Preschool Teacher Assistant

• Lesson Planning and Classroom Management
• Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in implementation of high quality, developmentally appropriate instructional activities and curriculum approaches (like Creative Curriculum™) that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child; while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if applicable.
• Takes the lead in absence of the lead teacher.
• With the support of the Lead Teacher, uses observational and child data to assist in planning developmentally appropriate and 2 YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in leveraging the physical environment and pedagogical documentation to support teaching and learning practices.
• Supports and implements planned studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time.
• Establishes and maintains an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Assists with classroom management, arrangement, organization, and labeling materials.
• Assists with completion of classroom inventory quarterly; and the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction and children’s learning using environmental assessments to guide decisions.

Minimum & Preferred Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) and a minimum of 6 college credit hours in Early Childhood Education required
• ECE
• Child
• Development
• Associate (CDA) or comparable credential (Minimum: Gateways Level 2 ECE credential) preferred
• Must have prior experience working with children
• Basic knowledge of child growth and development as well as developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 2-5.
• Ability to analyze and interpret state and Local Standards as well as State and local licensing requirements.
• Ability to build rapport with children, families, and colleagues.

• Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:
• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

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