YOUR IMPACT
This role is crucial to the mission of the Y, a leading nonprofit focused on strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Early Childhood Lead Teacher will play a critical role in the successful operation of their designated YMCA classroom. This role develops and leads high-quality early childhood activities that foster each child’s growth—physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. The lead teacher provides a positive classroom experience for children and families, implements age-appropriate curriculum, and supports all age groups as needed within the program.

EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads and implements developmentally appropriate practices supporting a structured learning environment. Ensures high quality, developmental activities and establishes new interactive learning opportunities.
2. Writes and creates lesson plans that support widely held expectations and development.
3. Works hands-on inside the program equipping and leading the children and staff.
4. Helps lead and develop program new hires and volunteers. Helps review and evaluate staff performance as needed.
5. Develops and maintains relationships with enrolled students. Creates an attentive, nurturing environment for participants in which they can thrive.
6. May assist in the marketing and distribution of program information.
7. Helps operate program within pre-determined budget.
8. Assures compliance with state and local regulations as they relate to program areas. Ensures that YMCA program standards are met and safety procedures followed.
9. Provides for upkeep of assigned program facilities, supplies and equipment and ensures the physical environment is supportive for youth development.
10. Develops and maintains effective relationships with parents. Responds to all parent and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner. Leads parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
11. Helps maintain proper records such as incident reports, developmental screenings, and children’s files. Responsible for developmental screening and milestone assessments, e.g., Ages and Stages questionnaires and Teaching Strategies Gold.
12. Helps organize and deliver special events for parents and children.
13. Responsible for all cleaning and sanitizing of the classrooms and equipment. Maintains tidiness of all activity spaces and classrooms.
14. Provides an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation and other activities.
15. Provides active and constant supervision at all times including free play, structured learning and nap time.
16. Provides support to all classrooms and age-groups as needed.
17. Ensures a strong focus on character development and diversity, equity and inclusion throughout programming.
18. Reports damaged equipment or safety hazards promptly.
19. Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Rock River Valley.

SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION: 3 Positions
*All positions provide support to all age groups and classrooms based on staffing needs.

Position 1: YMCA Children's Learning Center
Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
$18.50-$21.50 per hour (includes $15.75 base rate and $2.75 grant-funded differential)
Wage differentials are contingent upon the continuation of funding received from the Smart Start Workforce Grant which is reviewed quarterly

Position 2: YMCA Children's Learning Center
Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
$18.50-$21.50 per hour (includes $15.75 base rate and $2.75 grant-funded differential)
Wage differentials are contingent upon the continuation of funding received from the Smart Start Workforce Grant which is reviewed quarterly

Position 3: YMCA Children's Learning Center
Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
$18.50-$21.50 per hour (includes $15.75 base rate and $2.75 grant-funded differential)
Wage differentials are contingent upon the continuation of funding received from the Smart Start Workforce Grant which is reviewed quarterly

Note: This position has a lead time of 6-8 weeks before placement.

Regardless of your primary classroom placement, this role will be expected to assist with all ages in the program.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum age of 19 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent required; or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must have completed 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 6 semester hours in courses directly related to childcare and/or development from birth to age six; or a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA); or 1 year of child development experience and 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 6 semester hours directly related to child care and/or development from birth to age six
• CPR, AED and First Aid Certifications required within 90 days
• Current Praesidium Academy trainings

Upon Hire:

• Medical Release form CFS 602 filled out by physician, including proof of negative result of 2-step TB test
• Must submit to a DCFS background check (Form CFS 718-B) and be fingerprinted (if necessary)
• A minimum of 3 written references
• Register with Gateways to Opportunity
• Ability to participate in a minimum of 15 clock hours of in-service training per calendar year
• Complete Mandated Reporter Training, as well as all required Gateways training per DCFS
• Training in ECERS/ITERS Quality Rating Scale trainings and assessments
• ExcelleRate Illinois Early Childhood Credential Level 3 or higher preferred
• Training in Creative Curriculum and Assessment preferred

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO WORKING AT THE Y! Employment benefit information available HERE.

The Y is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer more than just a job, rather the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.

The Y: We're for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility