Lead Preschool Instructor

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Center Executive Director, the Lead Preschool Instructor provides leadership and daily oversight of the preschool classroom while creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. This position plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum, supports the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschool-aged children, mentors classroom staff, and builds positive relationships with families.

Responsibilities

• Model the YMCA's mission and core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities that support the growth and development of preschool-aged children.
• Provide daily leadership and direction for classroom staff, assisting with training, coaching, and maintaining a collaborative team environment.
• Create and maintain a safe, inclusive, nurturing, and engaging classroom that promotes positive behavior and active learning.
• Supervise children at all times while maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios and ensuring participant safety.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers through effective communication and exceptional customer service.
• Monitor children's development and communicate progress, achievements, and concerns with families as appropriate.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom, including materials, equipment, and learning spaces.
• Complete required program documentation, including attendance records, incident reports, and other required classroom records.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, family engagement events, and YMCA activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Commitment to Child Safety

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is committed to creating environments where children are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Employees and volunteers who directly supervise children are expected to:

• Adhere to YMCA policies regarding professional boundaries with youth.
• Attend all required Abuse Risk Management and Child Protection trainings.
• Follow established procedures for supervising children and managing high-risk activities.
• Immediately report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Comply with all mandated reporting requirements and child protection protocols.
• Follow all YMCA and Praesidium standards related to child abuse prevention and youth protection.

Every employee shares responsibility for protecting the children and families entrusted to our care.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, education, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with preschool-aged children; previous classroom leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and support classroom staff while fostering a positive team environment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and classroom management skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond effectively in emergency situations.
• Current CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or the ability to obtain required certifications within YMCA-established timeframes.
• Must successfully complete all required background screenings and comply with YMCA Child Protection Policies and all organizational policies and procedures.

YMCA Competencies

• Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations, and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed primarily in an active indoor preschool classroom with occasional outdoor activities.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, sit on the floor, reach, and actively participate in classroom activities and outdoor play.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move children, classroom materials, and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Maintain continuous visual and auditory supervision of children and respond quickly to emergencies.
• Frequently exposed to moderate noise levels, art and cleaning materials, outdoor weather conditions, and common childhood illnesses.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, and staff.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 12:30pm