Lead Educator

Job Overview

The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering individuals, especially children, to reach their full potential. We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Educator to oversee our preschool and infant/toddler programs.

About the Role

This key position requires a compassionate individual who can provide high-quality education and care for young children. As a Lead Educator, you will be responsible for supervising daily classroom activities, ensuring a safe and healthy environment, and promoting social-emotional development in our students.

Responsibilities

1. Classroom Management: Supervise daily classroom activities, including outdoor play, using positive discipline techniques to maintain a secure and hygienic environment.
2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Foster an inclusive atmosphere, serving diverse communities equitably and promoting anti-racist values at all times.
3. Curriculum Development: Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculums, submitting timely reports as required by state guidelines.
4. Program Planning: Prepare materials, equipment, and information for the daily program, taking attendance and lunch counts, and maintaining accurate records for CACFP or USDA compliance.
5. Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with families, working collaboratively with staff to meet individual children's needs.
6. Training and Development: Participate in supervision, multi-component, and staff meetings, staying updated on best practices and industry standards.
7. Health and Safety: Ensure proper food handling, sanitation, and OSHA procedures are followed at all times.
8. Record-Keeping: Maintain anecdotal logs for each enrolled child (Early Childhood only) and conduct regular fire drills and emergency preparedness exercises.
9. Classroom Maintenance: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
10. YMCA Core Values: Demonstrate honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring in your interactions with colleagues, families, and children.
11. Confidentiality: Protect the confidentiality of child and family information.
12. Leadership: Supervise a group of children and assist in maintaining center policies, OEC state regulations, and NAEYC standards.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field is preferred, along with a minimum of two years of experience in early childhood education.
• Licensure and Certifications: Hold a valid teaching certification or equivalent, and possess the necessary qualifications as per Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.
• Personal Qualities: Display emotional maturity, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that does not compromise job responsibilities.

Physical Demands

• Mobility: Ability to supervise children by sight and sound, provide verbal direction, move around a room, and react quickly to safety issues.
• Lifting and Bending: Capacity to lift young children and objects up to 40 pounds, and perform tasks requiring kneeling, bending, and crouching.

Earnings

We offer a competitive salary range of $45,000 - $60,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Why Join Us?

The YMCA of Greater Hartford offers a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children and families.