Lead Teacher Early Learning - Infant/Toddler & Preschool at YMCA of Greater Springfield – Springfield, Massachusetts

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Education Center Director, the lead teacher is responsible for maintaining a warm, healthy environment to promote the total growth and well-being of the children in the program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead in the implementation of daily programs with attention to the needs of the children, including quality, health, safety, and cleanliness of environment beyond minimum regulations and requirements.
• Ensure the health and safety of all children and staff assigned by understanding and following the provisions in the Health Care Policy, Procedure Guide, and Staff Handbook, which also includes oral health programs.
• Inform the Director of Early Education immediately when social, mental health, educational or medical services appear necessary for any child in the classroom. Complete all required referral paperwork.
• Conduct any child guidance issues in a confidential manner and in strict compliance with established policy outlined in the Family Handbook and Staff Handbook.
• Work with other staff members in a positive and respectful manner to ensure coordination of all classrooms and programming.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor volunteers, substitutes, assistant teachers, and teachers.
• Maintain positive nurturing and responsive interactions with children as a group and on a one-to-one basis.
• Maintain positive open parent communications including individual or group meetings.
• Share all environmental maintenance duties with fellow staff members and inform Director immediately of equipment needs, maintenance needs or safety concerns.
• Research for new ideas and/or trainings to improve your creativity, your ability to understand child growth and development and enhancement of quality programming.
• Prepare and maintain all required records and reports in accordance with established procedures (Lesson Plan, Family Communication Documentation, Screenings, Observations, and Assessments).

• Allowing flexibility in your position and schedule to ensure quality care.
• Plan daily curriculum with teacher in accordance with all state and national requirements.
• Be prepared to participate in all children’s activities, which include but are not limited to classroom activities, field trips, outdoor play, swim, gym, and family or special organizational events, including volunteer events.
• Provide enriched educational opportunities for children by drawing on community resources for additional programming.
• Attend mandatory trainings and meetings.
• Complete all trainings required on IPDP (Individual Professional Development Plan) and all required EEC or NAEYC trainings and training hours as required.
• Know, understand, and implement Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations, along with new policies, procedures, and initiatives.
• Know, understand, and implement the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and guidelines.
• Know, understand, and implement the Creative Curriculum and Assessment protocol, and the ASQ Screening Tool.
• This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency and the Learning Center Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lead Teacher meeting EEC qualifications. (Those with current qualifications will be given preference).
• Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Regulation 7.09(c) for Lead Teacher Certification.
• AA/AS in Early Childhood Education OR BA/BS in Early Childhood Education –OR- state awarded preschool lead teacher certification with experience teaching preschool aged children–OR- BA/BS in related fields with at least six college courses in Early Childhood Education plus experience teaching preschool aged children.
• Comply with health requirements for staff according to EEC regulation 7.09(11).
• An ability to work with a diverse population and exhibit core YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Must have, or be willing to earn, and maintain First Aid and CPR training.