On-Call Preschool Teacher-Antioch/Pittsburg

About the Role

Teachers at the YMCA of the East Bay provide high-quality care and education that meets the needs of children and families in an inclusive setting for children of all abilities. The role involves implementing services aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Education regulations, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Community Care Licensing. Teachers facilitate developmentally appropriate activities using the Creative Curriculum and partner with families to support children's growth and positive learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

• 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, providing direction, guidance, and visual supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times, interacting with them using intentional and responsive verbal and non-verbal strategies.
• Document each child’s progress using observation notes, pictures, anecdotal notes, work samples, documentation panels, screenings, and assessments in the designated online system.
• Conduct two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences for each child annually.
• Create and maintain stimulating, organized, and inviting learning environments in the classroom and outdoor play areas that reflect the cultural diversity of the classroom and community.
• Develop relationships with families to foster effective partnerships and promote each child’s optimum growth and development.
• Carry out all Health and Safety requirements according to Community Care Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and California Department of Education regulations.
• Conduct daily health checks for each child and adhere to treatment/intervention plans and medication administration for children with special health needs.
• Ensure accurate documentation on Infant/Toddler daily records, if applicable.
• Monitor classroom materials, equipment, and outdoor facilities daily to ensure safety, performing or requesting maintenance as needed.
• Instruct and guide children in the proper and safe use of facilities, materials, and equipment.
• Teach and monitor children in proper health and hygiene skills, including toileting, hand washing, and tooth-brushing.
• Monitor classroom attendance sheets daily for proper parent sign-in and sign-out.
• Conduct and log monthly earthquake and fire drills.
• Participate in meetings, classes, and trainings for professional growth and maintenance of current permit; may be required to attend classes to attain AA or BA degrees.
• Maintain updated and organized files on all children, ensuring all required paperwork, including observations, screenings, and assessments, is completed within set deadlines.
• Ensure accurate documentation in the online system of Attendance and Daily Meal Counts for the Child Care Food Program.
• Create effective and professional relationships with families and children, maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality, and initiating ongoing communication 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.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (AA degree or above required for Head Start; AA degree or above preferred for Early Head Start).
• 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 a grade of C or above.
• Proficiency in English; bilingual or multilingual preferred.
• Two years of experience as a classroom teacher in Early Childhood Programs, preferably in state-subsidized or Early/Head Start settings.
• Experience working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Pre-employment physical examination and TB clearance.
• Current certificates for Pediatric First Aid and CPR, including a total of 15 hours of preventative health and safety training or completion of this training within 90 days of hire.
• LiveScan fingerprint and criminal record clearance.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in high-stress situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other computer programs.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

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

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• Often required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Required to work outdoors daily.
• Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies.