Early Learning Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:                       

Under the supervision of the Center Director of Early Learning and classroom teaching staff, the Early Learning Assistant supports the delivery of safe, nurturing, and engaging care for children beginning at age six weeks at the YMCA Early Learning Academy. This position assists with developmentally appropriate activities, classroom routines, supervision, and maintaining a clean and welcoming learning environment. This position builds positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers while modeling the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist teaching staff with developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences that promote learning through play and support children's growth and development.
• Actively engage with children and provide positive, nurturing interactions that support their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• Assist with daily classroom routines, including transitions, meals, rest periods, outdoor play, toileting/diapering, and cleanup as assigned.
• Maintain active supervision of children and support required staff-to-child ratios in accordance with SC DSS licensing requirements.
• Observe children's behavior, development, and individual needs and communicate relevant information to classroom teaching staff.
• Follow YMCA policies, Child Protection Standards, SC DSS Child Care Licensing Regulations, and established health, safety, sanitation, and emergency procedures.
• Assist with maintaining clean, organized, and sanitary classrooms, learning materials, toys, equipment, and common spaces.
• Identify and promptly report health, safety, behavioral, facility, or maintenance concerns to appropriate staff.
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff and administrators to provide consistent, high-quality care and classroom coverage.
• Welcome children and families and support positive daily communication while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is committed to creating environments where children are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Employees and volunteers who directly supervise children are expected to:

• Adhere to YMCA policies regarding professional boundaries with youth.
• Attend all required Abuse Risk Management and Child Protection trainings.
• Follow established procedures for supervising children and managing high-risk activities.
• Immediately report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Comply with all mandated reporting requirements and child protection protocols.
• Follow all YMCA and Praesidium standards related to child abuse prevention and youth protection.
• Every employee shares responsibility for protecting the children and families entrusted to our care.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must meet the minimum age, education, and other qualifications for child care staff established by SC DSS Child Care Licensing Regulations.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred or required based on applicable SC DSS requirements.
• Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged children preferred.
• Ability to interact positively and patiently with young children and support developmentally appropriate classroom practices.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow instructions, maintain confidentiality, and respond appropriately to safety and emergency situations.
• Current CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or the ability to obtain required certifications within established timeframes.
• Must successfully complete all required background screenings, health requirements, and training and comply with SC DSS and YMCA policies and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed primarily in an active early childhood classroom with regular indoor and outdoor activities.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit on the floor, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, carry, push, pull, and actively participate in classroom activities.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and assist children, classroom materials, and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Requires continuous visual and auditory supervision of children and the ability to respond promptly to safety concerns and emergencies.
• Frequently assists with classroom setup, cleanup, sanitation, meals, rest periods, toileting/diapering, and other daily care routines.
• May be exposed to moderate noise levels, cleaning and sanitizing products, outdoor weather conditions, and common childhood illnesses.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.