Summary:
This position is responsible for maintaining high-quality, developmentally appropriate standards as set forth by YWCA policies, Keystone Stars standards, NAEYC Accreditation criteria, and the ERS Assessment scores, and for regular management of DHS regulations. Additional duties may be added as standards for high quality are met or change.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Children need to be supervised by sight and sound, and all children need to be accounted for at all times. Frequent counts, visual checks, and constant attention to the needs of the children are required for this position.
-
Engage children in respectful, meaningful, and interactive conversations and experiences throughout the day.
-
Assess and document children’s development, interactions with others, and engagement with materials during classroom routines. Assess the children’s learning needs through documented observations, tailor the program to each child’s needs, consider each child’s cultural and socioeconomic background, and help each child understand their value in the group.
-
Encourage children’s independence and promote self-help activities such as cleaning up their areas, using materials and supplies appropriately, self-serving food and snacks, managing classroom cleaning and tidiness, caring for pets and plants, and other classroom duties to promote community. Provides children with experiences that build self-esteem, encourage self-reliance, and help each child function cooperatively in a group.
-
Must be trained to be a Mandated Reporter. Daily health checks are essential to monitor children’s health and safety. Any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or any inappropriate treatment of a child needs to be reported directly to Child Line as soon as possible.
-
Current knowledge of child development and appropriate early learning strategies for teaching and assessment is expected. Professional Development needs are the responsibility of each employee, with YWCA York providing support when available.
-
Interact with children and manage child behavior in a calm, empathetic, and supportive manner. Guiding children’s appropriate behavior is the expectation.
-
Maintain confidentiality regarding children’s names, medical information, disabilities, family situations, records, etc. This must be respected at all times.
-
Create a culture of acceptance and understanding with all children, co-workers, and families. Act as an advocate for children and families, and work with children to be activists for causes they are passionate about. Promote an anti-bias environment and challenge injustice wherever it may exist within programs.
-
Manages children with unique needs such as dual/English language learning, individualized plans due to special needs, allergies, homelessness, incarcerated parents, etc.
-
Develop professional relationships with children’s families; value their contributions to their children’s development and learning, and infuse their culture into the classroom curriculum. Confers with parents and communicates necessary information professionally.
-
Participate in community and family engagement events impacting our children and families. Attend all necessary staff meetings and in-service days.
-
All employees working with children are required to review all of the Guidance Manual and Family Handbook procedures and practice them as outlined.
-
Serves meals and refreshments to children in accordance with CACFP regulations.
-
Maintains personal cleanliness, including washing hands after using the toilet, nose wiping, and before preparing and/or serving lunches and snacks.
-
Performs general housekeeping tasks. Keeps the room environment and general spaces safe and clean. Reports maintenance and safety concerns to the Director, as needed.
-
Maintains a high level of job integrity and professionalism while adhering to the ethical code of conduct. Works professionally with all community members, co-workers, and other YWCA York departments.
-
Completes 24 hours of training annually as assigned, including fire safety, emergency safety, food program training, and water safety training. Maintains current Pediatric CPR and First Aid.
-
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
-
A high school diploma or GED is often the minimum requirement, plus 2,500 hours of experience working with children
-
Additional qualifications may include college credit hours in early childhood education or a related field, plus 2,500 hours of experience working with children.
YWCA York adheres to NAEYC and Pennsylvania Keystone Stars standards of teacher excellence and therefore requires and supports teachers as lifelong learners. These standards require all teachers to have specialized college-level coursework in best practices. Teachers will be expected to further their own education to become highly qualified professionals. YWCA York offers educational assistance, as funds are available, for CDA programs, professional workshops, and tuition reimbursement for post-secondary degrees.
Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
-
Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism
-
Excellent verbal communication skills
-
Excellent organizational skills
Competencies:
-
Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences
-
Works with integrity and ethically upholds organizational values.
-
Tactfully approaches others;
-
Reacts well under pressure;
-
Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
-
Observes safety and security procedures.
-
Adapts to changes in the work environment.
Physical Requirements:
-
Ability to lift, push, and/or pull up to 25-50 pounds.
-
Frequent standing, sitting, and walking
EEO Statement
YWCA York is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and seek employees who represent the clients and community we serve. Therefore, we strongly encourage women, people of color, multilingual individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
