HGN PRESCHOOL – TEACHERS ASSISTANT

HGN PRESCHOOL - TEACHERS ASSISTANT

Under the direction of the Site Director and Lead Teacher, Assistant Teachers are responsible for implementing activities for children in the classroom in our Early Learning Centers & Preschools Requires a flexible schedule. $12-16/hour Depending on experience. TIME COMMITMENT: Hours available are Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

DESCRIPTION

  • Assist the Lead Teacher in providing appropriate early childhood education experiences to promote the healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development of each child
  • Assist in planning and implementation of age appropriate curriculum to ensure quality early learning programming
  • Ensure compliance with all child care licensing standards as defined by the Iowa Department of Human Services
  • Ensure accurate and timely completion of all required written documentation (i.e., incident reports, daily grams, room journals, etc.)
  • Use positive guidance methods of discipline
  • Assist in daily communication with parents
  • Assist in maintaining a neat, organized classroom, taking responsibility for the upkeep of all educational materials
  • Eat all meals and snacks with children and assist in development of good nutrition habits
  • Help children establish good habits of toileting and personal hygiene
  • Assist in supervising activities at all times to ensure safety of each child
  • Attend parent meetings and other center activities when appropriate
  • Assist other child care staff in areas of individual teaching expertise
  • Complete 6 hours of professional development annually, 2 of which must be in a sponsored group setting (10 contact hours during the first year of employment, 4 of which must be in a sponsored group setting) with 1.5 hours related to CACFP
  • Provide guidance, support, and structure for program volunteers
  • Comply with all YMCA policies and procedures as outlined in the YMCA Employee Handbook
  • Be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the total work environment
  • This position may require various work hours and locations; individual must be able to work flexible hours
  • Perform all other duties as assigned
  • Be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 50 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must show evidence of security and judgement to handle crisis situations and the ability to work with parents and children in a classroom setting. A high school diploma or GED (or proof one is in progress) with 1 year of verifiable child care experience is required. 
  • Must be at least 18 years-old and complete the following trainings once hired: 
  • Pre-employment physical examination including testing for communicable diseases
  • TB skin test taken within 6 months prior to the start date completed by a licensed physician and repeated every 3 years
  • First Aid and CPR certification within the first year of employment, with First Aid being renewed every 3 years and CPR being renewed annually
  • Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter training within the first 6 months of employment and repeated annually
  • 1 hour of Universal Precautions and Infectious Disease Control training within the first 6 months of employment and repeated annually
  • Receive a negative report on the YMCA/Department of Human Services Non-Law Enforcement Records Check and the National Criminal History check; conducted every two years

COMPETENCIES:

  • Values: Demonstrate the YMCA’s core values every day you are at work: have compassion, instill ownership, empower people, and embrace diversity.
  • Dependability: Show up to work on time, every time.  Keep your commitments. Take responsibility for your own actions. Understand implications of your decisions.
  • Communication: Demonstrate the ability to treat others with respect and consideration when working with a variety of personalities and leadership styles. Listen and seek clarifications. Communicate internally and externally in a positive tone.
  • Professionalism: Take pride in how you present yourself. Motivate yourself to bring your best every day. Develop strategies to achieve organization goals.
  • Adaptability: Be able to multitask in a changing and evolving work environment to best fit the situation. Demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve the organization’s effectiveness.