Pre K Counts Teacher at Greater Philadelphia YMCA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE

The Pre-K Counts Teacher is expected to provide a safe and developmentally appropriate preschool education in accordance with all relevant legislation, policies, and procedures within the State of Pennsylvania as a Certified Teacher, Instructional Level I OR Level II.  To maintain program quality in accordance with DHS, ECERS, NAEYC, OCDEL guidelines and YMCA program policies; ensure the safety, well-being and age appropriate instruction of all children in their care. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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  Read and be accountable for YMCA Policies, State Licensing Body (PA- DHS / NJ-NJ OOL) regulations, and Quality Rating System standards (Example: NAEYC, Keystone STARS, Grow NJ Kids).
  

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  Plan curriculum for classroom following the proscribed curriculum and ensure child centered age appropriate lessons are offered. Adhere to learn through play NAEYC philosophy. Ensure that staff in your room take on an active role in planning, implementing and actively participating in all activities.
  


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  Supervise classroom staff to ensure that they are upholding all DHS/YMCA/Keystone stars/NAEYC guidelines for proper verbal interaction, proper learn through play techniques and age appropriate redirection as a form of discipline.
  


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  Accurately maintain daily records of attendance, mobile emergency contact binders, trip binders and allergy reports
  


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  Ensure effective and timely communication of child progress with parents. Ensure that the parents are provided daily/weekly communication. Ensure that staff in your classroom maintain sensitivity and patience with the children and parents and provide care to meet the individual needs of the child/families. Maintain confidentiality at all times, and ensure staff are using correct verbal interactions with parents.
  


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  Ensure staff adhere to the DHS/YMCA/ECERS/NAEYC standards for maintaining cleanliness, centers set up, toy bins and correct return of toys to areas. Ensure that staff are engaging children in the maintaining of said centers and items.
  


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  Inform Director of any concerns regarding facility, space, staffing, child/staff ratios or child developmental issues that may require early intervention.
  


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  Effectively plan and manage resources. Ensure effective staffing. Ensure timely and effective use of materials, snack, and other classroom resources. Ensure that staff in your room are also maintaining effective method of usage.
  


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  Ensure balance of small group interaction teacher directed activities vs. child choice activities, as required by NAEYC/Keystone STARS.
  


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  Attend Staff Meetings/Team Teaching Meetings.  Plan Back to School Night.
  


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  Participate as a member of the YMCA and contribute to the fulfillment of the YMCA mission.
  


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  Know the mission and be able to apply it to your job responsibilities. Also, be able to explain to parents how child care meets the YMCA mission.
  


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  Read the NAEYC guidelines in order to be knowledgeable in the NAEYC procedures, and approach to early childhood education.
  


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  Maintain knowledge of Association policies and procedures, risk management, safety practices and applicable laws.
  

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  Actively campaign for the Annual Campaign and work to develop donors and volunteers. 
  


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  Lead by example at all times.  Interact with a high level of professionalism and accountability.
  

Essential Duties and Responsibility Addition for All Staff:

In order to ensure the health and wellness of the employees, members, and visitors of the GPY YMCA and all locations where GPY YMCA operates business, in addition to the essential duties and responsibilities listed on your current job description, the following are additional duties and responsibilities that may be assigned at any time where appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic or any pandemic/communicable disease where the duties are appropriate. These additions are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned and required as needed:

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  Enhanced cleaning in areas where the employee is not directly/normally assigned as well as normally assigned areas. All employees are expected to assist in and support the efforts of the GPY YMCA when it comes to health and wellness for the facility and other locations where the GPY YMCA conducts business. All employees are expected to wipe machines, screens, computers, or anything that is used after they use it, all employees are expected to wash their hands on a frequent basis (recommended every 30 minutes if possible), and use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not available.
  


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  Temperature Taking/Wellness Questionnaire Taking Assignments
  


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  Directing Members/Visitors in areas where the employee is both normally and not normally assigned
  


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  The employee may be assigned to areas other than their normally assigned area as needed to meet organizational needs. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, being assigned areas to count people, help direct flow of traffic in an area, being assigned to a specific area to assist with doors, and any other duty as needed by the organization.
  


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  All other duties as assigned as it relates to COVID-19 or other communicable disease and/or pandemic.
  

 

ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

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  Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education as required by OCDEL
  


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  Possess PA Teacher certification in Early Childhood Education as an Instructional Level I or Level II Teacher, maintain the certification
  


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  Ongoing Training: fulfill required number of professional development hours for Pre K Counts and STARS, as well as attainment of Level II certification
  

 

 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All Greater Philadelphia YMCA staff are responsible for the following:

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  Maintaining a clean, well-groomed appearance and keeping in compliance with the Association and Department Dress Code Policy.
  


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  Exhibit strong leadership skills; possess a passion and commitment to member service and satisfaction, building and maintaining a culture of ensuring excellent Member Experience (MX).
  


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  A commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
  


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  Perform other related duties as assigned.
  

 

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

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  Maintaining the safety of all members and staff by identifying and correcting risk situations, and ensuring incident-reporting procedures are followed.
  


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  Ensuring the overall cleanliness of the facility.
  

 

COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION

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  Ensure that children in the care of the GPY and participating programming are kept safe from harm.
  


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  As a Mandated Reporter you are obligated to report ALL suspicions of abuse or neglect to the requisite state agency.
  

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information and to convey detailed, spoken instructions to staff, members, children, and volunteers accurately, quickly, and loudly. Ability to perceive the nature of sounds by ear; ability to lift and carry 50-75 pounds; ability to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling. Ability to move about on foot quickly; ability to stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where they actually are and clearly see at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Exposure to high levels of noise and various environmental conditions.

 

Acquire and maintain the following certifications:

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  CPR/AED/O2/First Aid obtained through the American Red Cross (valid 2 years)
  


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  Requisite OSHA online trainings (valid 1 year unless otherwise noted)
  


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  Mandated Reporter Training (valid 5 years)
  


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  Additional training and development specific to your role as reference in onboarding packet.
  

 

OTHER

At the YMCA we value CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in personal character and behavior and believe that they are essential to attaining our mission

 

OUR MISSION

To translate the principles of the YMCA’s Christian heritage into programs that nurture children, strengthen families, build strong communities and develop healthy minds, bodies and spirits for all.

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