Lead Teacher

## Description

**Organization:** YMCA of Indiana County

**Pay:** $17.00 per hour

**Job Type:** Full-time

The YMCA of Indiana County is seeking a dedicated **Lead Teacher** to join our Licensed Childcare Program. In this role, you will lead the classroom, nurture the potential of every child, and serve as a key contributor to our goal of being the leading childcare provider across Indiana County.

**What You’ll Do:**

• **Classroom Leadership:** Plan and submit weekly lesson plans that encourage emotional, social, cognitive, language, and physical development through play and structured activities.
• **Team Guidance:** Supervise, support, and collaborate with Assistant Teachers and Aides in your classroom, including developing schedules to maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
• **Child Safety & Care:** Maintain a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment while ensuring full compliance with PA Department of Human Services regulations and YMCA quality standards.
• **Assessments & Documentation:** Complete required 45-day child assessments, maintain neat and accurate child files, and keep classroom records up to date.
• **Family Engagement:** Build positive relationships with families, prepare for and conduct parent-teacher conferences, and lead tours for prospective childcare families.

**Physical Requirements:**

• Ability to actively participate in floor activities, sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, crouch, and reach.
• Regularly lift up to 35 lbs and occasionally exert up to 50 lbs of force to move equipment or assist children.
• Visually supervise children and respond promptly to alarms or emergencies in both indoor and outdoor settings.

## Qualifications
**Education & Licensing:**

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (or meet qualifications as permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services under 55 PA Code Chapter 3270).
• Knowledge of child development, lesson planning, and positive behavior management techniques.
• Experience developing curriculum and using Microsoft Office is preferred.

**Core Competencies & Skills:**

• Strong communication, leadership, and organization skills with a patient and professional demeanor.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation.
• Alignment with YMCA core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

**Clearances & Mandatory Hiring Requirements:**

• **At Time of Hire:** DHS Fingerprint, State Police PATCH, PA Child Abuse Clearance, Mandated Reporter training, and completed Disclosure Statement.
• **Health Requirements:** Current Staff Health Assessment and negative TB test documentation.
• **Certifications:** Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED and Great American Academy certifications (required within 90 days of hire).
• **Training:** Completion of all required PA DHS pre-service training modules.