Early Learning Center Teacher Assistant Infant​/Toddler

Overview

The Teacher Assistant I will assist the Head Teacher in providing a supportive, respectful, safe, and healthy environment for children enrolled in YWCA Hartford Region Early Learning Centers. This includes implementing activities geared to meet the developing needs of a large group of children in a productive and safe manner.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Assists in planning, developing, and delivering classroom and outdoor curriculum to meet the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, enabling children to develop and grow in their interests and abilities.
• Assists in the development of short and long-term goals for the improvement of class programs.
• Implements individual Support Plans.
• Supports student activities through direct participation with children.

• Assists in maintaining an orderly, safe, healthy, and inviting environment per accreditation.
• Ensures appropriate classroom behavior management, supporting children by providing positive guidance and redirection.
• Implements YWCA Hartford Region’s Positive Guidance Policies.
• Performs various support duties such as snack preparation, delivery, and clean-up; and monitoring of bathroom facilities.
• Develops and maintains positive ongoing communication with parents sensitively and responsively.
• Assumes daily classroom responsibilities in the absence of the Head Teacher I or II.

• Follows defined OEC and YWCA Hartford Region’s protocols for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Assists Head Teacher I and II with completing developmental observations and assessments as outlined in the program requirements.
• Reports all child-related incidents and completes Incident Reports within 24 hours.
• Utilizes the YWCA Hartford Region’s Name-to-Face Accountability and Ratio sheets to ensure proper accountability and safety of children, licensing, and the agency’s health and safety standards.
• Complies with all CACFP procedures and documentation requirements.
• Maintains student confidentiality per YWCA Hartford Region policies.
• Reports and documents all work-related injuries to the Site Manager immediately.
• Attends Sanctuary Training and other job-related trainings and seminars, and keeps up with the latest information and best practices within the field.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED.

Experience

• Demonstrated ability to develop age-appropriate exhibits and activities for the classroom.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of Child Development.
• 18 years of age or older.

Certifications and Licenses

• CPR/First Aid certification or certification within two months of employment.

Schedule

• This is a full-time exempt position. Standard hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 6:45 am – 6:15 pm. The work schedule and hours will be defined by the Department Head or direct supervisor. Some evening hours may be required.

• Seeks to cultivate and develop professional working relationships with key stakeholders, i.e., staff, volunteers, interns, board members, etc.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding others.
• Engages in (or commits to) personal and professional development.
• Demonstrates a willingness to examine one’s assumptions and attitudes.
• Maintains productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives.
• Demonstrates awareness of one’s and others’ life experiences and their relevance in the workplace.
• Experience resolving conflicts effectively.
• Promotes a respectful work environment in which concerns are addressed effectively.

A career with YWCA Hartford provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or special part-time (intermittent).

Benefits may include: apply now, and ask the recruiter for more details.

• Health Insurance - Group medical, dental and vision plans offer comprehensive coverage to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
• Long-term Disability - Eligible employees receive company-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Short-term Disability - All eligible employees may elect short-term disability to cover the employee for 12 weeks, if disabled. This is an employee-paid option.
• Life Insurance - A company-paid group life insurance plan is available to eligible employees.
• Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents.
• Time Off From Work - Eligible employees receive ten paid holidays per year, paid vacation and personal time, as well as paid sick time.
• Retirement Plan - All eligible employees are enrolled in a non-contributory pension plan after two years of employment.
• Childcare Discounts - Employees receive discounts on childcare offered at YWCA Hartford Region.

EOE/ AA