Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Company: YMCA of Rock River Valley
Location: Rockford
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description YOUR IMPACT This role is crucial to the mission of the Y, a leading nonprofit focused on strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Early Childhood Assistant Teacher supports the creation and execution of quality early childhood activities at the YMCA. This position involves helping each child's physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth. Along with the Lead Teacher, the Assistant Teacher ensures a positive experience for children and parents, emphasizing achievement and belonging. The role includes providing age-appropriate guidance and effectively implementing the daily curriculum. Regardless of your main classroom assignment, you'll assist with all age groups in the program. EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES Assists in daily program activities supporting a structured learning environment. Ensures high quality, developmentally appropriate practices and establishes new interactive learning opportunities. Assists in the creation of lesson plans that support age-appropriate growth and development. Works hands-on inside the program equipping and leading the children. Helps lead and develop new hires. Develops and maintains relationships with enrolled students. Creates an attentive, nurturing environment for participants in which they can thrive. May assist in the marketing and distribution of program information. Helps operate program within predetermined budget. Assures compliance with state and local regulations as they relate to program areas. Ensures that YMCA program standards are met and safety procedures followed. Provides for upkeep of assigned program facilities, supplies and equipment and ensures the physical environment is supportive for youth development. Develops and maintains effective relationships with parents. Responds to all parent and community inquiries and complaints in a timely manner as needed. Helps to maintain proper records such as incident reports, developmental screenings, and children’s files. Assists with developmental screening and milestone assessments, e.g., Ages and Stages questionnaires and Teaching Strategies Gold. Helps organize and deliver special events for parents and children. Responsible for all cleaning and sanitizing of the classrooms and equipment. Maintains tidiness of all activity spaces and classrooms. Provides an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation and other activities. Provides active and constant supervision at all times including free play, structured learning and nap time. Provides support to all classrooms and age-groups as needed. Ensures a strong focus on character development and diversity, equity and inclusion throughout programming. Reports damaged equipment or safety hazards promptly. Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Rock River Valley. SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION: 1 Position *All positions provide support to all age groups and classrooms based on staffing needs. Position 1: YMCA Children's Learning Center Full-Time, Non-Exempt Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Starting at $17.25 per hour (includes $15.00 base rate and $2.25 grant-funded differential) Wage differentials are contingent upon the continuation of funding received from the Smart Start Workforce Grant which is reviewed quarterly. Note: This position has a lead time of 6-8 weeks before placement. Regardless of your primary classroom placement, this role will be expected to assist with all ages in the program. QUALIFICATIONS DCFS Qualifications: Minimum age: 18 years High school diploma or equivalent required; degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred Experience working with children in a developmental setting preferred Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate activities independently Skilled in positive guidance and discipline, demonstrating emotional maturity, patience, and flexibility Strong listening skills and responsiveness to children’s needs Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom CPR, AED and First Aid Certifications required within 90 days Current Praesidium Academy trainings Upon Hire: Medical Release form CFS 602 filled out by physician, including proof of negative result of 2-step TB test Must submit to a DCFS background check (Form CFS 718-B) and be fingerprinted (if necessary) Provide a minimum of 3 written references Register with Gateways to Opportunity Ability to participate in a minimum of 15 clock hours of in-service training per calendar year Complete Mandated Reporter Training, as well as all required Gateways training per DCFS The Y is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer more than just a job, rather the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you. THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO WORKING AT THE Y: ALL STAFF BENEFITS: Discounted Programs & Services, Including Child Care Pay Differential for Bilingual Employees Paid Time Off: Paid Leave for All Workers Employee Crisis Fund Employee Assistance Program Cell Phone Discounts with Participating Providers Tickets At Work Discount Program 401 (a) Retirement Plan: 8% YMCA Contributed Retirement 403 (b) Savings Plan: Tax-Deferred Account and Roth Account Options For retirement plan eligibility requirements, and additional information, visit www.yretirement.org. FULL TIME STAFF BENEFITS: Free Family Membership 3 Paid Floating Holidays 10.5 Paid Holidays Paid Vacation and Sick Time: Varies by Employment Type Short-Term Disability Program Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance: Partially Employer Paid. Employee Contribution Required Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance: YMCA Sponsored and Employee Contribution Programs Available Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Insurance Plans: Employee Contribution Required Tuition Reimbursement: Must Meet Qualifications PART TIME STAFF BENEFITS: Free individual Membership Discounted Rate to Upgrade to Another Membership Category OUR CULTURE Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. OUR COMMITMENT TO BELONGING The Y is made up of people of all ages, from all walks of life, working side-by-side to strengthen communities. Together, we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith — they guide everything we do. OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUTH PROTECTION The YMCA of Rock River Valley has a responsibility to provide safe and secure programs and services for our community. The YMCA is a leader in child abuse prevention to support the safety of children in our care. You'll support the commitment of the YMCA to child abuse prevention by: Report any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor. Follow all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children. Report any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor. Complete all child abuse prevention training as required. The Y: We're for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility

Keywords: YMCA of Rock River Valley, Hoffman Estates , Early Childhood Assistant Teacher, Education / Teaching , Rockford, Illinois