Child Care - Aide

The Child Care Aide supports the Group Supervisor and Assistant Group Supervisor in providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment. This position assists with daily activities, classroom supervision, positive behavior guidance, and maintaining an orderly and welcoming program space.

Essential responsibilities include:

- Supervise and interact appropriately with children to support their safety, well-being, and development.

- Assist with developmentally appropriate classroom activities that promote confidence, independence, and positive self-esteem.

- Use positive guidance, redirection, and age-appropriate conflict-resolution techniques.

- Help maintain established classroom routines, expectations, and reasonable limits.

- Participate fully in program activities, including field trips, swimming, meal service, and special events.

- Assist with cleaning and maintaining classrooms and other program areas, including wiping tables, sweeping, vacuuming, and organizing materials.

- Greet parents and direct questions or concerns to the appropriate classroom or center supervisor.

- Immediately report concerns involving children, staff members, or program operations to the Child Care Director.

- Maintain the confidentiality of children, families, and program records.

- Coordinate with other staff members regarding activities, schedules, breaks, and required staff-to-child ratios.

- Attend required staff meetings, training programs, and professional-development activities.

- Maintain required training records and complete annual training requirements.

- Follow all YMCA policies, Pennsylvania child care regulations, risk-management requirements, and applicable program standards.

- Demonstrate the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

- Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, compliant, and high-quality child care operations.

Qualifications

- Must meet at least one of the following education and experience requirements:

High school diploma or GED; or

- Eighth-grade education and at least two years of experience working with children; or

- Eighth-grade education and enrollment in an approved training curriculum.

- Must meet the aide qualifications established under Pennsylvania child care regulations.

- Ability to communicate positively and professionally with children, families, and staff.

- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and respond appropriately to supervision.

- Demonstrated good judgment, flexibility, emotional maturity, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow established policies and procedures.

- Willingness to participate in required training and professional development.

- Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, reach, and engage actively with children throughout the workday.

- Ability to lift or move items weighing up to 60 pounds.

- Ability to respond promptly to a child requiring assistance, including reaching a child located up to 30 feet away within 10 seconds.

- Must satisfy all YMCA and Pennsylvania child care employment requirements, including required clearances, health documentation, and mandated training.