YMCA policies.
• Collaborates with leadership to plan and implement family engagement opportunities that highlight curriculum, including newsletters, displays, and events.
• As a Mandated Reporter, recognizes signs of abuse or neglect and reports to supervisor and the appropriate authorities. Monitors children for signs of illness and document as per policy.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other tasks and projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the 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 stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, bend, and lift.
• The employee is also required to use hands and fingers to operate a standard computer keyboard or tablet; use a computer, mouse, printer, and copier and speak and hear using a telephone.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee will lift and/or move up to up to 60 pounds.
• The employee must have the ability to transition from indoor and outdoor environments and withstand drastic changes in temperature and weather.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed at a community campus that serves all people.
• Work is occasionally stressful and requires ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and successfully cope with the pressures which are related to the position.
• The campus facility is open early mornings, evenings, and weekends and the job may require attendance outside of regular business hours (9am – 5pm).
• The noise level can be all volumes.

Essential Experience and Skill Requirements:

• 5-7 years of experience in a related field.
• CPR and First Aid certification required within 60 days of hire.
• Team player, with superb interpersonal skills. An ability to work with co-workers and the public in a positive and friendly manner and resolve conflicts as needed.
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task, lead others, work independently, and adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.
• General computer skills with the ability to effectively learn and use new software.
• MRTQ certifications within 30 days of hire.

Essential Education Requirements:

• High School degree or GED, or equivalent experience.

Benefits:

• The health and wellness of our staff is paramount, so we foster a culture of healthy living amongst our team. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes retirement, health/dental, disability, 2X life insurance benefit, YMCA membership, and program discounts.