UPK Teaching Assistant - Part Time

$16.50/hour

Mon-Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

A Career with a Cause:

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We focus our work in three key areas, youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We are committed to this cause because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.

Position Summary:

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The UPK Teaching Assistant will assist with the delivery of a safe and developmentally high quality educational experience for the children under the guidance the UPK Lead Teacher. The UPK Teaching Assistant assures the well-being for each participant in line with YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

· Assist the Lead Teacher in all daily preschool program activities, including academic enrichment, physical activity, arts and crafts, music, and lunch and snack time. Be prepared to lead activities in the absence of the Lead Teacher.

· Familiarize self with the New York State Universal Preschool Guidelines and YMCA Preschool program objectives as well as the regulations set by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and consider these practices when planning activities.

· Perform general housekeeping tasks, cleans up after every activity and ensures that site and program areas are clean and well organized.

· Provide children with a daily snack that is wholesome, nutritious, and appropriate in portion and content for the age group. Snack menus must be incorporated into the daily lesson plans.

· Report to the program ready to work at designated times and prepared to stay until all of the children have left.

· Provide a safe, healthy, moral, and fun environment for all children, supervising children at all times and maintaining licensing ratios.

· Provide a positive role model for the children in the program. This includes actions, speech, and attire of all staff.

· Foster within the program participants the growth of the four YMCA character values of respect, responsibility, caring, and honesty. To also foster the growth of skills in team-building, good sportsmanship, friendship, and pride in doing one’s best.

· Complete incident reports for all injuries or illnesses requiring first aid. Discuss these incidents with parents and turn all incident reports to the Executive Director within a timely fashion (immediately for those seeking medical care or within 48 hours including follow up for any other incidents).

· Be responsible for completing and maintaining child care records as needed. This includes attendance sheets, health care check, and participant files.

· Work additional hours on half days, snow days, and school holidays as needed in collaboration with the Child Care program.

· Maintain a positive, open relationship with all staff, parents, and program participants. Greet children and parents by name whenever possible. Report any issues or concerns to the Preschool Lead Teacher and Early Learning Coordinator.

· Attend all scheduled monthly staff meetings and trainings/workshops.

· Complete a minimum of 30 hours of training every 2 years with the first fifteen hours being received within the first 6 months of employment as required by NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

· Follow all YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergency procedures.

· All other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.