What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Group Supervisor position at YWCA York?
Summary:
This position is responsible for maintaining the high quality, developmentally appropriate standards as set forth by YWCA policies, Keystone Stars standards, NAEYC Accreditation criteria, and the ERS Assessment scores and regular management of DHS regulations. Additional duties may be added as standards for high quality are met or change.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Children need to be supervised by sight and sound and all children need to be accounted for at all times. Frequent counts, visual checks, and constant focus on the needs of the children are requirements for this position.
- Engage children in respectful, meaningful and interactive conversations and experiences throughout the day.
- Assess and document children’s development and interactions with others and materials during classroom routines. Assess the children's learning needs through documented observations, gears the program to the needs of the individual child, consider the individual child in his/her cultural and socioeconomic background, and helps each child to understand his/her value in the group.
- Encourage children’s independence and promote self help activities such as; cleaning up their areas, using materials and supplies appropriately, self serving food and snacks, managing classroom cleaning and tidiness, caring for pets and plants and other classroom duties to promote community. Provides children with experiences, which build self-esteem, encourages self-reliance, and helps each child to function cooperatively in a group.
- Must be trained to be a Mandated Reporter. Daily health checks are essential to monitor children’s health and safety. Any suspicion of abuse, neglect or any inappropriate treatment of a child needs to be reported directly to Child Line as soon as possible.
- Current knowledge of child development and appropriate early learning strategies for teaching and assessment is expected. Professional Development needs are the responsibility of each employee with the support of YWCA York when available.
- Interact with children and manage child behavior in a calm, empathetic and supportive manner. Guiding children’s appropriate behavior is the expectation.
- Maintain confidential practices including children’s names, medical information, disability, family situations, records etc. This must be respected at all times.
- Create a culture of acceptance and understanding with all children, co-workers and families. Act as an advocate for children and families and work with children to be activist for things they are passionate about. Promote an anti bias environment and challenge injustice wherever it may exist within programs.
- Manages children with unique needs such as; dual/English language learning, individualized plans due to special needs, allergies, homelessness, incarcerated parents etc. Works with Family Relations Coordinator to provide necessary resources to families and with the Center Director to support the child’s needs.
- Develop professional relationships with families of children; value their contributions to their children’s development and learning and infuse their culture into the classroom curriculum. Confers and with parents, and communicates necessary information in a professional manner.
- Participate in community and family engagement events impacting our children and families. Attend all necessary staff meetings and in-service days.
- All employees working with children are required to review all of the Guidance Manual and Family Handbook procedures and practice them as outlined.
- Serves meals and refreshments to children under CACFP regulations.
- Maintains personal cleanliness, including washing hands after toilet, nose wiping and before preparing and or serving lunches and snacks.
- Performs general housekeeping tasks. Keeps room environment and general spaces safe and clean. Reports maintenance and safety concerns to Director, as needed.
- Maintains high level of job integrity and professionalism while adhering to ethical code of conduct. Works professionally with all community members, co-workers, and other departments of YWCA York.
- Completes 24 hours of training annually as assigned including fire safety, emergency safety, food program training, and water safety training annually. Maintains current Pediatric CPR and First Aid.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
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An assistant group supervisor shall have attained one of the following qualification levels:
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and a completed Child Development Associate certificate.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate, including 600 or more hours of secondary training.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate, 15 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of experience with children.
- A high school diploma or a general education development certificate and completion of a post-secondary training curriculum.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 2 years’ experience with children.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
YWCA York adheres to NAEYC and Pennsylvania Keystone Stars standards of teacher excellence; and, therefore requires and supports teachers in being life long learners. These standards require all teachers to have specialized college- level coursework in best practices. Teachers will be expected to further their own education to become highly qualified professionals. YWCA York offers educational assistance as funds are available for educational programs like CDA programs, professional workshops and tuition reimbursement for post-secondary degrees.
Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
Competencies:
- Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences
- Works with integrity and ethically upholds organizational values.
- Approaches others in a tactful manner;
- Reacts well under pressure;
- Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
- Observes safety and security procedures.
- Adapts to changes in the work environment.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift, push, and/or pull up to 25-50 pounds.
- Frequent standing, sitting and walking