Early Childhood Educator

At the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, we're seeking a dedicated and compassionate Early Head Start Teacher to join our team. As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, we're committed to positively impacting lives and communities across the state.

Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Early Head Start Teacher ensures the safety and well-being of each child in the program by providing a safe and healthy environment. This co-teaching position includes collaborative supervision in providing quality early childhood experiences for children ages six-weeks to three-years old.

1. Directly supervise and develop classroom associates, managing day-to-day operations in the classroom.
2. Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children.
3. Encourage family involvement and support relationships between children and their families.
4. Implement developmentally appropriate practices, inclusive of children with disabilities, and age-appropriate and integrated across all areas of a child's development.
5. Meet federal, state, local, and program regulations and timelines for compliance, implementation, and documentation.
6. Participate in teaching activities, consistently moving around the learning environment both indoors and outdoors.
7. Constantly supervise children during all activities (indoors & outdoors) and during all times when children are under their direct care.
8. Redirect inappropriate behaviors in a positive manner, supportive and non-punitive.
9. Respond quickly to a child in distress or a crying child, calming them in a nurturing and appropriate manner.
10. Utilize developmentally appropriate feeding, toileting, cleaning, and health care practices for children with special health care needs.
11. Model appropriate language behaviors for children, including grammatically correct verbal and written language usage.
12. Prepare lesson plans, materials, and environment that are organized, interactive, appropriate, clean, safe, and hands-on.
13. Prepare, plan, and implement transition strategies for daily activities.
14. Organize classroom space into functional areas (i.e. interest centers) that are easily recognizable and clutter-free.
15. Conduct and record ongoing observations that are descriptive of the whole child and their developmental milestones.
16. Conduct all home visits in the home and in a timely manner as required by the program guidelines.
17. Conduct all scheduled parent conferences and any additional conferences in a time, manner, and location that is most convenient for parents.
18. Administer and record regularly scheduled developmental assessments as required by program guidelines.
19. Refer all suspected disabilities and abuse to the appropriate authority.
20. Behave in a professional manner that is always open, cordial, family- and child-centered, and in the best interest of the Head Start program.
21. Record and total attendance accurately in the roll book daily.
22. Submit accurate attendance and other applicable reports.
23. Count, record, and submit accurate meal count reports daily after each meal for the number of children eating to the food service staff.
24. Attend and participate in team, site, and agency required meetings, trainings, professional development, and continuing education.
25. Participate in family-style meal service, modeling good nutrition and proper social skills.
26. Ensure site-appropriate health, safety, classroom organization, classroom aesthetic, and sanitation guidelines are followed.
27. Follow all mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, unsafe conditions, repair needs, complaints, accidents, and injuries.

1. Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in Infant and Toddler Education or higher.
2. Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
3. PDS documentation and transcripts.
4. Ability to perform physical requirements, including kneeling, bending, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects or children up to 50 lbs.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education.

This job posting is subject to change at any time. The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. The opportunities to serve are vast, and we're looking for a diverse mix of people who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.