Full Time Toddler 2 Assistant Teacher

The YMCA Early Learning Program in Downtown Bellingham is currently seeking a full time teacher to work with our oldest toddler program (20-30 months)!  This is a busy age filled with snuggles, early potty training, learning to use gentle hands, language development and self-help skills.  Applicants should have experience with children ages 1-2.5 years (required), ideally in a group setting (preferred).  Applicants should also have a LOVE for toddlers, understanding of toddler development, high energy, patience, flexibility and a great sense of humor!  If this seems like a great fit for you, please check out the job description below and apply!

This position is a full time position (Monday-Friday) so applicants should have the majority of their day free (position could be 6:30am-3:00pm or 8am-4:45 pm).

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Assistant Toddler II Teacher at the Whatcom Family YMCA maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the children, classroom, and all program activities.
• Follows all procedures and standards as established by the law or the Y; makes ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintains the program site, equipment, and required program records.
• Work alongside the Lead Teacher and other classroom teachers to engage children in a play-based curriculum, with an emphasis on language and early social skills and arrange the environment using the ITERs-R environmental rating scale.
• Follow toddler daily schedules of feeding and meals, diapering, and napping using best practices in early childhood learning and development.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in collecting documentation for use in child assessment and portfolios.
• Provides and welcomes ongoing dialogue with parents and caregivers about their child's needs and progress; connects families to the Y.
• Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Complete and record daily cleaning list, consistently cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing classroom materials and surfaces.
• Administer first aid, complete accident forms, and notify the Lead Teacher, Program Supervisor, or Director.
• Follow organizations policies and procedures regarding protecting youth from abuse; including screening and selection, training and supervision, and responding to allegations. Communicate to all staff and volunteers the organizations commitment to protect youth from abuse.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status or any other statuses or identities. Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, eliminating disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of changemakers for our country.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Engaging Community, Philanthropy

Building Relationships: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion

Leading Operations: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Functional Expertise, Innovation, Program/Project Management

Developing & Inspiring People: Developing Self & Others, Emotional Maturity

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older and a high school graduate (or equivalent).
2. Previous experience working with children (toddlers, ages 1-3 years) in a developmental setting preferred.
3. Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
4. Previous experience with diverse populations. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
5. Current CPR (Adult, Infant & Child) and First Aid, AED certifications.
6. Complete Praesidium Child Abuse prevention training upon hire.
7. STARS 30 Hour Childcare Basic Training (Must be completed within 3 months of hire date)
8. Must have or be in the process of obtaining the following:

___ Negative TB Test

___ HIV/Bloodborne Pathogen training

___ Safe Sleep

___ MERIT ID account

___ Food Handlers Card

___ Cleared Portable Background Check from MERIT

___ MMR Immunization Record

1. Willingness to obtain the ECE initial certificate or equivalent (approximately 12 credits).

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.