Why Your Role Matters
Are you a passionate, caring, and reflective early childhood professional who believes that relationships are the foundation of learning? YMCA Tomorrow Academy is seeking dedicated Early Childhood Educators (ECE I & II) to join our team and inspire our youngest learners in an infant, toddler, or preschool classroom. In this role, you will create a warm, safe, and engaging environment where children feel secure, valued, and inspired to explore their world. Grounded in YMCA Playing to Learn, you will approach both curriculum and daily caregiving routines as intentional opportunities to build secure attachment, strengthen self-regulation, and support whole-child development. We are looking for educators who understand that nurturing young children requires professionalism, patience, creativity, and consistency, and who are committed to making a lasting impact during the most critical years of development. This position reports directly to the Director and partners closely with the Associate Director and broader Early Education leadership team to ensure high-quality program delivery, compliance, and continuous improvement.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Provide high-quality care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in alignment with YMCA Playing to Learn.
- Establish and maintain consistent, responsive daily care routines, including feeding, diapering, toileting, grooming, rest time, and transitions, that support children's physical well-being and emotional security.
- Serve as a co-teacher within the classroom team, sharing full responsibility for planning, documentation, supervision, family communication, and daily classroom operations.
- Create and maintain a welcoming, safe, clean, organized, and home-like learning environment that reflects Playing to Learn principles and supports small-group engagement.
- Lead observation-based curriculum planning using the YMCA Playing to Learn process: Observe, Record, Reflect, Plan, Extend.
- Design and implement intentional learning experiences that promote development across language, literacy, math, science, physical development, and social-emotional growth.
- Facilitate consistent small-group experiences that build strong relationships, foster self-regulation, encourage empathy, and support positive peer interactions.
- Develop and demonstrate expertise in Outdoor Learning Environments and nature-based play, intentionally integrating outdoor experiences into daily curriculum planning to support inquiry, appropriate risk-taking, physical development, and connection to the natural world.
- Observe, document, and assess each child's development and progress, maintaining accurate and current records, portfolios, and assessments in alignment with licensing, TRS, and YMCA standards.
- Communicate consistently and professionally with families regarding their child's development, milestones, daily experiences, and any concerns.
- Ensure compliance with Texas Child Care Regulation directives, CACFP guidelines, health and sanitation standards, and YMCA policies.
- Conduct regular safety checks of the classroom and outdoor learning environments to maintain a secure and developmentally appropriate setting.
- Distribute meals and snacks in accordance with USDA, CACFP, sanitation, and safety guidelines.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, team meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Promote YMCA character values, mission, and wellness philosophy in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
- Lead by example in modeling the YMCA's mission, vision, and values with program participants, staff, and guests.
- Serve as an ambassador of the YMCA's work and culture by actively representing the organization's commitment to children and families.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
What You Bring to the Y
- Minimum Requirements for all Early Childhood Educators:
- High School graduate or GED equivalent.
- Experience in a licensed childcare setting preferred.
- Minimum age of 18 years.
- Have or be willing to obtain CPR/first aid certification, a criminal background check, and a food handler certification
- Supportive team player willing to roll up their sleeves
- Able to remain calm and effective under stressful or challenging situations
- Knowledge or experience with emergent curriculum and best practices in early learning preferred
- Availability: You have the availability to work Monday - Friday with a flexible schedule.
ECE I Qualifications
- Experience in a licensed childcare setting preferred
- Hold or actively enrolled in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program reflective of the age group served; OR
- Commit to obtaining the CDA credential within 12 months of hire.
ECE II Qualifications
- Associate or bachelor's degree with a major in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education; or
- Degree in a non-related field with at least 36 college credit hours in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education; or
- State public school certification for children birth through age 8.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk, and occasionally lift and/or move items, including equipment, furniture, and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.