Early Childhood Program Assistant Jobs in Delaware

Our Promise:

Ensure every youth and teen we serve is on a pathway to success
Improve the health and wellbeing of every individual and family we serve
Unite communities and inspire service to others

Benefits & Perks:

12% Employer-Funded Retirement Plan upon meeting eligibility
Learning and development workshops
Career advancement opportunities
Staff Discounts on Programs & Services and more!

Rate of pay: $15.78 - $23.67.  Final compensation is based on factors such as skills, qualifications, and experience.

Essential Responsibilities

• Supervise the children, classroom, and all activities as assigned while exhibiting safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate child care practices.
• Provide daily care for children including diapering, toileting, feeding, and supporting social/emotional needs.
• Encourage, engage and support children in all classroom activities including instructional times, meal times, transitions, and gross motor activities.
• Implement positive behavior management techniques.
• Plan, implement and actively participate in daily age-appropriate classroom activities to ensure all children are provided an opportunity to learn.
• Observe children and document their progress and development.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, branch administration, and parents to develop & maintain positive relationships that encourage collaboration, consistency and increase parent participation.
• Ensure the facility and all equipment is clean, well-maintained, and safe on a daily basis.
• Complete and maintain required program documentation including, but not limited to, attendance, meal counts, and daily parent communication.
• Attend and actively participate in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development trainings.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

To meet licensing requirements, the Early Childhood Teacher must be at least 18 years of age and must meet one of the following qualifications:

Option 1: At least a high school degree or its equivalent and successful completion of both “Training for Early Care and Education 1 & 2” and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 2: At least a high school degree or its equivalent and a valid Child Development Associate Credential that is current and has not expired and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 3: At least a high school degree or its equivalent and successful completion of the Delaware Department of Labor’s Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 4: At least a high school degree or its equivalent and successful completion of nine college/university credits - three in early childhood education, three in child development and three in positive behavior management and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 5: At least a high school degree with successful completion of a vocational/technical high school three year program in early childhood education approved by Delaware’s Department of Education and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 6: At least a high school degree or its equivalent and a Montessori Infant and Toddler Full/Associate Credential or a Montessori Early Childhood Full/Associate Credential from a MACTE approved training program and twelve months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Option 7: An Associate or Bachelor Degree from a regionally accredited college or university with six credits from a regionally accredited college or university in child development or early childhood education and three months of supervised student teaching or six months of experience working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

• Complete a physical & tuberculosis screening and provide a physician’s documentation of both within 30 days of hire.
• Successful completion of a criminal history, child abuse & adult abuse background check as required by the State of Delaware.
• Proficient active listening skills to understand and adapt to the various needs of children and parents.
• Patience and compassion suitable for working with young children.
• Ability to provide activities for children that encourage healthy development.
• Ability to exercise control and maintain classroom discipline.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children.
• Be mentally and physically capable of caring for a large group of children alone in a classroom.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills
• Prior experience working with youth in a group setting. 
• Develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds, 
• Flexible and willing to accommodate the needs of the early childhood community and staff team. 
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops. 
• Ability to persuade and influence others. 
• Knowledge of early childhood /school age education programs and techniques,  
• Knowledge of child development theory and practice. 
• Have an awareness of the unique needs of young children and have appropriate expectations of their abilities. 
• Preference will be given to candidates who can work either 5 mornings, 5 afternoons or both to ensure continuity of care for our students.

The YMCA of Delaware is an equal opportunity employer.  The Y maintains a work environment in which staff are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.  In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit,  hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.