Early Childhood Education Intern

Greater Philadelphia YMCA Employment Opportunity!

POSITION PURPOSE 

The Early Childhood Intern will have a chance to learn, grow, and assist in a Greater Philadelphia YMCA Early Learning Center. The intern will learn under the Lead Teacher and the entire staff. All interns will leave with a better understanding of how to develop and maintain a successful Early Learning Center.

The Early Childhood Intern will assist in maintaining supervision of children in direct care at all times; ensure a safe environment; assist and engage in the implementation of daily age/developmentally appropriate activities and engagement in positive staff/child/member interactions. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Read and be accountable for YMCA Policies, State Licensing Body (PA- DHS / NJ-NJ OOL) regulations, and Quality Rating System standards (Example: NAEYC, Keystone STARS, Grow NJ Kids). 
• Assist in supervision by being able to identify, SEE, HEAR, DIRECT and ASSIST to ensure the safety of children at all times. Adhere to small group/ratio established by the State Licensing Body. Assist in accurately maintaining attendance of the children in your care. 
• Assist in offering effective communication with parents/guardians regarding children's program experience, progress (written as well as verbal). Maintain confidentiality, use sensitivity, and patience at all times. 
• Assist in offering quality Adult/Child interactions through engagement, positive and encouraging feedback, and asking open-ended questions. Maintain age appropriate verbal interaction guidelines at all times; exercising patience. 
• Maintain knowledge of GPY Association policies and procedures, risk management, safety practices and applicable laws. 
• Know the YMCA mission and be able to articulate it. 
• Assist in ensuring that centers are maintained with quality learning materials, organized accordingly in labeled containers associated with appropriate Learning Center. 
• Assist with maintaining control of environments that build children’s self-esteem. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques for redirection as a form of behavior management. 
• Assist in accurately maintaining daily attendance records, emergency contact binders, and allergy reports. 
• Assist in maintaining compliant paperwork (timesheets, parent/guardian communication, incident reports, weekly reports, child observation reports).  
• Accompany and support the Assistant Group Supervisor or Group Supervisor with planning, preparation and implementation of daily program activities. 
• Assist in developing new activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate.
• Learn and assist with curriculum building.

ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 

• At least 18 years old
• High school graduate or equivalent defined in DHS regulations.  
• Or enrolled in a minimum of 2 years of child development coursework approved by DHS.
• Enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and experience working with children.
• Ability to deal effectively with inappropriate behavior and recognize hazard situations.

OUR CULTURE
At the YMCA we value CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in personal character and behavior and believe that they are essential to attaining our mission 

OUR MISSION
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO HEALTHIER LIVES

The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. The Y considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable laws.