Part-Time Assistant Child Care Teacher

Do you love encouraging young minds to grow? Do you have experience working with children? Are you creative, compassionate, and ready to make a difference every single day? Join our childcare team at the Penobscot Bay and Rockland Harbor YMCA, where we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing space to grow, play, and learn.

We’re currently hiring a Part-time Assistant Childcare Teacher. Our childcare centers are open Monday - Friday during daytime hours, and this position has the potential to grow into a full-time role.

What You’ll Do:
As an Assistant Childcare Teacher, you’ll support our licensed early childhood program by:

• Supervising and engaging with children during classroom activities
• Supporting educational lessons planned by Lead Teachers
• Creating a welcoming, developmentally appropriate environment
• Ensuring compliance with YMCA policies, DHHS regulations, and safety standards
• Assisting with observations, record-keeping, and day-to-day classroom duties
• Building positive connections with children, families, and fellow staff
• Floating to cover other classrooms when necessary

What We’re Looking For:

• Creativity, reliability, and a love for working with children
• High school diploma or GED
• A willingness to learn, grow, and work as part of a mission-driven team
• Ability to pass all background checks (if over age 18) and complete onboarding training

Why Join Us?

• Retirement Program – Access to retirement on Day 1, with potential eligibility for a 10% match from the YMCA after two years.
• Membership Perks – Enjoy a free, individual annual YMCA membership ($696 value!)
• A Role That Makes a Difference – The Penobscot Bay YMCA is a community cornerstone where all people can connect, grow, and thrive, and you are a vital part of that vision.
• This role also currently comes with a $240+ monthly bonus from the state.

Essential Functions

• Supervise the children, classroom, and all program activities.
• Facilitate daily age-appropriate, educational lessons, with guidance from Lead Teachers and Child Care Director.
• Follow all procedures and standards as established by the law or the Y; make ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintain the program site, equipment, and required program records.
• Be aware of and adhere to all YMCA policies, DHHS licensing regulations, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Create a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth.
• Provide appropriate guidance to children in need of redirection and relate well to children of all abilities.
• Assist in ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
• Participate in basic housekeeping duties during classroom time.
• Attend and participate in program activities, staff meetings, and ongoing staff training.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including floating to cover other classrooms when needed.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to provide safe and compassionate services, and a history of honest and lawful conduct.
• Previous experience working with children in a developmental setting is preferred.
• Work towards a CDA or Infant/Toddler Credential.
• Ability to implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities.
• Previous experience with diverse populations.
• Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Completion of all YMCA required training during the Onboarding process, including Child Sexual Abuse Prevention.
• Valid Certification for Adult/Pediatric CPR, First Aid, AED, or equivalent (such as Wilderness First Aid or Basic Life Support) or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire (certification is provided by the Y).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

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

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds multiple times each day.
• Must be able to perform frequent twisting, bending, and kneeling.
• Must, with reasonable accommodations, be able to see and hear well enough to respond to classroom needs.
• Must have sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and supervise activities in various indoor and outdoor locations.
• Must be able to manage and de-escalate unsafe behavior if necessary.
• This role requires exposure to the outdoor environment during all seasons.
• Noise in the working environment is usually moderate, with occasional exposure to decibel levels between 85-110 dBA.