Lead Toddler 2 Teacher (2-year-olds)

The YMCA Early Learning Program in Downtown Bellingham is currently seeking amazing applicants for our full time Lead Toddler 2 teachers. Our Toddler 2 classroom can accommodate up to 14 children, ages 2-3 years of age, with 3 teachers. Our current lead teacher (who is magnificent) is moving into more of an administrative role, and we’d like to find someone amazing to take her place.

The T2 Lead teachers plans all curriculum (with help from assistants, if needed), sets up the large classroom, make sure the daily schedule goes as planned (on most days) and facilitates a large majority of the parent communication. We use a platform called Brightwheel to help facilitate parent communication.

We’re really looking for someone who can help guide a team of teachers in the classroom and be a part of our larger group of lead teachers for input on program guidance and feedback. We love teachers who will help our children learn and grow with gentle reminders and boundaries, age appropriate expectations, and helping children learn how to start to regulate their big emotions. 2-year-olds are not quite little toddlers anymore, but they area also not quite preschoolers. It’s a fun, challenging, and hilarious age group to work with.

If you have experience in a classroom and feel ready to step up and lead a classroom of teachers and children, we invite you to apply!

Rate of Pay: $17.25-$20.25

Dailey Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:15 am-5 pm

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Lead Toddler II Teacher at the Whatcom Family YMCA maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises the children, classroom, and all program activities.
• Mentors and directs the focus of the Assistant Teachers.
• Follows all procedures and standards as established by the law or the Y; makes ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintains the program site, equipment, and required program records.
• Works in collaboration with the Director, Program Supervisor and Assistant Teachers to engage children in a play-based curriculum, with an emphasis on language and early social skills and arrange the environment using the ITERs-R environmental rating scale.
• Creates and follows toddler daily schedules of feeding and meals, diapering, and napping using best practices in early childhood learning and development.
• Collects documentation for use in child assessment and portfolios.
• Provides and welcomes ongoing dialogue with parents and caregivers about their child’s needs and progress; connects families to the Y.
• Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
• Completes and records daily cleaning list, consistently cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing classroom materials and surfaces.
• Administers first aid, completes accident forms, and notifies the Lead Teacher, Program Supervisor, or Director.
• Follows organizations policies and procedures regarding protecting youth from abuse; including screening and selection, training and supervision, and responding to allegations. Communicate to all staff and volunteers the organizations commitment to protect youth from abuse.
• Follows mandated reporting requirements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

Everything we do at the YMCA is based on the ideal that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, diverse abilities, age, religion, socioeconomic status or any other statuses or identities. Our work is focused on eliminating barriers to access, eliminating disparities in health, providing educational support, supporting working families, and growing our next generation of changemakers for our country.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be 18 years of age or older and a high school graduate (or equivalent).
Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting preferred.
Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
Previous experience with diverse populations. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Current CPR (Adult, Infant & Child) and First Aid, AED certifications.
Complete Praesidium Child Abuse prevention training within 15 days of hire.
STARS 30 Hour Childcare Basic Training (Must be completed within 3 months of hire date)
Must have or be in the process of obtaining the following:
___ Negative TB Test

___ HIV/Bloodborne Pathogen training

___ Safe Sleep

___ MERIT ID account

___ Food Handlers Card

___ Cleared Portable Background Check from MERIT

___ MMR Immunization Record

___ Covid-19 full vaccination is required for employment

___ Willingness to obtain the ECE short certificate or equivalent (approximately 20 credits), paid for by Early Achiever Scholarships

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This program participates in Early Achievers.