Job Details

Early Education Apprentice Program (EEAP) ONLY - 2025/2026

Job Category: Head Start - Early Childhood Impact

Position Summary:

These general functions will be carried out in keeping with the Goals, Mission and Policies of the YMCA of the East Bay. Apprentice Teacher Assistants are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the center by providing high quality and responsive care to children and families in a setting that is inclusive for children of all abilities. Apprentice Teacher Assistants contribute to services that are aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, rules and regulations determined by the California Departments of Education and Social Services, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Community Care Licensing. Apprentice Teacher Assistants provide support in multiple ways to include: supporting primary teachers in the classroom, provide staff breaks and/or covering classrooms as needed, and/or provide Food Service.

Apprentice Teacher Assistants must be in the company of qualified Teachers at all times until they successfully attain 6 core college units of Early Childhood Education.

Apprentice Teacher Assistants are considered in training and must complete 12 units of early childhood education within 12 months of hire or during their training period. This will be supported and tracked by the Workforce Success team.

Essential Functions:

1. Assist Teachers in planning, preparing, and implementing learning activities that meet curriculum goals for individuals or groups of children.
2. Provide guidance and active supervision to children during all program activities.
3. Interact with children using intentional and responsive verbal and non-verbal strategies.
4. Assist Teachers in collecting photos and anecdotes to document children's learning.
5. Assist Teachers by accompanying them during Home Visits with families, when requested.
6. Assist Teachers by covering classroom ratios and supervision during break times, lunch times, and meeting/paperwork time.
7. Create warm and welcoming relationships with children and families.
8. Assist Teachers in maintaining stimulating, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom and outdoor environments. This may include daily monitoring and inspection of physical environments.
9. Assist families in signing in and out accurately, as well as maintain accurate attendance, head count, meal count, and Infant Toddler daily records.
10. Provide food, dishes, utensils, and other supplies to each classroom in time for meal service. Clean and sanitize dishes and utensils after every use.
11. Assist with food preparation based on what is indicated on the daily menu utilizing health and sanitation procedures including washing hands, using gloves, and sanitizing food preparation areas properly.
12. Clean and sanitize materials and equipment, including thermometers before and after every use.
13. Attend meetings and trainings as required.
14. Create and implement a work plan as assigned by supervisor.
15. Seek direction from supervisor if unclear about any work assignment.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Measure of Effectiveness:

1. The knowledge and implementation of relevant/required program procedures.
2. The sound administration of systems and records that are up-to-date and accurate.
3. A healthy and safe workplace and school environment.
4. Positive outcomes for children and families that are aligned with program goals.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• The employee is often required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is required to work outdoors daily.
• Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies.

Leadership Competencies:

• Inclusion
• Communication and Influence
• Emotional Maturity

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, unless enrolled through an academic institution
• One year of Early Childhood classroom experience preferred, but not required, volunteer or paid experience will be considered
• Ability to work effectively in a high stress environment
• Pre-employment physical examination and TB clearance
• Proof of immunization for Covid-19, Measles and Pertussis, Flu vaccination recommended but not required
• LiveScan fingerprint and criminal record clearance.
• Current certificates for Pediatric First Aid and CPR, including a total of 15 hours of preventative health and safety training or completion of this training within 90 days of hire
• Must be able to communicate in English with proficiency, bilingual or multilingual preferred
• Experience working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and other computer programs

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.