Early Learning Professional

Company Description

YWCA Kalamazoo is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

YWCA Kalamazoo is your ally who is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. The longest-serving YWCA association in Michigan, YWCA Kalamazoo provides individuals and families with victim-focused counseling and advocacy services as well as shelter for survivors of violence, transitional housing, and legal services. Our variety of family programs are designed to improve the lives of the most vulnerable population. We lead the way for system change in our communities.

Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assists children in all daily activities including, but not limited to: toileting, personal hygiene, dressing and eating.
2. Organizes and implements age appropriate l earning activities/ experiences with individual children and small and large groups within the approved curriculum.
3. Observes and assesses utilizing Teaching Strategies GOLD and ASQ-3/ASQ-SE.
4. Supervises children's activities to ensure safety, promote socialization and enjoyment of children attending the facility.
5. Works cooperatively with the Site Director, Program Coordinator, Community and Family Liasion and/or teaching team to resolve any programmatic or family concerns including but not limited to communication, service delivery, quality, curriculum, personnel, and assessment.
6. Works cooperatively with the Site Director, Program Coordinator, Community and Family Liaison, and/or teaching team on assigned duties, such as preparing activity materials, room cleanliness and using time effectively.
7. Participates in mealtime activities with the children to encourage good eating habits, good table manners, conversation and clean-up.
8. Accompanies and supervises children on field trips.
9. Commits to self-education on anti-bias education, racial justice, and gender equity issues.
10. Monitors health status of children for illness or areas of concern.
11. Cleans up after activities.
12. Provides written and/or verbal communication to parents regarding child’s daily activities, progress and behavior.
13. Observes all Children’s Center and YWCA policies and procedures.
14. Complies with applicable local, state and federal licensing requirements/certification and/or regulations.
15. Complies with association policy regarding required reporting of child abuse.
16. Safeguards confidential information gained as a result of the position.
17. Works cooperatively with program participants, YWCA staff and volunteers.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. YWCA location
2. Off-site location
3. Potential outdoor events
4. Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, some lifting
5. Frequently required to stand
6. Frequently required to walk
7. Frequently required to sit
8. Occasionally required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
9. Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
10. Continually required to talk or hear
11. Frequently required to taste or smell
12. Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
13. Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts
14. Occasionally work in high, precarious places
15. Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
16. Occasionally/Frequently exposure to outside weather conditions (we do go outside so can this be and/or situation?)
17. Occasionally exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
18. Occasionally/Frequently exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials (does this mean when we get exposed to blood of kids)
19. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually Moderate-Loud.
20. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 60 pounds(or can it be more/less) / frequently lift and/or move up to 60 pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
21. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision, Depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Significant and relevant post-high school education or training in early childhood education or child/family-related field, but at minimum meet the requirements for a Lead Teacher as required by State of Michigan Child Care Licensing.
3. Two-years experience working with young children and families in some capacity at minimum. Licensed child care experience preferred.
4. Understanding of Creative Curriculum (curriculum), Teaching Strategies GOLD (developmental assessment tool), and Ages and Stages Questionnaire (developmental screener) preferred.
5. Ability to meet requirements of Bureau of Child and Adult Licensing.
6. Satisfactory response to criminal and child abuse and neglect history checks.
7. Able to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

Additional Information

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
1. Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
2. Racial Justice Training
3. Pronoun Training
4. Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
5. Training as required by State of Michigan Child Care Licensing and high-quality program
implementation
6. Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer