Why You'll Love Working with Us:

Do you love working with infants, creating a warm and nurturing space where they feel safe, loved, and ready to explore? At the Y, we value early childhood professionals and provide the support and benefits you deserve. Join our team and enjoy a fulfilling career with great benefits!

• Competitive Pay – Earn $22.00–$25.00/hour based on your experience and qualifications.
• Professional Development – Enjoy 8 in-service days dedicated to training, team meetings, and curriculum planning.
• Time Off – Get 15 paid vacation days, 6 paid holidays, and 3 weeks of Paid Time Off in your first year.
• Balanced Workload – One dedicated planning day each week.
• Y Perks – Free YMCA membership and discounts on programs and camps.
• Health Coverage – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Loan Forgiveness – Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Growth Opportunities – Ongoing professional development and career advancement.
• The City is Our Playground – Our location in the heart of Burlington means children get hands-on learning experiences exploring the waterfront, beaches, woods, and Church Street.
   

What You'll Do:

• Develop and implement a curriculum that promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development for young children. 
• Partner with colleagues and external providers to address individual children's needs and ensure the best learning outcomes.
• Supervise Teacher Associate, Teacher Assistant, and Classroom Assistant roles, helping set goals and providing feedback.
• Lead classroom routines and activities while maintaining an engaging and organized environment.
• Build positive relationships with families and keep them informed of their child’s progress and milestones.
• Maintain observation records for children and complete two family conferences each year.
• Oversee child safety during all activities, ensuring a secure and nurturing environment.
• Participate in field trips, swim lessons, and gym activities as part of the program.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to state childcare licensing requirements.
• Keep up with professional development and complete at least 18 hours of training each year.
• Foster the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility in everything you do.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 20 years of age or older
• One year of experience working with children
• Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprinting

Must possess one of the following:

• A Vermont Early Childhood Career Level Ladder IIIIA or IIIIB Certificate
• Bachelors degree with a major concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary or Special Education with a birth to age eight focus or Child and Family Services
• Bachelor degree in any field with a successful competition of thirty college credits with an early childhood or school age focus

• Preferred Qualifications: 
• A current Vermont Agency of Education teaching license with an endorsement in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, or Elementary Education. Early Childhood endorsement preferred. 
• Master’s degree in early childhood or a related field.
• Full-time experience working with children or youth in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 5, 10, and 15+ years.
• Coursework or certification in special education or behavioral intervention.
• 2+ years of direct full-time experience in special education or behavioral intervention.
• Formal training, certification, or equivalent experience in trauma-informed care, basic specialized care, child development, social work, or a related field, including professional development or coursework in trauma-informed practices.
• Completion of DEI-specific training, coursework, or certification, with a minimum of 40 hours or the equivalent of a college course.
• Experience supervising or mentoring teachers for 2+ years.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary for the role and are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in our care. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ability to effectively supervise and ensure the safety of children by maintaining visual and auditory awareness in various environments, including classrooms, outdoor play areas, and other program spaces.
• Ability to lift, carry, or support children up to 35 pounds as needed for care, safety, and engagement.
• Ability to engage in active participation in all aspects of the program, including assisting with activities such as swimming and gym lessons. This may involve frequent movement, such as kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of children, including in emergency situations