Infant/Toddler Teacher @ the Y - Antioch/Pittsburg

Position Summary

Our Infant/Toddler Teachers create warm, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments where all children can grow. Working in alignment with YMCA of the East Bay goals and required federal and state regulations—including Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Education guidelines, CACFP requirements, and Community Care Licensing—Teachers support children’s learning through the Creative Curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Plan engaging activities, observe and assess children, and use assessment data to individualize instruction.
• Partner with families to support positive learning experiences and promote each child’s developmental progress.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current Child Development permit at the Associate Teacher level or above.
• Successful completion of 12 or more semester units in Early Childhood Education, for Early Head Start, completion of 6 units of infant/toddler development with grade C or above.
• Two years of experience as a classroom teacher in Early Childhood Programs, prefer experience in state subsidized or Early/Head Start setting.
• Experience working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement written curriculum goals in accordance with the Creative Curriculum, Project-Based Curriculum, The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and California Department of Education Foundations and Frameworks.
• Plan and facilitate learning activities that meet curriculum goals for individuals and groups of children, while providing direction, guidance, and visual supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.
• Interact with children using intentional and responsive verbal and non-verbal strategies.
• Document the progress of each child in the designated online system using observation notes, picture and anecdotal notes, work samples, documentation panels, screenings, and assessments.
• Create and maintain stimulating, organized, and inviting learning environments in the classroom and outdoor play areas that are reflective of the cultural diversity in the classroom and the surrounding community.
• Develop relationships with families that foster effective partnerships and promote each child’s optimum growth and development.
• Have knowledge of and carry out all Health and Safety requirements according to Community Care Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and California Department of Education regulations.
• Conduct a daily health check for each child and adhere to treatment/intervention plans and medication administration for children with special health needs.
• Maintain updated and organized files on all children and ensure that all required paperwork including observations, screenings, and assessments is completed within set deadlines.
• Create effective and professional relationships with families and children, maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality and initiate ongoing communication with family members through conversations, daily notes, home visits, and parent/teacher conferences.
• Attend and participate in Center Staff Meetings. Contribute to Parent Center Meetings or special events, and perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• The employee is often required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is required to work outdoors daily.
• Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies.