Child Care Training and Curriculum Specialist

Summary:
This position is located within Armed Services YMCA Child Development Center. The purpose of this position is to provide and deliver a comprehensive training program to CDC employees that support the professional requirements of their positions and to assist with the implementation of a developmentally appropriate program that fosters the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years to promote school readiness. A comprehensive CDC training program correlates to the quality of developmental programs for children which in turn directly affects the ability of military parents to complete mission requirements.

Salary commensurate with experience ($62,610 - $70,958 annually)

Duties and Responsibilities :
Training

• Orients new employees to the Child Development Center (CDC) system and provides them with basic information that can be applied in all settings.
• Works with CDC Director and CDC Assistant Directors to establish training plans and schedules for employee and provider training. Arranges for all training opportunities, including training of management, administration, food service, and direct staff.
• Provides training that is appropriate for and tailored to the age group of the children with whom the CDC employee's work.
• Executes the Department of Defense (DoD) Standardized Module Training, provides initial and ongoing annual training, and ensures training is available to support career progression. Arranges for subject matter experts to conduct/support specialized training.
• Ensures completion and documentation of required monthly training. Works with CDC leadership team to ensure modules are completed.
• Identifies additional training needs.
• Maintains training records and individual development plans. Prepares training status reports and recommendations to supervisors and notifies CDC Executive Director and CDC Assistant Directors of employees' and providers' training status and performance.
• Develops programs that encourage and support the pursuit of continuing higher education by documenting requirements for completion of the Child Development Associate (CDA) and providing information, assistance and guidance to employees and providers who are seeking college-level classes to meet their professional goals.
• Assists the CDC leadership team to encourage staff to become accredited.
• Develops a working relationship with local colleges, universities and professional organizations and advises employees about continuing avenues of professional development.

Classroom/Program Support

• Ensures that the required ELM curriculum is implemented (i.e., supports implementation and execution of the curriculum within the Child Development Center (CDC), including assisting CDC Assistant Directors and Teachers by documenting observations and assessments, evaluating classroom environments, reviewing weekly activity plans, and providing additional training when needed).
• Must be comfortable with using the computer and have functional knowledge of word Virtual Lab School (VLS), Microsoft Office, ProCare or other Child Care Management System, ELM Curriculum and all other programs or assessments that will be used in the program.
• Coordinates programming that supports the child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development regardless of setting or length of time in care.
• Ensures the quality and consistency of developmental programming to include the environment, equipment, materials, program structure, curriculum, risk management practices, and oversight and coordination of activity schedules and lesson plans.
• Role models appropriate behaviors and techniques working with children.
• Observes program settings throughout all hours of operation to assess employee competency and direct training needs for groups and/or individuals. Provides feedback to employees and supervisors.
• Works with CDC Assistant Directors and Teachers to evaluate classroom or activity area environments and makes recommendations to the CDC Director/ Executive Director for the selection of developmentally appropriate toys, materials and equipment.
• Maintains a resource file library to aid employees in preparing lesson plans and activity schedules and to assist with training objectives.
• Reviews lesson plans to ensure they are appropriate and based on curriculum requirements. Provides daily assistance with plans if needed.
• Assists in and supports development and implementation of parent education and parent participation programs.

Compliance

• Provides training to CDC employees so they can ensure classroom and activity area compliance with fire, safety, and sanitation rules and regulation.
• Provides support for CDC employees in preparing for inspections and accreditation.
• Carries out EEO policies and communicates support of those policies to CDC employees.

Additional Responsibilities

• In the absence of the CDC Director / Executive Director, incumbents may assume the responsibilities of the CDC Director and perform duties and requirements of the position.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the English language. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Works under the general supervision of the assigned CDC Director who will provide oversight and assistance with problems of an unusual nature or issues that require major policy decisions.
• Responsible for training all assigned CDC employees and provides training and support.
• Expected to operate independently with minimum supervision.
• Must be able to work independently and be accountable for his/her actions.
• Must be able to work with curriculum and produce reports.
• Must make an accurate assessment and respond accordingly to ensure the daily effectiveness of Center programs.
• Incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect.
• Has constant contact with staff. Must be a team player in helping ASYMCA achieve its overall goals and objectives working with military families.
• High energy, proactive, excellent communicator and interested in challenging opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A 4-year degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, Home Economics (early childhood emphasis) or related field of study AND 3 years of full-time experience working with children 6 weeks – 5 years.

OR

• A Master's degree in the related field of study AND minimum of 1-year professional experience working with children 6 weeks – 5 years.

OR

• A combination of education and experience (e.g. courses equivalent to a major in a field (24 higher level semester hours) appropriate to the position (see above) plus appropriate experience or additional course work that that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above AND 3 years of full-time experience working with children 6 weeks – 5 years.
• Must have experience providing comprehensive training programs in childcare.
• Must be comfortable with using the computer and have functional knowledge of Virtual Lab School (VLS), Microsoft Office, ProCare, ELM Curriculum and all other programs or assessments that will be used in the program.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to independently manage a developmentally appropriate program for the age groups served.
• Knowledge and background of early childhood programs including principles, practices and techniques of child and youth development.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Knowledge of the NAEYC accreditation criteria.
• Knowledge of the interests and motivation of individuals and groups.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and implementing a variety of programs.
• Skill to develop curriculum outlines, courses of study lesson plans/guides, and to conduct training workshops.
• Ability to provide guidance and leadership to employees and providers.
• Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations including evacuations, child illness, and physical and emotional disorders.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Must participate in continued professional development through enrollment in formal and informal educational courses related to early childhood education.
• The position is subject to special inoculation and immunization requirements as a condition of employment for working with children. Employee is required to obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases, which includes the influenza vaccine.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease.
• Satisfactorily complete all background checks.
• Must satisfactorily obtain or complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by federal, state or National Accreditation institutions as used by the CDC.
• Experience in leadership managing a DoD child development center is preferred.

Armed Service YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ASYMCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws of regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. ASYMCA encourages applicants of all ages.

Military spouses, veterans and military affiliated job seekers encouraged to apply.

Armed Services YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ASYMCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. ASYMCA encourages applicants of all ages.

Armed Services YMCA acknowledges the minimal use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in our initial recruitment stages. All AI use is coupled with human review and is designed to assist our team in building efficiencies and excelling at focusing on timeliness and communication in our hiring process. Our hiring teams thoroughly evaluate skills and qualifications and make all final hiring decisions.