Full-Time Assistant Child Care Teacher

Penobscot Bay YMCA | Rockport, Maine

Love Working with Kids? Come Grow With Us!

Some of the most important work happens on the floor building block towers, reading a favorite story for the tenth time, helping a child learn to share, exploring outside, making wonderfully messy art, and celebrating the little moments that are actually very big moments.

At the Penobscot Bay YMCA, we're looking for a Full-Time Assistant Child Care Teacher to join our early childhood team in Rockport.

You'll work alongside experienced Lead Teachers to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging classroom where children can learn, play, build confidence, and thrive. If you genuinely enjoy working with children and want to be part of a supportive team doing meaningful work, we'd love to meet you.

Great Benefits. Meaningful Work. A Schedule You Can Count On.

We know meaningful work matters—but so do good benefits, time away from work, and having a schedule that allows you to enjoy life outside of work.

As a full-time member of our team, you'll enjoy:

• $500 Sign-On Bonus — paid in two installments: $250 after 3 months and $250 after 6 months of employment
• $240+ Monthly State of Maine Child Care Workforce Stipend — currently available in addition to your regular hourly wage
• 3 Weeks of Paid Time Off Annually — earned throughout the year
•  Two Fully Paid Closure Weeks Each Year — No PTO Required! Enjoy one paid closure week during the summer and another during the holiday season without using your earned PTO. 
• Monday-Friday Schedule — enjoy your evenings and weekends with family and friends; no nights or weekend shifts
• Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance
• FREE YMCA Family Membership — a $960 annual value
• 50% Discount on YMCA Child Care Programs
• 20% Discount on YMCA Programs
• Retirement Plan with a generous YMCA employer contribution after two years

It's a benefits package designed to support you both at work and outside of it.

What You'll Do

As an Assistant Child Care Teacher, you'll be part of the everyday moments that help children learn, grow, and discover the world around them. You'll:

• Inspire curiosity through hands-on learning and play.
• Help children learn, grow, and build confidence.
• Support engaging classroom activities alongside experienced Lead Teachers.
• Encourage creativity, kindness, and positive social interactions.
• Build meaningful relationships with children and their families.
• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.

Who We're Looking For

You don't have to know everything on day one. We're looking for someone who brings a genuine passion for working with children, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and grow.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• A commitment to providing safe, nurturing, and compassionate care
• A history of responsible, ethical, and professional conduct
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification required; training will be provided for candidates who are able to successfully complete the certification course
• Child Abuse Prevention Training within 30 days of hire
• Previous experience working with children in an early childhood or developmental setting preferred
• A willingness to work toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Infant/Toddler Credential
• The ability to create engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds is a plus
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers
• A commitment to creating an inclusive environment and supporting children of all abilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Essential Functions

As an Assistant Child Care Teacher, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide active supervision of children at all times to ensure a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing age-appropriate educational activities that encourage learning through play.
• Foster positive relationships with children by encouraging curiosity, creativity, confidence, and respectful interactions.
• Support children with guidance, encouragement, and redirection using positive behavior management techniques.
• Observe children's growth and development and assist with ongoing documentation and developmental assessments.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom that meets YMCA, DHHS licensing, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Follow all YMCA policies, licensing regulations, health and safety procedures, and ADA accommodation requirements.
• Build positive, professional relationships with families while maintaining open and respectful communication.
• Participate in staff meetings, required trainings, and ongoing professional development.
• Assist with classroom housekeeping, daily routines, meal service, transitions, and other program responsibilities.
• Support the overall success of the Child Care program by performing other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Working with young children is active, energetic, and rewarding! This position requires someone who is comfortable participating in all aspects of a busy early childhood classroom.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This position requires the ability to:

• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds multiple times throughout the day
• Frequently bend, kneel, twist, and move about the classroom
• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities during all seasons
• See and hear well enough to supervise children and respond to their needs
• Safely intervene when necessary to protect the well-being of children
• Actively lead and participate in classroom activities, games, and learning experiences

Every Child Deserves Someone Who Believes in Them.

Early childhood teachers do so much more than care for children. They help children feel safe, capable, curious, and confident—and those experiences can last a lifetime.

If you're looking for meaningful full-time work, great benefits, generous paid time off, a Monday-Friday schedule, and the opportunity to make a difference in your community, we'd love to welcome you to the Penobscot Bay YMCA team.

Apply today and help shape tomorrow—one child at a time.