YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids·Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Assistant Teacher assists in planning, developing, and implementing classroom activities for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. They are also responsible for maintaining child supervision, preparing materials, and facilitating daily parent communication.
Description The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is hiring for both full-time and part-time assistant teachers at multiple centers across West Michigan.
Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization’s work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership.
Our
Guiding
Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!
The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps: Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Relationship
Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.
Education and
Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.
Volunteerism and
Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.
Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.
The Early Learning Assistant Teacher will assist in the planning, developing, and implementing of classroom activities for infant, toddler, or preschool programs. This position requires on site, face-to-face leadership. Center hours vary by location, but generally require flexible scheduling between 6 AM and 6 PM.
Assists Site Coordinator/Supervisor in developing and leading daily lesson plans Actively engages with children in the classroom Assists with daily parent communication Prepares materials for daily activity Maintains records of attendance, arrival, and departure times Maintains supervision of children Assists Site Supervisor with parent-teacher conferences as needed Efficiently communicates with classroom teaching team Performs any other functions deemed to be necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association
COMPENSATION $15.21 - $19.01 ; Non-Exempt, Full-Time (40 hours/week) or Part-Time (up to 25 hours/week)
FULL TIME BENEFITS Free YMCA Family Membership!
50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program.
Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on all Early Learning (excluding infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations.
Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Paid Time Off, beginning at 3 weeks per year 9 Paid Holidays per year 12% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here 403(b) retirement savings account The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
More information can be found here.
Paid Parental Leave Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits Ongoing training and development opportunities Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family Community Discounts, and more!
PART TIME BENEFITS Free YMCA Individual Membership 12% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here.
403(b) retirement savings account Ongoing training and development opportunities Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family Community Discounts, and more!
Associate's degree or CDA PREFERRED, or proof of current enrollment in CDA or college level degree program required; three to six months childcare related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience preferred. Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with and care for infants, toddler, and preschool children.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Blood Borne Pathogen training CPR Certification required within the first 60 days First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT) Fingerprinting DHS clearance Negative T.B. skin test Documentation of physical exam
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Market context
Childcare Assistant Teacher roles in Michigan are commonly in demand as centers look for dependable support in early learning classrooms. This role is competitive because employers often want a high school diploma or GED plus either a CDA or two years of classroom experience, along with background-check clearance and a collaborative teaching style. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your credential path and classroom experience before applying.