Preschool Teacher

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Robert K. Fox Family YMCA is seeking a caring, dependable, and engaging Preschool Lead Teacher to create a high-quality early learning experience for young children. This role leads a preschool classroom where children are supported in their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through developmentally appropriate instruction, positive relationships, and a safe, nurturing environment. The Preschool Lead Teacher plays an important role in promoting school readiness, partnering with families, and helping children thrive each day.

WHY JOIN THE YMCA

At the YMCA, we believe in strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We are committed to creating a welcoming, mission-driven workplace where staff make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families every day. Our team members are expected to model caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility while helping create a positive, inclusive, and child-centered environment.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

1. Lead and manage a preschool classroom by creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, structured, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for all children. 2. Plan, prepare, and implement engaging curriculum, lesson plans, and classroom experiences that support early childhood development, school readiness, and the YMCA's mission and values. 3. Provide active supervision and positive guidance for children throughout all aspects of the program day, including classroom activities, meals, transitions, rest time, outdoor play, and special events. 4. Build positive relationships with children, families, and staff, and communicate regularly with families regarding classroom activities, child development, and individual needs. 5. Observe, document, and support each child's developmental progress and maintain accurate records, including attendance, lesson plans, child observations, family communication, and incident documentation. 6. Guide and support assistant teachers, substitutes, and classroom aides to ensure consistency in supervision, classroom routines, and program quality. 7. Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, child abuse prevention standards, Ohio child care licensing regulations, and all health, safety, ratio, confidentiality, and release procedures. 8. Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities, and maintain all required certifications and credentials. 9. Support family engagement opportunities, YMCA events, and other program activities as assigned. 10. Perform other duties as assigned by the director or leadership team.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for a candidate who brings strong classroom leadership, a passion for early childhood education, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for children and families. Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet the qualifications for a Lead Preschool Teacher in accordance with Ohio child care licensing requirements.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification, or ability to obtain within required timeframe.
• Must be able to pass a nationwide criminal background check and sex offender registry screening.
• Must demonstrate the ability to create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate preschool environment.
• Must ensure that the physical and social environments for program delivery reflect the Y's mission, character values, and standards for child safety. Preferred Qualifications
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Previous experience as a lead teacher in a licensed preschool or child care setting.
• Experience with lesson planning, child observations, and developmental assessments.
• Familiarity with Ohio child care licensing standards, quality improvement practices, and family engagement best practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Required Knowledge, Skills & Certifications

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with children, families, staff, volunteers, and community members.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
• Ability to plan and implement preschool curriculum, classroom routines, and child-centered learning experiences.
• Ability to manage classroom behavior positively and maintain a nurturing, structured, and well-supervised learning environment.
• Ability to observe and document child development and communicate effectively with families and supervisors. Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Certifications
• Experience using developmental assessment tools, lesson planning systems, or child progress documentation methods in a licensed preschool setting.
• Familiarity with Ohio child care licensing standards, quality improvement practices, and family engagement strategies.
• Additional early childhood training or certifications relevant to preschool instruction, child guidance, or classroom management.

Pay:

$18.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person