Assistant Infant Teacher

The YMCA in Downtown Bellingham is looking for qualified, patient, and compassionate candidates to be our next Assistant Infant Teacher. Applicants must have experience working with infants (preferably more than one at a time), have a love of this age group, enjoy working with parents, and have the desire to grown and learn as a teacher. Working hours will be approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (with a 1-hour lunch break), with up to 8 infants and another teacher. If you love working witch children ages 1-12 months and are comfortable juggling the needs of multiple babies at one time (while ensuring health, safety and developmental considerations), we’d love to hear from you!

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 Assistant Infant 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.
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.
Work alongside the Lead Teacher and other classroom teachers to engage children in singing, conversation, reading books, and simple learning activities.
Follow infant daily schedules of feeding, diapering, and napping using best practices in early childhood learning and development.
Assists the Lead Teacher in collecting 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 organization’s 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 organization’s 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)
Willingness to obtain the ECE initial certificate or equivalent (approximately 12 credits).
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 Immunization Record

This program participates in Early Achievers.