Job Description
Job Location: Don Stathos Campus - Eugene, OR 97405
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $22.41 - $22.41 Hourly
Travel Percentage: None
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: EducationJob Title: Youth Development Early Learning Head Teacher
Department: Youth Development
Classification: Full time, non-exempt
Reports to: Youth Teen and Family Director
Ages: 3 - 5 years
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.
Position Summary
The Early Learning Head Teacher serves as the instructional and operational leader of the classroom. This position provides direct supervision to youth ages 3 to 5 while ensuring high quality early learning experiences, staff development, and full compliance with state licensing and YMCA standards.
The Head Teacher creates positive, nurturing relationships with youth and builds cooperative partnerships with families. This role promotes confidence, independence, and peer connection while modeling YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The Head Teacher sets the tone for safety, belonging, and developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom.
Responsibilities
Classroom Leadership and Instruction
- Manages, directs, and coordinates the assigned preschool classroom to ensure a high quality early learning environment
- Leads curriculum planning and implementation aligned with developmentally appropriate practice and Oregon Early Learning standards
- Implements culturally relevant activity plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each youth
- Creates a classroom culture of belonging where every youth and family feels seen, respected, and valued
- Conducts ongoing, systematic observations and assessments to support youth growth and development
Staff Supervision and Development
- Trains, schedules, directs, and supports classroom staff and volunteers
- Provides ongoing coaching, modeling, and feedback to ensure consistent implementation of curriculum, active supervision, and positive behavior guidance
- Reviews and evaluates staff performance and supports professional growth
- Provides staff leadership during Youth Development events and initiatives
Safety, Compliance, and Operations
- Ensures active supervision of youth at all times in alignment with Oregon licensing requirements and YMCA Youth Protection standards
- Maintains compliance with Department of Early Learning and Care regulations, CACFP requirements, and YMCA policies
- Ensures accurate attendance, meal counts, documentation, and record keeping
- Serves as classroom lead during licensing visits and monitoring reviews
- Maintains a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment
- Supports budget stewardship through responsible ordering of supplies and resource management
Family and Community Partnerships
- Builds strong, proactive relationships with families through regular communication and collaboration
- Conducts family conferences as needed and supports individualized plans when appropriate
- Responds to family and community inquiries in a timely and professional manner
- Maintains positive relationships with licensing agencies, school partners, and community organizations
Professional Responsibilities
- Completes all required trainings by assigned deadlines and maintains 15 hours of annual training, with at least 8 hours in child development
- Maintains current CPR and First Aid, Food Handler certification, and required Early Learning Division trainings
- Checks and responds to email and workplace communication regularly
- Acts as a role model to youth and staff in alignment with YMCA values
- Performs other duties as assigned
As a YMCA staff member, you are a representative of our mission and values. Staff are expected to approach conversations with respect, uphold YMCA character values in all interactions, remain open to diverse perspectives, and be accountable for the energy they bring into the workplace.
Minimum
Qualifications
- Meets Teacher qualification requirements as outlined by the Department of Early Learning and Care, including one of the following:
-
- - At least one year or 1,500 hours of qualifying teaching experience in a licensed program, or
-
-
- - At least 750 hours of qualifying teaching experience in a certified preschool, or
-
-
- - Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education, Human Development, Child and Family Studies, or related field
-
- 18 years of age
- Enrolled in the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry
- Experience planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities
- At least one year of supervisory experience
Preferred
Qualifications
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Experience working with diverse populations and inclusive classrooms
Training Requirements
- Adult/Child/Infant CPR & First Aid certification
- Oregon Food Handlers card
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect certificate of completion
- Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety certificate of completion
- Prevention is Better Than Treatment Online certificate of completion
- Acquire 15 hours of training per year, 8 being in child development
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Ability to plan, lead and participate in activities such as sports, games and curriculum activities, and monitor behavior inside and outside
- Must be able to walk, run, stand, sit, kneel and get back to a standing position
- Ability to lift and carry the weight of 50lbs
- General housekeeping: mop/sweep, take the trash out, wash dishes, clean tables, toys, stack and put baskets away and the like
Hours/Days
- Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
- Staff hours will vary depending on the need
- Additional hours on No School Days, training and meetings
At the Eugene Family Y, we are an inclusive organization of people with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. We also believe in supporting the well-being of our employees and offer a free Y membership as a benefit of employment.
Full-time Employee Benefits & Discounts
- Careers | Eugene Family YMCA (eugeneymca.org)
The Eugene Family YMCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
The Eugene Family YMCA is committed to creating an environment of mutual recognition where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The Y believes that diversity, inclusion, and a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace are critical to the achievement of our mission. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form; or contact us at hr@eugeneymca.org or 541-686-9622.
The Y: We're for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
