Preschool Teacher

The YMCA of Greater San Francisco is a global movement and the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We offer careers with purpose, addressing pressing social issues while fostering a values-driven culture of truth, authenticity, dependability, dignity, and empathy.

About the role

The Preschool Assistant Teacher helps create a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children ages 2–5 at the Gateway Child Development Center. This role supports classroom activities, assists with lesson planning, and collaborates with lead teachers, site coordinators, and families to foster each child’s development. The Assistant Teacher models positive behavior, ensures compliance with licensing regulations, and upholds YMCA policies for safety and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Support
  • Assist teachers with preparing and planning lesson plans and daily activities.
  • Support classroom setup and cleanup.
  • Help observe and document children’s progress for assessments, including state-mandated paperwork and DRDP observations.
  • Teach and assist in a preschool classroom serving children ages 2–5.
  • Actively participate in all daily program activities.
• Child Supervision & Safety
  • Maintain constant supervision of all children enrolled in the program.
  • Respond promptly to incidents and complete all necessary documentation.
  • Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
  • Wash hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Communication & Collaboration
  • Communicate daily with colleagues and families about relevant information (e.g., behaviors, incidents, requests).
  • Report unresolved issues to the Site Coordinator or Child Development Director.
  • Attend and contribute to staff meetings and training courses.
• Program Standards & Compliance
  • Adhere to the assigned program schedule and follow all ECE program protocols.
  • Complete all mandatory ADP and Y-USA safety training before the first shift.
  • Maintain clean and organized indoor and outdoor areas for children and staff.
  • Attend staff development workshops and apply new learning in the classroom.
• YMCA Mission & Leadership
  • Demonstrate YMCA core values: caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility.
  • Show a willingness to grow in Cause-Driven Leadership areas: Advancing our Mission and Cause, Building Relationships, Leading Operations, Developing & Inspiring Others.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and sitting on the floor to engage with children at their level.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and respond quickly to children’s needs in routine and emergency situations.
• Exposure to cleaning materials, outdoor weather conditions, and typical childhood illnesses.
• Regular handwashing and adherence to health and safety guidelines.
• Physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Successful completion of a background screening, including criminal and employment verification (some positions may require a credit check).
• Fingerprinting required upon commencement of employment.

Pay

Competitive hourly rate of $24.00 - $28.00, based on qualifications and experience.