Infant Toddler Lead Teacher

What You'll Do

1. Take full responsibility for the well-being and safety of all children in the program.
2. Develop and implement weekly lesson plans that connect with the CT Early Learning and Development Standards, creating a curriculum that evolves in response to student needs.
3. Conduct daily observations and record student progress in their portfolios, as guided by the CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching Systems.
4. Maintain open communication with parents regarding their child's progress, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.
5. Coordinate special events in harmony with the weekly lesson plans.
6. Integrate the 40 developmental assets into the classroom curriculum and daily activities, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
7. Embed YMCA Character and Youth Development best practices into the weekly plans, promoting positive values and behaviors.
8. Participate in staff orientation and meetings as required.
9. Provide referrals for support services as needed and advocate for children and families.
10. Arrange the classroom space to facilitate children's socio-emotional growth, learning through play, and physical development, using transitions as opportunities for educational enrichment.
11. Promote learning across all areas of the classroom, including Block Area, Dramatic Play, Manipulative Area, Literacy center, Computer, Sand and Water Area, Science Area, Art area, and woodworking.
12. Submit weekly classroom checklists to the Child Development Director.
13. Comply with all policies and procedures related to abuse and neglect reporting.
14. Keep accurate and well-documented records for monthly Nutrition and School Readiness reports.
15. Foster a team-oriented attitude and supervise assistant teachers and aides, delegating tasks as necessary.
16. Inform the Child Development Director of any significant issues affecting staff, children, or the facility.
17. Promote professional growth and serve as an exemplary role model.
18. Lead and train staff in daily center activities and special events.
19. Model relationship-building skills in all interactions and maintain regular, clear, and concise communication within your area of responsibility.
20. Ensure that all activities adhere to state regulations, School Readiness requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards, and YMCA policies, including proper staff ratios and reporting requirements.
21. Perform all other duties assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements

• Knowledge of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS), and CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching Systems (CT DOTS).
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Minimum age of 21.
• Preferred: a minimum of a higher education degree (any degree level) in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education. Degreed professionals entering the early childhood education profession from another industry must meet the equivalent minimum qualification, which is currently 60 college credits with 30 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education.
• Prior to 1st day: completion of Child Abuse Prevention, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Blood borne Pathogens training.
• Or A baccalaureate degree (BA) in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education from the OEC Approved College Listing, Or A Bachelor degree in any other field AND 12 credits or more in early childhood or child development from any college not listed on the approved list; AND successful completion of the Early Childhood Teacher Credential Individual Review Route; Or, The equivalency to a baccalaureate degree (BA) or higher in early childhood education, which is defined by NAEYC as a baccalaureate degree in any discipline with at least 36 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education, Or, Was identified on June 30, 2015 in the Registry at ladder level 11 or higher and employed at a State-funded program; therefore was grandfathered to meet the bachelor degree level staff education qualifications.
• Current Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Appropriate Early Childhood Certification Endorsement.

Nice to Have

First Aid/CPR certification

Benefits