Lead Educator

What You'll Do

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

Reporting to the Director and Assistant Director, the Lead Educator will perform the following critical functions:

Child Development and Supervision

• Develops and implements a comprehensive childcare program that aligns with the center's policies and philosophy, ensuring the well-being and safety of children at all times.
• Fosters a positive and respectful environment, treating each child with dignity and respect, and helping them develop essential life skills.
• Ensures the physical and emotional needs of children are met throughout the day, including feeding, diapering, toilet training, comforting, guidance, naptime, play, and learning/lessons.
• Provides medical care as needed, taking into account individual children's needs, interests, handicaps, special talents, and cultural backgrounds.
• Designs and implements a multi-age and developmentally appropriate program that incorporates various activities, including dramatic play, block/manipulative, gross/fine motor, arts/crafts, music/movement, language, math/science, indoor/outdoor activities, and more.
• Communicates effectively with parents, providing daily updates on their child's activities and performance, and evaluates child progress through biannual Developmental Checklists.
• Identifies and addresses behavioral issues, taking corrective action when necessary, and maintains accurate records of child behavior and development.
• Develops and submits lesson plans, including TN ELDS documentation, to the Assistant Director/Director in advance of each month or week.
• Coordinates activities and assigns tasks to volunteers, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Classroom and Program Management

• Responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and organized classroom environment, adhering to Three Star criteria and ensuring the well-being of all children.
• Ensures accurate documentation and records of attendance, meals, accidents, medications, activity sheets, and other essential information.
• Reports any maintenance or repair needs to the relevant authorities, maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
• Participates in housekeeping duties, both indoors and outdoors, and ensures the classroom is adequately stocked with necessary supplies and materials.
• Attends required staff meetings, participates in recommended training programs, and maintains a high level of professional growth, including CPR and First Aid certification.
• Implements effective strategies for utilizing Educational Assistants, ensuring a positive and productive working environment.
• Represents the Lead Educator position and the YWCA in a welcoming and professional manner, engaging with guests and collaborating with staff and volunteers.
• Maintains a positive, flexible, and cooperative relationship with all staff and volunteers, ensuring effective teamwork and communication.
• Assists the Director and Assistant Director in supervising classroom staff and volunteers, ensuring the smooth coordination of all activities and plans.
• Complies with State of Tennessee Licensure Rules and reports any noncompliance with YWCA policies and procedures, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Director or Assistant Director.

Requirements

General Requirements

• Complies with YWCA policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations
• Adheres to policy on Drug Free Workplace
• Works in a safety-conscious manner which ensures that safe work practices are used in order not to pose a risk to self or others in the workplace. Reports any safety violations or hazards to supervisor.
• Interacts in a tactful, diplomatic, and humanistic manner with children, families, visitors, volunteers, and co-workers to provide a safe, efficient and caring environment which ensures self-respect, personal dignity, rights and physical safety of each person
• Maintains a dependable attendance record and adheres to standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene, and dress code
• Takes positive action to ensure equal opportunity in the conduct of all business activities without regard to race, color, region, sex/gender, age, national origin, disability, citizenship, veteran status or any other legally protected category

Physical Demands

• Walking, standing, talking and hearing. Supervision requirements by the State of Tennessee Licensure Rules states that an employee must be able to hear the child at all times, must be able to see the child with a quick glance, and must be able to physically respond immediately.

• Ability to routinely lift children, move furniture in an early childhood classroom and sustain long hours of active work for 8 hours or more.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds

• The agility to move quickly and keep pace with toddlers

Mental Demands

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written)

• Ability to remain alert and energetic for 8 hours or more

Travel

• Minimal. Some travel from facility to facility and trainings.

Nice to Have

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Experience working with young children, particularly in a childcare setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and training.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including children, families, and colleagues.

Benefits