Preschool Teacher: Lake Norman YMCA

Reports to:  Youth Development Director

The YMCA Preschool Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children. This role includes developing and implementing curriculum, fostering social and emotional growth, and maintaining positive relationships with children, families, and staff. The Preschool Teacher ensures all activities align with YMCA values and early childhood education best practices to promote child development.

The culture of the Y is rooted in our Christian mission and core values. We strive every day to collectively embody our purpose of serving as a catalyst to transform lives and communities through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We are respectful – we treat each other and those we serve as we hope to be treated ourselves. We are caring – we show a sincere concern for others and their well-being. We are honest – we are truthful in what we say and what we do, and we do not make promises we do not intend to keep. We are responsible – we are good stewards of our resources, strive for excellence and our actions are accountable to those we serve. We are innovative – we harness creativity, are solution minded and forward thinking. We lead with faith.

·         Develop and implement lesson plans that support cognitive, social, and emotional development, following YMCA and other applicable state childcare guidelines.

·         Supervise and engage with children to ensure their safety, well-being, and active participation in learning activities.

·         Foster a positive classroom environment that promotes creativity, self-confidence, and a love of learning.

·         Monitor and assess child development progress, maintaining accurate records and sharing updates with parents.

·         Communicate regularly with families, providing feedback, progress reports, and guidance on child development milestones.

·         Ensure classroom cleanliness and organization, following all health, safety, and sanitation protocols.

·         Collaborate with co-teachers and leadership staff to enhance program quality and implement improvements.

·         Maintain compliance with YMCA policies, state licensing regulations, and early childhood best practices.

·         Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development to continuously improve teaching effectiveness.

·         Serve as a positive role model, demonstrating YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all interactions.

Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by leadership

·         High school diploma or equivalent required.

·         Minimum of 1 year of experience working with young children in a preschool, childcare, or early learning setting.

·         Strong classroom management skills, with the ability to implement age-appropriate discipline and positive reinforcement strategies.

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with children, parents, and team members.

·         Knowledge of child development principles and the ability to adapt activities to meet individual learning needs.

·         Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., engage in physical activities, and work in a fast-paced environment.

·         Familiarity with childcare requirements and YMCA policies related to early childhood education.

·         Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a welcoming space for all children and families.

All YMCA team members are expected to maintain a current and active status for all safety, risk, and programming certifications defined by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

·         Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred.

·         Classroom and playground environment with exposure to moderate noise levels.

·         Frequent standing, bending, sitting on the floor, and lifting children and classroom materials.

·         Outdoor supervision required in varying weather conditions.

·         Flexible work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends for special events or staff training.

·         Requires patience, energy, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic setting.

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Competencies

1

EMOTIONAL MATURITY: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations

2

INCLUSION: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence

3

DEVELOPING SELF & OTHERS: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential

4

PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs

To learn more about our Y-USA Leadership Competencies, please click here: